The Pen That Pa Built by David Edwards is a heartwarming tribute to traditional craftsmanship and family spirit. Beginning with the simple pen that Pa built, the story follows the journey of creating a handmade blanket—from shearing the sheep to carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving the wool.

Brought to life by Ashley Wolff’s vibrant illustrations, this book offers a rich visual and historical experience, capturing the essence of 1830s North America and the beauty of making something by hand. An author’s note at the end provides additional context on the historical and natural science aspects of the story.

Recognition:

The Best Children’s Books of the Year 2008, by the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education.