Pistes d'exploration

Create a list of things that are usually specific colours (yellow sun, blue water, etc.), then switch the colours around and draw a picture just as the boy in the story did (e.g. green sun, pink water.) Label the drawing.

Note the spelling of the colour words. Invent sentences (orally) using different colour words. Write sentences with a colour word in each one.

Review the format of letters. Write a letter to your favourite colour crayon, telling what you particularly enjoy using them for.

Write a reply to one of the letters in the book.

Draw a picture or diagram using as many different colours as you can. Add labels.

Review letter format with the class. Write a letter to your favourite colour crayon, telling what you particularly enjoy using him/her for!

Draw a picture or diagram using as many different colours as you can. Add labels. Tell a friend about your drawing.

Look through the various letters and start a bank of expressions such as: it’s not fair, we have to talk, etc.

Look at the way crayons use language to persuade Duncan to do something. Practise these expressions to convince your partner to colour something in a different colour.

Look into your own box of colored pencils and write a letter to complain about or encourage one of them.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, Exclamation Mark, Bagels From Benny, Duck! Rabbit!, Red: A Crayon's Story, Oddrey

Mots-clés

Picture book , colours , crayons , feelings , letters , non-traditional text layout , persuasive writing

Commentaire descriptif

This funny and original book engages children in understanding the perspective of others. When a little boy’s crayons go on strike, they each write him a letter to air their grievances. Yellow and orange, for instance, are in a spat over which is the real colour of the sun, whereas pink claims negligence for not being used enough. The letters of complaint are written as if by an elementary school child just learning to print, giving them a wonderful sense of authenticity. The language used is simple, yet the ideas are sophisticated and humorous. The illustrations present drawings done by the little boy himself, which provide opportunities to discuss the use of colours. The illustrator gives the pencils wonderful facial expressions, which helps to humanize them and express their frustration. This is a great book to read aloud, as each letter can be read in a different voice to convey the different personalities. It carries the message that it is each person’s talents and qualities that make the world so colourful.