Malala's Magic Pencil; Malala Yousfzai, illustrated by Kerascoët

Malala Yousafzai is famous around the world. She is the young girl from Pakistan who stood up to the men with the guns and spoke out for what she believed in. In Malala’s Magic Pencil, her incredible life and inspirational story is retold in a picture book which is accessible to younger readers.

All Malala wished for when she was growing up was for a better world. She dreamed of a brighter future in a different world. A world where boys and girls are treated as equals. Where no-one goes hungry, has to suffer the consequences of war or live life without the essentials. Just like Sanju in her favourite TV show Shaka Lake Boom Boom, Malala wished she had a magic pencil. She would use it to erase all the bad things in her world and fill it with all the things that brought her and her family happiness.  But Malala never got her pencil.

Malala is one of the lucky ones though, she gets to go to school. When the bad men stop girls from going to school Malala finds the magic within her to speak out. And her voice would change the world.

Malala’s Magic Pencil is an incredible true story of how one young girl hoped for a better world and found the strength and courage to use her voice to take action. It is one of the best examples of the phrase, ‘Nothing happens unless somebody says something’.

After reading the book, I beg you to read her author’s note. It is powerful and poignant and is an inspirational message to all young readers. Everyone has the power to change the world and we all need to find the strength of Malala to speak up for what we believe in.

Recommended for 5+.