Book Review: The Day the Crayons Quit

I was finally able to get my hands on a copy of Drew Daywalt's best-selling picture book (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers).  It's been on the New York Times best-seller list for 29 weeks and counting.  After reading it, I was both very impressed (especially with the illustrations) and equal parts disappointed, but I set myself up for that by having very high expectations.  I try not to do that, but it inevitably happens, just like Christmas and birthdays.

I want to start with the fact that this book is HILARIOUS! Amongst a series of letters written by a grumpy set of crayons to a little boy named Duncan, these disenchanted crayons have a LOT to complain about.  Red is tired of being overworked, Orange and Yellow argue over whose job it is to color the sun, Purple just wants to stay in the lines, and Pink wants be be known as something other than a girl's color.  I think I've figured out why it is a best-seller: parents love reading it to their kids.  It is one of those kid's books that was written for adults just as much as children, who will find it equally entertaining.

My own personal favorite letter comes from the Peach Crayon:

<<"Hey Duncan,
It's me, PEACH CRAYON. WHY did you peel off my paper wrapping?? Now I'm NAKED and too embarrassed to leave the crayon box.  I don't even have any underwear! How would YOU like to go to school naked?  I need some clothes.  HELP!
Your naked friend, PEACH crayon." >>

The single reason I was disappointed is that this is not a book I find to be conducive to the storytime format.  It is certainly entertaining, funny, and has a very sweet ending, but I can't see myself reading it to a large audience of preschoolers.  It's a bit text heavy for storytime, does not have much opportunity for participation, and doesn't have that much of a plot.  For what it is, however, it's great.  For a large audience, I think I'll skip it; but I will be happily recommending it to parents!