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Jenna Cody

Professor Sidney

ECE 260

30 March 2022

Fantasy

Book Title: Red: A Crayon’s Story.

Author: Michael Hall.

Genre: Children’s Literature, Fantasy Fiction.

Illustrator: Michael Hall.

Publication: New York: Greenwillow, 2015.

● Style and Language: The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, possesses a multitude

of literary devices. The main literary device employed throughout the story is

personification. Michael Hall personified the crayons and art supplies within the

children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story. Personification is when human characteristics

are applied to something that is not human. This is implicated through the actions of the

art tools in the story. Art supplies are not able to talk or gossip. The human characteristic

of talking and gossiping is applied to the various artistic tools within the story. Applying

personification to inanimate objects allows the story to take on fictional elements. Since

in reality, inanimate objects are not actually able to talk or gossip. This fantasy aspect

allows children to become more enthralled by the story. Fantasy elements are able to

entertain and engage children in stories with ease. The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s

Story, possesses sentences of shorter lengths. This allows children to more easily follow

and comprehend the story. Longer sentence structures often allow children to get lost in
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the text, ultimately impeding their engagement in the story. There is no discernable

rhyming scheme or rhyming pattern within the children’s book. However, the children’s

book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, contains rich dialogue for children. The story introduces

children to a plethora of different vocabulary words through the dialogue. This is

exemplified in the text, “ … Frankly, I don’t think he is very bright. Well I think he’s

lazy. … Really apply himself! …” (Hall, 2015). The above text elucidates the

introduction of different vocabulary words. Within the text, children are acquainted with

different adjectives. Through the context of the dialogue, children are able to learn the

definitions of different adjectives. For example, the aforementioned text defines the

adjectives “bright” and “lazy” for the children through the dialogue. The children’s book,

Red: A Crayon’s Story, is very insightful. It elucidates the importance of discovering and

staying true to one’s own self through literary devices and dialogue.

● Characters: The main character in the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, is Red.

The children’s book employs the main characterization of Red throughout the story. The

wholeness of the book focuses on the actions of Red. The storyline aims attention at Red.

The children’s book exemplifies the distress of the crayons. Every crayon in the story

possesses concern regarding Red’s performance. This elucidates that Red is the main

character since the storyline fixates on his struggles. The reader can relate to the main

character, Red since he faces an identity crisis. Every person has their own identity,

however, one may struggle staying true to oneself. This turmoil in regards to pursuing

one’s own unique route allows the reader to relate to the main character, Red. There are

numerous supporting characters within the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story. The
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narrator, Pencil, is one of the supporting characters. Other supporting characters include

the Crayons, Tape, and Scissors.

● Plot: The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, starts with the introduction of Red.

The readers discover that the crayon, Red, struggles at being a “red” crayon. As the story

continues, multiple crayons try to help Red become a better crayon. Scarlet, Red’s

teacher, tries having him practice illustrating red strawberries. However, Red ultimately

fails to draw red strawberries. Olive, Red’s mother, tries having Red mix with other

colors to help his performance, however, he again is faced with failure. Red’s

grandparents try dressing Red up for self portraits in red, hoping this will assist in his

performance. Sadly, Red fails to illustrate himself as red. Since Red kept failing to

perform well, it allowed the crayons to gossip. Each crayon had something to discuss

regarding Red’s performance. Still failing to perform, other art supplies step in to try and

help Red. Tape, Scissor, and Pencil all attempted at helping Red, however, all of their

efforts were for nothing. Red still failed to perform adequately. As time went on, Red met

the crayon Berry. This crayon politely asked Red to draw him a blue ocean. Red, hesitant

at first, ultimately decided to help Berry. Red then discovered he was able to draw a blue

ocean successfully. Red went on to illustrate a plethora of blue-colored items. This

allowed Red to discover his true blue identity.

● Setting: The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, takes place in an artist’s workspace.

This is employed through the different art supplies that are mentioned within the story.

By the author mentioning different art supplies, it alludes to the story taking place in an

artistic environment. A setting where crayons, paper, pencil, scissors, tape, etc. would be

present. However, the setting being an artist’s workspace is never explicitly stated; it is
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implied through the context of the storyline. There is no apparent time period for the

children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story.

● Theme: The theme for the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, is identity crisis. The

children’s book elucidates that it is important to be true to oneself. Throughout the story,

it is employed that one should pursue his or her own unique route. The children’s book

exemplifies that one should not allow the comments of others to hinder his or her own

self-expression. This ideology is employed throughout the storyline. Red struggles to

identify himself in society. He was labeled a “red” crayon, therefore, he tries to operate

like a red crayon. However, Red is actually a blue crayon. Once he discovers that he is a

blue crayon, he embraces his true self and pursues his own unique route.

● Illustrations: The illustration style in the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story,

expresses that of naive art. The children’s book exemplifies this artistic style through the

colorful doodles within the story. Each of the pages is filled with child-like illustrations.

