Picture Book of the Day: Harold and the Purple Crayon


PBOTD Harold and the Purple Crayon

One of the books we fell in love with immediately this year was Harold and the Purple Crayon!  G connected to Harold so quickly and asked to read it again and again!

The story moves along with Harold as he draws a world started because he wants to go for a walk in the moonlight.  He draws himself quite the adventure.  Parents will love the inventive word play.  At the end of the day, Harold “draws up” the bed sheets, drops his crayon and “drop[s] off to sleep.”

We loved the book so much that Harold has inspired our drawing projects for a while.  It is so simple to be like Harold: all you need is a purple crayon and some paper.

But I was walking through the dollar store a little while ago and came up with a painting project that goes along with Harold and the Purple Crayon perfectly!  And it only costs a dollar!

So we mashed together the crayons the paint and the book to create this fun activity for G.

Here is what you need:

  • the book
  • butcher paper or a large sheet of paper
  • purple crayons
  • purple paint
  • brushes or sponges
  • a plastic sink mat

How to do the project:

Start reading the book and have someone (your child, if they are old enough) draw the story, just like Harold did.  But leave a space toward the end for the city of windows Harold creates.

PBOTD_Harold and the Purple Crayon

Lay the sink mat on the butcher paper.  You can tape it down with painter’s tape, if you would like.

Have your child paint on top of the sink mat, making sure to cover the holes.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Remove the sink mat.  Once the paint is dry you can go back in a draw lines around the windows to create buildings. This creates the building/city of windows Harold creates in the story.

We had such fun with this project and hung it up later for G to look at.  She enjoyed showing people who came over her art project and pointing out what happens in the story.  This is a wonderful activity for literacy and creativity.

Harold and the Purple Crayon 2

 


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