Our book of February is Harold and the Purple Crayon! It is a 1955 children’s book by Crockett Johnson. It led to a series of other books, and inspired many adaptations. The book inspired programmer Petri Purho to create the computer game Crayon Physics Deluxe, The book potentially inspired the kid’s TV show Chalkzone, and has been used frequently in children’s and art education lesson plans. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children”. In 2012 it was ranked number 16 among the “Top 100 Picture Books” in a survey published by School Library Journal.

The protagonist, Harold, is a curious four-year-old boy who, with his purple crayon, has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it. Harold wants to go for a walk in the moonlight, but there is no moon, so he draws one. He has nowhere to walk, so he draws a path. He has many adventures looking for his room, and in the end he draws his own house and bed and goes to sleep.

Harold and the Purple Crayon shows children how far their imagination can take them. The book also teach children on deciphering reality. What it means to be real, and how one gives objects the power of reality.

Need other kinds of children’s book? Just check Adorageek’s other posts!

Book of January: Corduroy