Lit-urday: The Day the Crayons Came Home

I don’t specifically remember giving voice to the plight of my crayons, but I was one of those kids that personified every plastic dinosaur, every trinket, every doll (almost all of them named Bob).

As a parent now, I see and hear those unexpected imaginative moments drifting from my son’s room, and they’re usually equal parts sentimental and hilarious, often stuffed with remarkable observations. Sometimes Wonder Woman saves the day (and the boys); sometimes a plastic lion figure relays to his pride the frightening truth of impending stormtroopers. Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers’ follow-up to huge bestseller The Day The Crayons Quit is like a snapshot of those childhood voiceovers, and it certainly lives up to the international hype - for parents and kids alike. In the words of my 6-year-old, “The Day The Crayons Came Home is hilarious, too!”

Most of us are pretty haphazard with our crayons. These pleas and confessions, these perspectives on abandonment, self-worth, friendship, and wanderlust might just give us pause when throwing out old art supplies … and listening to children's playtime. The new book, perfect for pretty much any age, keeps its central human character, Duncan; its crayon-penned, postcard format once again features the tales of crayons gone wild. These colorful, anthropomorphic beings really just want to come home to their box. Daywalt picks up the argumentative thread of yellow and orange crayon (their story has taken a sun-drenched twist) and introduces new colors like the geographically challenged Neon Red and Pea Green … who shall be known henceforth as Esteban the Magnificent. Gold Crayon stands up for its rights and Tan (“or possibly Burnt Sienna?”) has been through hell and back thanks to the dog. Witty, creative, and visually engaging - complete with a special glow in the dark drawing! - this book is another home run from Daywalt and Jeffers. Bonus: The laugh-out-loud prose presents a great opportunity for parents looking to beef up their reading aloud skills.

The Day the Crayons Came Home
by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Philomel Books, $18.99

Drew Daywalt will be reading from and signing copies of The Day the Crayons Came Home Sun., Sept. 13, 2pm, at BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar. For more information, visit the BookPeople website.