This first one is a winner for sure. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is one of those conceptually unique picture books that kids usually really enjoy. It’s a series of letters written to an unseen boy named Duncan by his crayons, many of which are miffed at him for one reason or another. The perpetually neat purple, for example, is angry because Duncan uses him to color outside the lines. The beige crayon is unhappy because it is only used to color boring things like turkey dinners and wheat (“and let’s be honest–when was the last time you saw a kid excited about coloring wheat?”). Green is happy over all the exciting things he gets to color: crocodiles, trees, dinosaurs, and frogs; however, green crayon asks Duncan to mediate an argument between orange crayon and yellow crayon. The story ends with Duncan really exercising artistic license and very creatively coloring the last two-page spread of the book, thereby earning an “A+ for creativity!” Oliver Jeffers‘ illustrations are exactly what you’d expect in such a book: similar to those of an eight or ten year old, with the crayons taking on personalities of their own. (The publication data at the back of the book includes this line: “The art for this book was made with. . . um. . . crayons.”) I’ll be honest: this is a hard book to read aloud, and it’s not my favorite. The DLM, however, LOVES it (especially the NAKED peach crayon!), and I won’t be a bit surprised to see it shortlisted for a Cybils award. (Philomel, 2013)
If You Want To See a Whale by Julie Fogliano is a book I really want to love because, well, it’s written and illustrated by the same duo that brought us And Then It’s Spring. It’s no secret that I love Erin E. Stead‘s illustrations. Somehow this one doesn’t quite do it for me, and none of my children are enamored with it, either. It’s one of those quiet picture books that isn’t so much a story as it is an observation of things you will have to do or won’t be able to do if you want to see a whale. The star in this book, in my opinion, are the illustrations–quiet and detailed and perfect for the patient observation required for the text. I may be missing something here, but I think this is one that adults will like more than children. (Roaring Press, 2013)
I had much the same thoughts. I didn’t have to read Crayons out loud though, I enjoyed it alone over coffee at the bookstore (while doing some Cybil reading :)). I know my kids will love it too but I agree it’s probably a better giggle-to-youself-alone book than a book enjoyed out loud.
I also really wanted to like the Whale book but felt the same way as you.
The Day the Crayons Quit sounds like it has great potential as a read-aloud. It certainly SOUNDS funny. (Anything described as naked usually is — in a children’s book.) I like how Alice described it as a “giggle-to-yourself” book. I’ll look for it as well because I’m super curious.
I enjoyed the crayon book, even as a read aloud. But I think the best is listening to my 9-year-old read it aloud to my toddler. He is excellent at giving each crayon a unique voice and bringing them to life.