The Obstinate Pen

Author(s): Frank W Dormer

Picture Books

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. . . .


Product Information

"..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) naif 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"

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]

General Fields

  • : 9780805092950
  • : henry holt
  • : henry holt
  • : 0.331
  • : 01 December 2012
  • : 262mm X 211mm X 10mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 01 February 2013
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Frank W Dormer
  • : Hardback
  • : 1
  • : Frank W Dormer
  • : 32
  • : illustrations