Reader’s Annotation: You're crayons have a message for you! After reading this book, you will think twice before working one color too hard or coloring outside the lines. If your crayons could tell you something, what would they say?
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Age: 3 - 7
Genre/subject: Children's fiction, picture book
Plot Summary: Duncan receives a series of complaints via letters, written by his own crayons. Although the crayons had a lot to say, Duncan actually ends up inspired!
Evaluation: This is a very clever book. I think it may be a bit over a 3-year-old's head. The humor is pretty advanced, although I know many kids can appreciate it. The letters are a bit lengthy, and after a while it gets a bit monotonous reading each one through. The illustrations look like Duncan's artwork, so that perspective is interesting and it helps break up the monotony of the letters.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: Very inventive. The point of view is original. The text itself is in crayon. From an educational perspective, the letter format may be something new for early readers to observe.
Readalikes:
Awards/Lists: #1 New York Times bestseller; Award for Children's Choice (2014)
Links to reviews in professional review sources
http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2013/08/05/review-of-the-day-the-day-the-crayons-quite-by-drew-daywalt/#_
Hook: If your crayons could talk, what would they tell you?
Ideas, Uses: Great to read before doing craft time with crayons! Will really make children muse about their crayons: do they really have feelings? Can they talk?
ISBN: 978-0399255373
Page Count: 40
Format: Hardcover, paperback
Publisher: Philomel Books
