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This book is unsettling. And why can't more children's books be about girls. But the unsettling questions are productive and, I imagine, part of the child's enjoyment of the story.
Where did the crayon come from anyway. I say that this is one very deserving porcupine of a book, and it bristles with unformulated questions that toddlers might think to ask. What is the relation between Harold and other people.
After all, drawing one's own dragons to guard one's own trees is part of the fun. If Harold is home only when he draws it, then where was home beforehand. How could he know to look for it as he grew tired.
Purple.why that exactly. Ah, the sweet mysteries of life that remain to be thought through after the pages have been finished.
I bought this for my son who loves watching Harold and the purple crayon on HBO, so I figured lets try the book and he loves it as well.
This is probably the first children's book I purchased as an adult, as a gift for friends. But his imagination and ingenuity always see him through. I've since read it to my preschool age children, and they've enjoyed it as well. Harold comes across some sticky - even scary - situations - in some of the Purple Crayon stories. A wonderful fantasy for children, who after all live in a world in which they have very little say, but many opportunities to be creative and use their imagination. An important part of any child's library.
Last night I watched as my daughter read this book to my 4 1/2 year old grandson. It is a great book to read to a child at bedtime.
The pictures are pretty simple and the storyline is also very linear so I think she didn't find it as interesting as newer books. She did like the book somewhat but hasn't really loved it as much as other books. I loved this book when I was younger so I jumped at the chance to introduce it to my 3 1/2 year old. Its the 50th year anniversary so you can't go wrong with this classic tale but it can't seem to keep up with the newer flashier books, I think. For example, her favorite books these days are Pinkalicious, Giraffes Can't Dance and Tikki Tikki Tembo. TTT was again one of my favorites as well. As an adult, I think its incredibly clever for Harold to create his world using a crayon and to get out of problems by using his wits and quick drawing ability. Maybe I should have introduced it a year ago.
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