The Crayons' Christmas
By Regan McMahon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Crayons celebrate the season with funny pull-out letters.
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What's the Story?
THE CRAYONS' CHRISTMAS begins as Duncan, the unseen boy, is making Christmas cards with his crayons, and the mail carrier brings a letter, "only it wasn't for him." It's addressed to "Peach Crayon, Apt. 4, Crayon Box, Duncan's Room, on the bookshelf (next to weird pen holder)." It's from that crayon's mom and dad in Florida. Inside the envelope, along with their letter, is a cardboard image of Peach Crayon and several different outfits, including a Santa suit and a reindeer sweater that readers can punch out and use to dress the crayon (like a paper doll). The next day, after they all play in the snow, Duncan brings down a box of Christmas decorations. Readers find things in the box to punch out: Silver Crayon (left in the box since last year), a candy cane, an elf, some ornaments. The next day, the crayons decorate the house and another letter is delivered: this one to Beige Crayon from his dad, who sends along a recipe for gluten-free Christmas cookies, because "I heard you're allergic to gluten now, from coloring in all that wheat." Each letter and all the dialogue is full of wit and inside jokes for fans of the series. The crayons hear from three other crayons who couldn't make it back home for Christmas and Hanukkah. And they color in a big pop-up Christmas tree as a surprise gift for Duncan. "In this season of giving, they decided to give back to the boy who had always given them love, respect, and even a home."
Is It Any Good?
This offbeat holiday story has the same warm and wacky humor of the other books in the Crayons series. It's great to see the old gang back together again in The Crayons' Christmas -- even if some only show up in letters. It's sweet but not overly sentimental, and sly without being snarky.
The crayons' tiny handwriting is a little hard to read in places, but the regular text is big and clear. Parents and caregivers should be able to manage it all for a fun, interactive read-aloud.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the friends spend the holidays in The Crayons' Christmas. What do they do that your family does to celebrate? How much would you miss your family members if they weren't with you for Christmas or Hanukkah?
How crazy is it to think of crayons as having feelings like kids have? Do you ever imagine your toys having experiences when you're not around?
What's fun about this series? Do you look forward to more books about Duncan's crayons? What other travels and adventures could they have?
Book Details
- Author: Drew Daywalt
- Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Book Characters , Friendship , Holidays
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Workshop
- Publication date: November 13, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 52
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: August 4, 2022
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