Module 2 - Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Bibliography:

Johnson, Crockett. (1955). Harold and the Purple Crayon. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN: 0060229357

Summary:

Harold is a young boy with a purple crayon and has the ability to create the world around him. He wants to go on a walk in the moonlight, so in need of a moon, Harold draws one and viola! there it is. He then creates a path to follow but soon becomes bored with that so he creates a field to cut across with a forest (but with just one tree in it). This one tree happens to become an apple tree with apples so delicious that Harold creates a dragon to guard them. The next thing he knows, Harold is in the sea, created by his wobbly hand (fear from the dragon of course). But his purple crayon comes to the rescue again with a boat, and later, after landing, a lot of pie. Harold then wants to find his own room and bed and begins searching for it, until finally he remembers that his bedroom window was always around the moon. He draws himself a bed, "drew" up the covers, and goes to sleep. 

Impressions:

I thought this book was very cute and I loved it. It clearly demonstrates the power of creativity and how you can easily create a solution to any problem with just a little creative thinking. The book is simple in its artwork, but very moving at the same time. Its a great adventure to go on again and again, and it will be a fun read each time.

Reviews:

"Anyone who is a child at heart will immediately recognize this timeless story as a loving tribute to the soaring power of our imagination and creativity." 

Alyn, Susan. (n.d.). Future Classics [Review of the book Harold and the Purple Crayon]. Horn Book. Available from http://hbook.com/resources/books/futureclassics.asp

"An ingenious and original picture story in which a small boy out for a walk--happily with crayon in hand--draws himself some wonderful adventures. A little book that will be loved. "

 [Review of the book Harold and the Purple Crayon]. Horn Book. Available from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/harold-and-the-purple-crayon-crockett-johnson/1100058493

Suggestions For Use:

A great use for this book would be to give the children paper and their own purple crayon. The children could then fold the paper, or cut it, to make a booklet and then they could all draw their own adventure. Encourage them to be creative and to have a start and a finish. After the children are done, they can each share their drawings and their story to the rest of the group. You could also give scenarios to the children of Harold being in a tight spot and then ask them to draw with their purple crayon a creative way he could get out of it by drawing with his crayon.