Pistes d'exploration

Discuss how labels are used to describe people. Think of examples and decide whether labels are helpful or harmful (or both).

What do the other characters expect from Red because of his label? What are the consequences of these expectations?

Discuss the significance of the design elements of the book including end pages, fonts and background colours.

Rewrite the story as a script. Perform your play for another class.

Discuss how labels are used to describe people. What labels do you use? Are any attached to you? Draw a mind map of their use.

Take note of the crayons' various expressions regarding labels.

Discuss the effects of the red label on the blue crayon. How does he feel? How does the label affect his identity and work?

Use some of the expressions to create a short skit about how labels can affect someone’s life. Present your skit to your peers.

The Day the Crayons Quit

Mots-clés

Picture book , crayons , deconstructing stereotypes , differences , identity , individuality , self-expression

Commentaire descriptif

Red is a blue crayon with the wrong label. Told from the point of view of a pencil, he recounts: “He was red. But he wasn’t very good at it.” Poor Red tries to draw red fire engines but they come out blue. Strawberries? Blue as well. Everyone is concerned and wants to help, but he just cannot get it right. He even messes up collaborations with other colours, making a green ‘orange’ when he is told to go and play with the colour yellow. In the end, it is a new friend who brings out his true colours when Red is invited to draw a blue ocean for a boat. Digital illustrations of the crayon characters, along with scribbly crayon drawings, are equally striking in their graphic qualities. Playful contrasts fill the pages, with backgrounds alternating from black to white. The font is a silvery pencil scrawl, often showing the pencil itself writing and the crayons drawing. Text alternates between the pencil narrator and the voices of the crayons and art supplies. In the end, the pencil writes: “He was blue. And everyone was talking.” The crayons chime in with: “My son is brilliant!” “Who could have known he was blue?” “He’s so intense.” “He’s really reaching for the sky.” A clever, encouraging book about differences and discovering who you truly are.