Editorial Review

"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.Read more

Reviews (102)

bring your imagination
If you have a small child who is not crazy about books, try this one.I have yet to read it to a kindergarten class who was not enthralled with it. Harold is a delight for young and old.He is lovable and at the same time all-powerful, wielding his purple crayon as he chooses.This is a classic no family should be without.

"And the moon went with him."
This is a book of such simplicity, both in its words and its illustrations, that one may dismiss it at first glance. Don't! Harold and the Purple Crayon is a magical book. Its popularity may have waned since its original publication over 50 years ago, but it has such enduring charm. Harold has such a wonderful imagination, and in his hands the purple crayon does incredible things. If you've never read this book, please join Harold on his journey. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed.

Harold - fifty years on!
I bought this fiftieth edition for my daughter because it was one of her favourite books when she was young. She is twenty-five now and the old book is falling to pieces and still has her added drawings in it. She was very happy with the new shiny copy, even though the original was smaller in size. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Bedtime Stories    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Classics    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Night    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Editorial Review

This is a charming exercise in autobiography (one of several) by thegreat author-illustrator Tomie dePaola. "Tommy" is consumed with a passion for drawing. Although encouraged by his family, who treat his pictures with respect and decorate their houses and workplaces with them, he encounters misunderstanding and frustration at school. Finally, an art teacher gives him a chance to do his own thing. Read more

Reviews (11)

ONE OF MY FAVORITES - KIDS LOVE IT.
If you ever observe a class of youn students, when given free time, you will find that a great number of them choose to draw, some good, some not so good, but all great.This book has great appeal to these children.I have to admit to being a big dePaola fan, feeling he isone of the best out there and this work, which is obviously at least semi-autobiographical is truely inspiational.It is a story of a young lad who likes to draw, love art and art work and ends up doing what he loves.This gives the young ones something to shoot for and something to ponder and think about.This illustrations of of the authors usual high quality, by that I mean wonderful and the text is quite near perfect and matches the illustratios perfectly.I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

A book for all ages -- let creativity flourish!
Shh ... wanna hear a secret? Well, here it is: This is NOT just a children's book. Enthralled by the book and eager to share the joys of reading aloud with an older group, I shared this book with my ninth-graders back in 1991. To this day, it is one of the most cherished memories some of them have. At least one student went on to write children's books of her own. What more can an English teacher ask?
Good Book by a Favorite Author
This is an encouraging autobiographical tale. Tommy was sure he would grow up to be an artist.He is discouraged by people in his life at times but fortunately Tommy prevails.Thank goodness; we now have an excellent children's author/illustrator to enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    2. Artists    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Individuality    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. School & Education    10. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture   

Reviews (3)

Good simulated art of other cultures
This is another excellent art book in the "A Williamson Kids Can! Book" series.I have several in the series, all of which have provided me many ideas for my students' art projects.I have used this particular book least however, because the projects are more complicated than the other books, and require more adult intervention, especially with younger children.It's advertised as for ages 4-8, but for children to work more independently, I recommend most projects as suitable for ages 7-13. Good simulated art of other cultures
This is another excellent art book in the "A Williamson Kids Can! Book" series.I have several in the series, all of which have provided me many ideas for my students' art projects.I have used this particular book least however, because the projects are more complicated than the other books, and require more adult intervention, especially with younger children.It's advertised as for ages 4-8, but for children to work more independently, I recommend most projects as suitable for ages 7-13. Great Crafts, Great Exposure to Other Cultures
This is a wonderful book with a range of easy to more complicated crafts for children from 4-8.We have done a number of the projects in here and not only do my children enjoy them, but they get some exposure to culturesoutside of their own. There are suggestions for changing the art projectsto incorporate more creative impulses as well. It's the one craft book Ikeep returning to because the ideas are so interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Crafts & Hobbies - General    5. Ethnic art    6. Folk art    7. Handicraft    8. Juvenile Arts And Crafts    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Decorative arts & crafts, other art forms   

Reviews (3)

Laurie Carlson is Outstanding
I have just entered the field of preschool and was disappointed in the books for activities until I found Carlson.Her book isn't full of kiddie graphics as if the kids were reading, her instructions are clear and careful. This book is fun because it gives so many ideas of using things around the house. I liked this book so much that I bought 50 to give to preschool teachers coming to a workshop.If you like to do things with your young children and someone doesn't give you Carlson's books, buy them.
Excellent resource for many fascinating projects.
This book is filled with explicit instructions on many facinatingprojects.It is clear, concise and easy to understand.Excellent resourcefor children and teachers.

