Children's Treasures From Days Gone By

Module 2: Classic Children's and Young Adult Literature
September 7-13

Harold and the Purple Crayon
By: Crockett Johnson
Ages 2-7

Summary:

This is a beautiful story of a wee little boy who decides to create his own destiny. Harold wants to take a walk in the moonlight one night. Although there isn't any moon and really nowhere to go, Harold grabs a purple crayon and begins drawing his own adventure. He comes across some challenges but uses his head and conquers every obstacle.


My Impressions:

I have always wanted to read this book, but just never stopped for a few moments to do it. It is a very cute story, with a great message. I love how Harold just handles his problems and just quickly devises a viable solution. This story teaches a valuable life lesson.


Reviews:

"Harold’s fiftieth birthday (he appeared in 1955) finds him much the same as ever except for an anniversary sticker and a brighter jumpsuit on the cover. At the time, his creator, Crockett Johnson, was already known for political cartoons in New Masses, his comic strip Barnaby, and pictures for children’s books by his wife Ruth Krauss. In the last decade of his life, Johnson turned to painting large abstracts based on geometric theorems. The paintings are mostly forgotten, but Harold has delighted children for generations with his insouciant look and his big purple crayon, with which he creates an entire universe of imaginative adventures on perfectly blank pages.... Johnson’s style is, as he explained, “simplified, almost diagrammatic for clear storytelling, avoiding all arbitrary decoration.” Baby Harold and his crayon live on--admired by artists like Chris Van Allsburg and Maurice Sendak, praised by critics, loved by children--as a celebration of the power of art and imagination. Ages 2 to 7.-Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature)"


Lesson Plans:

Hand students a single crayon and have them write and illustrate their own 'color' story. Students should think of various problems they encounter in their everyday lives. Using only one crayon, they must first try to find an unusual or far fetched solution to that problem. Next students should find a logical solution the problem. Students should then draw out the problem and both solutions.


Johnson, Crockett. Harold and the Purple Crayon. New York: Harper Collins, 1983.

Talcroft, Barbara, L. "Children's Literature Reviews: Harold and the Purple Crayon". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. September 6, 2009 .