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sols: new book love

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** Sorry if you visited earlier and received an error message.  Apparently it is NOT a good idea to leave out any devices with open windows when curious three year olds like to press buttons on EVERYTHING! Yes, this post was deleted . . . with no one to blame but myself!  (Grr...) But with some patience and research, I was able to retrieve and repost -- working on editing! Whew!  That's another post! **


Ah, new book love.  To fall in love with a new book is a feeling like no other.

This has already made my "top ten picture book list" (#pb10for10). And that is a tough list to get on.  Imagine narrowing your most favorite, prized picture books to a list of ten.  Then that you can't live or teach without.  Yes, ten!  (A little plug for my friends Cathy and Mandy who lead this adventure in August! Check it out HERE and start getting your list ready to share!)

I first heard about this book on Twitter.  Or maybe Goodreads.  I can never keep track where I learn about new books, but I quickly logged into my library account and the book was so new, it was listed "IN PROCESSING."  That means that I would be the first to check it out!

I picked this book up at the library a couple days later.  We lugged our book bag home and started to empty it when P. pulled it out, intrigued, and asked me to read it to her.  I, of course, could not say no.

"Oh, that's a new book! I want to read it too!" I responded as we snuggled onto the couch together.  M. slowly made her way over by us to see what all the noise was about.

We slowly cracked open the new spine like a good morning stretch to get it primed for the thousands of more times that it would be read.

We giggled.

We laughed.

I think I may have even snorted.

This is a book to add to your library at home and at school!  And an awesome mentor text for personification, point of view, and persuasive writing. (Only downside: the script font used can be hard for our younger readers!)

Oh, you want to know what book I'm talking about? Yes?  This little gem - now a #1 NY Times Bestseller!
The Day the Crayons Quit
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Published June 27, 2013 by Philomel.
Yes, the crayons quit. And they let Duncan, their coloring owner, know exactly what their issues were - well, all except green crayon.  He's happy with his situation.  Each crayon wrote a letter to Duncan expressing their concerns.  Quite amusing from their point of view!

Now, my turn to try it out - a crayon writing to my three year olds:

Dear artist-in-training,

I know you are new at this coloring thing.  I also know purple is your favorite color and that's why I get used a lot.  I'm happy that I'm the first crayon selected from the box, but can I be honest with you?  You are squeezing me too hard when you color. I just worry that I will break in half.  I've seen it happen to many of my color friends.  I know your mom says it's okay when a crayon breaks because it still colors, but do you understand how it could change my life?  Forever?  A crayon is just not treated the same once it is broken.  I've seen it all -- broken crayons get lost in the couch, thrown in the random big box of broken crayons, or the worst -- thrown in the garbage never to be seen from again!

Thanks for letting me get that out in the open. I feel better and I hope you will loosen your grip.

Your too-squeezed friend,
Purple Crayon


We have read this book about ten times.  And they want to read it ... now!  I'm off to read this new book love again!

Comments

  1. Sounds like a winner - thanks for sharing

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  2. Sounds like a great book even for 4th graders which is the grade I teach. I can see this as a persuasive mentor text. I will have to look for it.

    I immediately thought about the crayon that never gets used, the one who is always picked last or gets left out, the one who sits in the box by themselves. I think many kids could relate to this crayon.

    I have a box of crayons at school that have been donated by students at the end of the year. It is a community box and I am curious to look in there and see what color is the one that never gets used...might just have to do that today!

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  3. Sounds like a really fun book! I need to go to the library today. Will definitely look for this one!

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  4. What a great book to use for point-of -view. How original is this! Love your letter to your child as well.

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  5. I just bought this book yesterday and had the same reaction. It's funny, well-written, and a terrific mentor text. I can't wait to share it with my students in the fall.

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  6. Love this book! Love this post!

    I had to laugh at the letter to the artist in training. That's quite a plea to stay in one place. What great details you've added about what happens to broken crayons....so true.

    Can't wait for #pb10for10. I wonder how many times we'll see this title?

    Cathy

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  7. As usual you have inspired me to find my way to a new book! Hmmm wonder when I will be able to place a new book order??? ;-)

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  8. I'll head to the library site right now to request this delightful book. I know exactly what you mean when you say that you can't keep track of where you learn about new books. Regardless of how I learned about it, I'm always excited when a new book is waiting for me at the library.

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  9. Fun! I enjoyed hearing about how you three were able to experience the book together for the first time.

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  10. We talked about this book at my Writing Project Summer Institute! It's such a delightful concept, and I loved the writing you played with because of it!

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  11. So glad you were able to retrieve your post. Hopefully the book will be waiting for us when we get there in another week. I could hear your "purple crayon" crying out for some consideration and care. And why is it so difficult for us to use those broken crayons - it's just not the same. My "blue crayon" says "Take me, use me to color a beautiful sky and ocean, create some different colored flowers. I'm all about calming and relaxing". Love ya M

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  12. I had seen this title but now I feel like I "know" this book. Can't wait to check it out myself. Thanks!

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