A pen with a mind of its own

Picture books that can please a wide range of ages can be hard to come by, but The Obstinate Pen is a winner. Uncle Flood is excited to start writing his story, but when his new pen chooses to write digs like "You have a big nose!" instead of the words he wants it to write, the pen quickly finds itself flying out the window. The pen goes on a wild adventure in the hands of various adults, all the while telling them what they need to do ("Kiss her, banana head!") or peppering them with more insults, until he finally finds the right owner. Children and adults will find themselves giggling at the insults, the William Steig-like illustrations, and the idea of such a sassy writing utensil. Plus, it's pretty cool when your three-year-old knows the word "obstinate." A fun read for all!