The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
          Publisher: Philomel
          Published: June 27, 2013
          Source/Format: Purchased | Hardcover

        Duncan’s crayons have called it quits and presented their demands in the silly and powerful debut, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers.  From Red Crayon (feeling overworked from having to color even on holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day) to Peach Crayon (embarrassed because its paper has ripped, leaving it – gasp! – naked), these colors present their arguments through hilarious and thought-out letters and appropriate illustrations.  But don’t be fooled by the genre – this children’s book will leave parents, as well as their children, laughing and inspired.

          At the start of the story, Duncan searches for his beloved crayons, but instead of the crayons, he finds letters!  Each letter presents a color’s questions, concerns, claims, and sometimes even compliments.  We are taken from color to color, emotion to emotion, as the crayons express their true feelings and plights to Duncan.  Red is overworked and Purple is bored.  Beige feels neglected, while pink feels misunderstood.  Each color describes these feelings through a letter, written in the proper hue, accompanied by a picture on the facing page.  And these crayons are not holding back.  Yet underneath the silliness, there is something deeper – a call for equality and love for each and every color, no matter Duncan’s preferences.  Pink is angry for being considered a “girl color,” and blue is upset because he has gotten so small and stubby from overuse.  Each of these letters brings to mind the idea that we should rid colors of a preconceived identity and let ourselves decide.  Through this, The Day the Crayons Quit celebrates differences and offers examples of how said differences can be celebrated.  And celebrate is exactly what Duncan does, in a concluding illustration that is both vibrant and poignantly original.

            Packed with charm, humor, and meaning, The Day the Crayons Quit is an instant classic, destined to add color and creativity to any story time.

                               See what the experts are saying… 

“I like the end the best because he uses all the colors, and I love all the colors too!”  –Aidan, age 4

“Gray Crayon is my favorite because there is a BIG elephant!” –Owen, age 4

“Pink is nice and wants us all to be friends.”  –Molly, age 4

“Why isn’t Peach Crayon wearing any clothes?  That’s silly.”  -Veronica, age 4

“Red Crayon! FIRETRUCKS!” –Jamie, age 3