Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
I hope this is not a repeat. Sometimes my “random” pick up books at the library blurs with the PPBF list pick ups. I love this book!
Red A Crayon’s Story
Author and Illustrator Michael Hall
Green willow Books, 2015
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Theme/Topic: Labels, Colors, Fitting in, Being Yourself
Opening Spreads:
He was red … [page turn]
But he wasn’t very good at it.
[A side comment from Olive crayon “Oh dear.”]
Brief Synopsis: From the Michael Hall’s site — Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let’s draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He’s blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone!
Resources: An activity sheet from the publisher.
Why I Like This: Red tries to fit in. The label clearly says Red, but his color is not red. Michael Hall uses simple drawings to show how Red is trying. Eventually, the color Berry, gives Red an opportunity to shine and be himself. Pencil makes a wonderful narrator too! I love the story, the illustration, the asides from the other crayons to pull you through the story. This is a fun one to read and study!
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
Happy Spring!
This story sounds great. I like how everyone rallies around Red, trying to help him be red. I’ve got a great crayon story too where different coloured crayons write to the child, having a whinge about how he does or doesn’t use them. It’s really funny. Will review it next Friday!
This book shows there are so many fun ways to share stories through crayons.
I think RED is great. I worry that being pubbed so soon after THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT will impact its ability to reach little readers, but maybe they will float to the top of the heap together! It has a great message.
Oh, I hope RED floats to the top on a blue ocean Cathy. This book is so very different to me that I hope others will see it. Hopefully, parents will be like … crayons my kids will like this … and it will find its way into reading routines.
This sounds like another keeper! Kids LOVE to color and colors attach so beautifully to so may things; feelings, mood, temperament. Comparing and contrasting to The Crayon Box That Talked or The Day The Color Quit is sure to make for interesting reflection and critical analysis for our littles. Thanks for a new title … off to look for it now!
I don’t think I’m familiar with those two titles Barbara. I’ll have to find them. Lots of wisdom in our crayon boxes. They make a great vehicle for storytelling.
Haven’t seen this book. Like the theme of being true to yourself. Very important message for kids. There are 3-4 books out now about crayons, each with a little different twist.
True Patricia. Everyone one has a little different twist.
Interesting. Another crayon book. Just shows we can come at a subject with a different angle, and still be creative. I’ll check that one out, too. Thanks, Stacy!
That’s the funny thing Jarm. I thought when I saw it “another crayone book,” but it really is sooo different than other ones. It’s funny. Fairly sparse text. I hope this one becomes a classic.
Sounds like a wonderful story of staying true to yourself. Thank you for sharing.
Yes. It’s a good one Joyce.
I haven’t seen this one yet, tsk, tsk. This one sounds like a more traditional book. Will be looking for it!
Hope you find it Wendy. It’s a good one.
I love colors and being TRUE to our colors. Great concept 🙂
It is a great concept on several levels Sue.
It is a great concept on several levels Sue.
I just read this book. It’s awesome! So creative. I gave it to a nephew for his birthday. We’ve all felt a little “blue” at some time or another, I’m thinking….
I agree creatives. There are so many layers to this book. It’s a great one to study. I’m sure your nephew will enjoy it. Enzo liked this one too.
When I first saw this in the book store, I thought it was Drew Daywalt’s book, but after reading it there is no comparison. I think this one is stupendous. Thanks for sharing it with PPBF readers!
I agree Joanne no comparison to Drew Daywalt’s book. I do love this one and hope that people give it the reading time it deserves.
Now I am wondering if I have a true inner color. My daughter can’t understand that I have two favorites, but I must just be a true Gemini! Nice pick, Stacy!
I totally get having two favorites. 🙂
I was wondering the same as Cathy, as clearly when his publisher accepted the manuscript Drew’s book hand’t been published. That said, this sounds quite unique and excellent.
I do hope that people don’t dismiss this due to Drew Daywalts The Day the Crayons Quit. I don’t think it is anything like it. Proof that there is room for books using a similar “vechicle/crayon.”
I haven’t seen this, but it sounds perfectly charming. I’m definitely going to check it out. Thanks for the review.
“perfectly charming” is a great way to describe it.
I love this book – I especially love the illustration of the crayon with the red label. And the whole “try more to be red” attitude. Yeah… we is who we is, and “trying to be more like (fill in the blank) just won’t work. Great review, Stacey!
It’s a great study on how to tell a story with a unique pov. 🙂
Love the message of this and its unique pov. Great choice Stacy.
I know there’s a message in the book, but it’s more entertaining than “message-y.”
I wondered the same thing about this and THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT but figured the way the publishing world works (slow from deal to publications) that this wasn’t a “copycat” type deal but that both were in the works at the same time. I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for featuring it.
I didn’t check all that Penny. I just know I love this story. I never assume anything’s a copycat, because as you said it can be slow. That’s why I always struggle with reading too many book deal announcements. Do you drop working on a story, because something similar is being published or do you write your story and … who knows what you will produce? 🙂
I just read this a couple of weeks ago; it’s definitely a cute and memorable story (and unfortunately might be outshined by CRAYONS as others have mentioned).
Thank you for the great review! I am now waiting patiently on hold for this book from my library. It is quite popular! I’m looking forward to reading it with my family.