Red A Crayon’s Story
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!