ALA Booklist (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

One lucky day, Stewart picks up Craig, a pen lying on the ground, and it becomes his best friend! They both like doodling, getting autographs, and sword fighting. Occasionally they argue, but mostly they look out for each other until . . . Stewart loses his buddy. He searches everywhere, at home, at school, and even at the police station, but no luck. Finally, a cheerful postcard arrives from Craig, explaining that a nice boy on his way to the airport found him and they flew to Japan, where they live now. Relieved, Stewart happily writes back to his old friend, now his pen pal. Adults will probably see that last joke coming, while kids may need an explanation of the term, but most will enjoy the book's sly, occasionally edgy humor, along with its heartening portrayal of the importance of a friend in a child's life. The concise, witty text works seamlessly with Edwards' illustrations, which feature strong, expressive black-line drawings washed with colors that show up well on the white pages. An inviting, amusing picture book.

Kirkus Reviews

Almost everyone has a best friend, but the truly lucky among us find a best pen.Stewart and his best pen, Craig, met at camp last summer and became inseparable. It all started with a few letters home and grew into a friendship full of drawing, sword fights, fake mustaches, and even ransom notes (don't worry, his sister's doll makes it back in time for tea). But everyone who has a favorite pen knows that sometimes it gets lost and you can't replace it with just anything. Dad's pencil just won't do, and the police lost-and-found proves to be zero help. Stewart looks everywhere for his best pen and can't find it anywhere. It's pen-demonium, if you will. Ultimately, Stewart ends up finding Craig in the most unlikely of places, bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion. The cartoon illustrations are surprisingly funny, depicting Craig as a cheap ballpoint with googly eyes atop an expressive face, arms, and a limber body. He's not the only anthropomorphic writing tool in the book; Edwards' world is full of them—a pen and pencil slump dejectedly next to their kids in detention, for instance. Kids will love seeing the shenanigans that Stewart and Craig get into as well as reading their humorous letters. Stewart and his family have beige skin; he and his dad both have straight, black hair.A cute ode to the written word and the joy of having a favorite pen and pal. (Picture book. 6-8)

School Library Journal (Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

K-Gr 3 This is no ordinary pen. First off, his name is Craig. Secondly, he is about three feet tall. And, most important, he is Stewart's best friend. They occasionally play pranks on each other. They do indeed argue, "But they are always there for each other." So you can imagine how devastated the boy is when Craig goes missing. Then an air mail envelope addressed to Stewart arrives from Japan. Apparently, Craig had fallen out of his school bag; a "nice boy named Tadashi" found him and took him to the airport and then home. So now, "They live very, very, very far apart/but they still share everything with each other./And they are still best friends, but now they are also pen pals!" The engaging, well-chosen text pairs perfectly with the hilarious cartoon illustrations. Just as Stewart wears his red baseball cap backwards, Craig wears his blue pen cap turned around. The mischievous writing tool draws a mustache on his sleeping friend, who gets revenge by switching his blue cap with a dinosaur lampshade. This is a great read-aloud with lots of kid appeal and a strong message. VERDICT An excellent choice for units about friendship or pen pals as well as for some lighthearted bibliotherapy when a friend moves away. Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools