In this imaginative tale, poor Duncan just wants to color. But his crayons have other plans. One by one, they’ve written letters expressing their frustrations. Red is overworked. Beige feels boring. Pink wants more screen time. And Peach? Well, let’s just say Peach is feeling a little exposed.
Told entirely through humorous “letters” from each crayon, this book gives voice to feelings young children may recognize but not yet know how to express. It’s a clever, accessible way to help kids identify emotions like frustration, jealousy, pride, and loneliness, all through the relatable lens of crayons
What’s the Story About?
Even though the humor appeals to adults too, preschool-aged children resonate deeply with the crayon characters. Each color feels like it has its own little personality. It’s perfect for sparking discussions around feelings, fairness, and friendship.
Educational Benefits:
- Social-Emotional Learning: Kids learn that it’s okay to speak up. They learn that everyone’s feelings are valid, even if you’re a crayon.
- Creative Thinking: Encourages children to see things from new perspectives. It also encourages children to be imaginative with color choices (think a pink dinosaur).
- Early Literacy Skills: Written in letter format, the book introduces kids to written communication. It’s also a fun, new storytelling style.
Conversation Starters
After reading, ask questions like:
- Which crayon do you feel like today?
- Have you ever felt like Blue or Red? What helped you feel better?
- If your toys could talk, what might they say?
These open-ended questions help preschoolers make personal connections to the story and practice identifying emotions in themselves and others.
Activity Ideas to Extend the Story
Want to bring this book to life at home? Try one of these simple, screen-free activities:
- Crayon Feelings Craft: Have your child draw faces on crayons to show different emotions. Ty happy, sad, frustrated, and excited. Talk about when they have felt those emotions too.
- Color Outside the Lines Challenge: Invite your child to use “unexpected” colors. Think pink suns, purple grass, or green bears. Encourage them to break the rules and ask them to explain how they picked each color.
- Letter Writing Prompt: Help your child write a “letter” from a favorite toy or crayon. This builds empathy and early writing skills.
Share With US!
Did your child create a silly crayon drawing or write a letter from their toy? Share it with us on Instagram! Tag @smartplayforprek! We love seeing your little learners in action.
Looking for more book-based play ideas?
Follow along every Wednesday for our Bookworm Wednesdays series where we share a favorite read-aloud book! We will share playful ways to bring it to life at home.