Every drawing depicted is done so with bright colors. The children’s book, Red: A

Crayon’s Story, is the artistic media painterly. The illustrator utilizes pencils, crayons,

paint, etc. to curate the different drawings in the story. Within the children’s book, Red:

A Crayon’s Story, there appears to be detailed line work. The crayons are drawn with

vertical and horizontal lines. The illustrator utilizes these lines in his artwork to employ

the ages of the characters within the story. The longer the vertical lines, the younger the

crayon. The shorter the vertical lines, the older the crayon. This is just one example that

alludes to how the illustrator utilized lines in his illustrations. Throughout the story, each

of the illustrations presented depicts more of a curved shape. These types of shapes give

way to more naturalistic artwork. This more natural shaping allows the reader to imagine
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that the illustrations were drawn with actual crayons as well as depicting things as they

appear in nature. The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, has a bright and vast color

pallet. Within the children’s book, almost every color is represented. This is due to the

fact the storyline is about crayons. Each crayon is a different color, therefore, these

different colors are depicted in the illustrations. The bright colors allow the children’s

book to be more entertaining and engaging. The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story,

has a smoother texture. This type of texture allows the story to be more inviting. Lastly,

the page design for the children’s book alternates page to page. Every other page

switches from being either white or black. The white pages display the illustrations of

Red, whereas the black pages focus more on the dialogue and introduction of characters.

Overall, the alternating pages and organization allow for more engagement.

● Theory: The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, most accurately illustrates

Erikson’s stage, Identity vs. Confusion. This book is best suited for middle schoolers.

The children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, employs the importance of discovering and

staying true to one’s identity. Red tries to fit into society's expectations rather than being

true to himself. Once he discovers his true identity blue, he embraces and celebrates his

true self. He pursues his own unique route. This ideology exemplifies Erikson’s stage,

Identity vs. Confusion. This stage emphasizes exploring one’s independence. The

Identity vs. Confusion stage also focuses on developing a sense of self and staying true to

oneself.

● Book extensions for the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall.

○ Standards:
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■ Reading Standards for Information - Grade 1 - #2: Identify the main topic

and retell key details of a text.

■ Reading Standards for Information - Grade 1 - #7: Use illustrations and

details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

○ Objectives:

■ The students will be able to identify the main idea of the children’s book,

Red: A Crayon’s Story, with 90% accuracy.

■ The students will be able to express their identity through illustrations and

words with 90% accuracy.

○ Materials:

■ The book, Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall

■ 8.5 in x 11-inch printer paper

■ Drawing utensils i.e. colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc.

○ Teachings: Upon the completion of the read aloud of the children’s book, Red: A

Crayon’s Story. As a whole group, we will discuss the theme of the children’s

book, Red: A Crayon’s Story. Students will learn about the importance of

discovering one’s identity. They will learn how to be true to themselves. After the

whole group discussion, students will be asked to create a circle map. The

students will be asked to brainstorm about all the different things that make them

unique. This can include race, ethnicity, gender, interests, hobbies, likes, dislikes,

etc. After completing the circle map, students will be asked to illustrate

themselves on another piece of paper. Within this illustration, the students will be

instructed to draw different items listed in their brainstorming of themselves.

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Hopefully, through both the circle map and the illustration children will discover

their identity and pursue their unique routes.

○ Conclusion: Overall, the extension activity will allow students to comprehend the

main topic of the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story. This activity will

employ the importance of discovering and staying true to one’s identity.

Ultimately, the activity will allow students to explore their unique identities.

Through the extension activity, students will be able to personally connect to the

children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story.

● Books:

1. I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. The children’s book, I Like Myself, exemplifies

the themes of self-acceptance and self-love. This directly coincides with the theme

illustrated in the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story. Since this children’s book

elucidates the importance of discovering and loving one's own identity.

2. Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho. The children’s book, Eyes that Kiss in

the Corners, focuses on the self-discovery of an Asian girl’s identity. Within the

children’s book, the Asian girl explores her identity. She learns to accept herself and

ultimately feels empowered. The theme of the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story,

directly correlates to the theme aforementioned.

3. Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. The children’s book, Exclamation

Mark, employs the theme of discovering one’s identity. This theme is emphasized

through Exclamation Mark’s exploration of his own identity. The aforementioned theme

closely aligns with the theme of the children’s book, Red: A Crayon’s Story.
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● Recommendation: Yes, I would highly recommend this children’s book. Red: A

Crayon’s Story, teaches children to explore their own identity. It exemplifies the

importance of discovering one’s own self. The children’s book also elucidates that one

should pursue one’s own unique route in life. Overall, the children’s book, Red: A

Crayon’s Story, is an amazing story that should be embraced in classrooms everywhere.

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References

Hall, M. (2015). Red: A crayon's story: As told by me! Greenwillow Books.