Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny tale about rabbit and his new sinister crayon.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CREEPY CRAYON! follows another story about Jasper Rabbit's life. This time, he's struggling in school. Failing every subject except art, Jasper needs help. One day, while on a walk, he finds a crayon that is, "Purple. Pointy. And perfect." While at first the crayon seems like the best solution to all his troubles, as it aces every quiz and and completes every project for him, things take a turn. Jasper starts feeling creeped out by the crayon's pushiness and attempts to discard it. The purple crayon isn't so easily dismissed, and keeps reappearing. He starts feeling guilty for being rewarded for achievements that aren't his own. Will Jasper ever out-trick the crayon, or will he be stuck with it forever?
Is It Any Good?
This book is a funny edition to the Creepy! series. Author Aaron Reynolds doesn't disappoint, as he continues Jasper's story in Creepy Crayon! The book's grayscale illustrations add a mysterious and eerie feeling to the funny storyline. While written to entertain young readers, the book does have important life lessons. Jasper's story reminds us all that taking the easy way out isn't always best.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purple crayon in Creepy Crayon! Why do you think Jasper was excited to have the crayon at first? Why did his thoughts and feelings change?
Jasper becomes afraid of his crayon. Is there anything you're afraid of? If so, what? Why do you think it's scary?
How many colors do you count throughout the book's illustrations? Why do you think the author-illustrator didn't make the story very colorful?
Book Details
- Author: Aaron Reynolds
- Illustrator: Peter Brown
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Character Strengths: Integrity
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: August 23, 2022
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 13, 2022
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