Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)

Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)
by Crockett Johnson

Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)
List Price: $6.99
Our Price: $2.75
You Save: $4.24 (61%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.95 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Crockett Johnson
Illustrator: Crockett Johnson
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1981-05-20
ISBN: 0064430227
Number of pages: 64
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Reviews of Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)

Book Review: Fun book but maybe not as exciting?
Summary: 3 Stars

I loved this book when I was younger so I jumped at the chance to introduce it to my 3 1/2 year old. She did like the book somewhat but hasn't really loved it as much as other books. For example, her favorite books these days are Pinkalicious, Giraffes Can't Dance and Tikki Tikki Tembo. TTT was again one of my favorites as well. The pictures are pretty simple and the storyline is also very linear so I think she didn't find it as interesting as newer books. Its the 50th year anniversary so you can't go wrong with this classic tale but it can't seem to keep up with the newer flashier books, I think. As an adult, I think its incredibly clever for Harold to create his world using a crayon and to get out of problems by using his wits and quick drawing ability. Maybe I should have introduced it a year ago?

Summary of Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)

One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn't any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on. So he drew a path...

And thus begins one of the most imaginative and enchanting adventures in all of children's books. The creative concept behind this beloved story has intrigued children and kept them absorbed for generations, as page by page unfolds the dramatic and clever adventures of Harold and his purple crayon.


"One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you. Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won't get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger.

Crockett Johnson's understated tribute to the imagination was first published in 1955, and has been inspiring readers of all ages ever since. Harold's quiet but magical journey reminds us of the marvels the mind can create, and also gives us the wondrous sense that anything is possible. (Ages 4 to 8)

General Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in My son's favorite books, from ages 0-3
Tikki Tikki Tembo ImageTikki Tikki Tembo
Square Fish; Published: 2007-04-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.57
Price in other shops: $6.95
Blueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins) ImageBlueberries for Sal (Picture Puffins)
by Robert McCloskey
Puffin; Published: 1976-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.85
Price in other shops: $7.99
Make Way for Ducklings ImageMake Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
Penguin Group USA; Published: 1999-02-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.98
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (With CD) ImageMike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (With CD)
by Virginia Lee Burton
Houghton Mifflin; Sandpiper; Published: 2006-10-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.94
Price in other shops: $9.95
Angus and the Ducks ImageAngus and the Ducks
by Marjorie Flack
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); Published: 1997-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.21
Price in other shops: $5.95
Angus Lost ImageAngus Lost
by Marjorie Flack
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); Published: 1997-09-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.53
Price in other shops: $5.95
One Child One Seed ImageOne Child One Seed
by Kathryn Cave, Oxfam
Frances Lincoln Childrens Books; Published: 2003-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.80
Price in other shops: $8.81
George Shrinks ImageGeorge Shrinks
by William Joyce
Laura Geringer Books; Published: 2000; Hardcover; Book
The Story of Babar ImageThe Story of Babar
by Jean De Brunhoff
Egmont Books Ltd; Published: 2008-01-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.06
Price in other shops: $8.81
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Book& CD) ImageChicka Chicka Boom Boom (Book& CD)
by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault
Little Simon; Published: 2006-10-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.40
Price in other shops: $10.99
Similar Books and other products
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? ImageBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr.
INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR; Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); Published: 1996-09-15; Board book; Book
Best price: $3.93
Price in other shops: $7.95
The Very Hungry Caterpillar ImageThe Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
Ingram Book & Distributor; Philomel; Published: 1994-03-23; Board book; Book
Best price: $4.38
Price in other shops: $10.99
Goodnight Moon ImageGoodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
HarperFestival; Published: 1991-09-30; Board book; Book
Best price: $4.79
Price in other shops: $8.99
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom ImageChicka Chicka Boom Boom
by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault
Beach Lane Books; Published: 2000-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.10
Price in other shops: $7.99
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business ImageCaps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
by Esphyr Slobodkina
Harper Collins Publishers; HarperCollins; Published: 1987-10-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.04
Price in other shops: $6.99
The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD ImageThe Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD
by Shel Silverstein
HarperCollins; Published: 2004-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.82
Price in other shops: $18.99
Corduroy ImageCorduroy
Viking Juvenile; Published: 1968-03-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops: $16.99
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs ImageCloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
by Judi Barrett
Aladdin; Published: 1982-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.12
Price in other shops: $6.99
Where the Wild Things Are ImageWhere the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS; Harper Collins; Published: 1988-11-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops: $17.95
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day ImageAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst
Ingram Book & Distributor; Aladdin; Published: 1987-07-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.26
Price in other shops: $7.99
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories