The Obstinate Pen [Hardcover]

Frank W. Dormer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 10, 2012 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 380L (What's this?)

This is what Uncle Flood wants to write with his new pen:

 

The following story is all true.

 

But the pen does not write that sentence. Instead it writes:

 

You have a big nose!

 

Who knows what to do with a pen that has a will of its own?

 

Not Uncle Flood.

 

Not Officer Wonkle.

 

But young Horace has an idea. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a surefire readaloud selection…”--BCCB

 

"In the hands of any person even remotely not to the pen's liking, it will write only such words as it wishes. These, to the delight of the reader, tend to be both comically candid and scathingly insulting."--Wall Street Journal

 

“In telling the clever story of a pen with a mind of its own, Dormer bridges the gap between youthful precocity and adult sophistication, and makes a very good point about artistic inspiration along the way.”--New York Times

"Children will enjoy the warm humor and silly-but-smart writing in this book..."--School Library Journal

“A book as much fun to engage as it is simply to follow.”-Kirkus

"...in this congenial company [the obstinate pen] finds its true purpose in life.”--Horn Book, starred

Praise for Socksquatch:

“Dormer’s hilarious, spot-on watercolor-and-ink illustrations make a monsterful hit with Socksquatch.” —School Library Journal

“The writing debut of illustrator Dormer has plenty of comic sensibility to go along with his signature scratchy line-and-watercolor illustrations. . . . While youngsters will definitely enjoy listening to this one in a crowd, don’t be surprised if they borrow it afterwards to reenact with a friend.” —BCCB

“Dormer’s (Supersister) naïf cartooning and simple silliness make this the kind of book that will probably get requested again and again.” —Publishers Weekly

“All expectations fall at the feet of the monsters, and they do not disappoint.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

About the Author

Frank Dormer graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in illustration. 

He now divides his time between teaching and book illustration. He has created art for several children's books, including Socksquatch, his first book as both an author and illustrator. [frankwdormer.com]

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (April 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805092951
• ISBN-13: 978-0805092950
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Dormer likes to draw monsters and dinosaurs. His wife would like him to help with the dishes once in a while, but drawing dinosaurs is hard work. Once a dinosaur tried to step on his drawing pad, and Frank had to throw some popcorn at the other end of the room so the dinosaur would move. True story.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Silly Cute April 28, 2012

By Valerie A. Baute

Format:Hardcover

If you don't want to know what happens in this book, don't read this first paragraph. Otherwise known as *spoiler alert* Uncle Flood has a new pen. He is excited to use his new pen to write a story. Unfortunately, the pen has a mind of its own and instead wants to insult Uncle Flood. Of course this upsets Uncle Flood, and the pen ends up outside, right by a police officer. The police officer is happy to have the pen so that he can write a woman a ticket. The pen, on the other hand, thinks the police officer should kiss the woman. He obliges and gets rid of the pen. It ends up in the hands of Mrs. Norkham Pigeon-Smythe (like I could make that up!)who happens to be quite rich. She seems to sense that there is something special about the pen and is excited to use it to write her memoir. Instead of writing what she wants, about her lush life, the pen writes "Mrs. Floofy Pants has a spoon up her nose!" Most people would be upset about this. Not her. She thinks it's hilarious. After it writes some other funny notes, she puts it away somewhere no one would see it. Of course it then breaks out and is picked up by Uncle Flood's nephew, Horace. Wonder what he is going to try to write and what that obstinate pen is going to really write. Nope, he draws instead, and the pen lets him.

This story is funny, cute, and sweet. The words the pen actually writes are hilarious, and the reactions of the characters using it are pretty funny as well. Uncle Flood seemed to get what he deserved, the police officer's part was sweet, but Mrs. Norkham Pigeon-Smythe was hands down my favorite. While the ending was cute, it wasn't what I expected and seemed anti-climatic to me. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but the ending sort of fell flat for me. It didn't ruin the book, but it kept it from being a classic. I do really love the illustrations in the book, simple and silly.

Fair warning for people who do not like books with name-calling, there is plenty of it in here. Most of it is very harmless, and I don't see too many kids picking up the sayings and using them. My personal favorite is "banana head." Most of the stuff is so silly that I think kids will just laugh and move on.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kiss That Pen! April 30, 2012

By Deborah Freedman

Format:Hardcover

Seriously, how could anyone NOT like a book with this title? And if you don't like it... well then, as The Pen might say, "you are a yam-headed organ grinder".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You Have A Big Nose May 11, 2012

By Catherine W. Hughes

Format:Hardcover

Children, ages 4-8, will love this humorous picture book about a pen that won't behave. As each person tries to write a sentence, the pen writes a funny message of its own. The obstinate pen continues to frustrate its writers, until it finds a comfortable pair with a young boy, named Horace.