Practical instruction and insightful comments-Super!!!!
Laurie, I just finished this book and I really appreciated it.My daughter is soon to be three and I have been wanting to learn more about environmentally friendly ways to teach her about life and our world.This is a super resource for me.Thank you so much!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Crafts & Hobbies - General    5. Handicraft    6. Juvenile Arts And Crafts    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Nature craft    10. Recycling (Waste)    11. Recycling (Waste, etc.)    12. Handicrafts   

Reviews (11)

One of my favorites to read
The paintings/illustrations in this book are classic Eric Carle and are actually on a bigger scale than many of his books.They are glorious and beatiful and in his completely unique style.
10 Stars for Eric Carle
This book is well written and well illustrated. I feel sorry for the children who will be steered away from this story because of closemindedness. The adults seem to really be the ones who are uncomfortable with the illustrations.
A nice new spin on the religious creation stories
I'm not a huge fan of Eric Carle's work, nor of religiously-themed books written for small children... But this charming, colorful (and refreshingly nondenominational) 1992 picture book strikes a nice balance, and is one of Carle's simplest, most visually appealing children's books.In an interesting twist on the creation story, Carle casts the god-figure as an artist, first as an infant, asked to draw a star, then as a lad swiftly maturing into a teen, a young man, and finally into a wizened, flowing-beard style diety, who flies away into the heavens with the very stars he created, after having drawn man, woman, and the world they inhabit.One aspect of the book -- that someone was there to ask "The Artist" to draw all these things -- raises some interesting theological questions, but the central message of celebrating art and the world around is, is uncomplicated and welcome.Worth checking out, as long as you're not militantly agnostic or atheistic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists    2. Carle, Eric    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Drawing    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Preschool Picture Story Books    9. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture   

Reviews (2)

More than just pictures!
I picked up this book, expecting to find essentially a picture book. However, this book is so much more...and it is lovely. Eric Carle's books "do special things" read all about them!
Inspiration is the first word that comes to mind after reading about Eric Carle's successful life as an author and illustrator. This book contains information about his childhood, his books, but most important his art. I especially enjoyed reading the section about where he gets his ideas. What is so special about Eric Carle's books?Many people all over the world could answer that question.My favorite answer is from a little boy named Paul, he said: "One reason I like your books is they do special things." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists, Architects, Photographers    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Carle, Eric    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Commercial - Illustration    6. Illustration of books    7. Picture books for children    8. Themes, motives    9. United States    10. Illustration    11. Individual artists    12. Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / General   

Editorial Review

Arthur Dog, guard at Dogopolis Museum of Art and ardent fan of LeonardoDog Vinci, leads a quiet life--except when the moon is full. On those nights something happens to Arthur. His eyes grow bright and his fur seems to glisten... and soon he is hatted and masked and out on the streets painting secret masterpieces. No one knows who the mysterious Art Dog is, until the night when Read more

Reviews (7)

Wish there were more kid's books like this
I've read this to my six-year-old since he was a five-year-old - he doesn't get tired of it, and mercifully, neither do I.The idea of a hero who uses _painting_ instead of punches to win the day is so cool it makes me wish I'd written it. Who is Art Dog?
By day, Arthur Dog, Dogopolis Museum of Art security guard, and lover of paintings by Vincent Van Dog, Pablo Poodle, Henri Muttisse, and Leonardo Dog Vinci.By night, Art Dog, masked grafitti artist painting the city in beautiful color."No one knew who Art Dog really was... until one night at the museum."Yikes!Someone has stolen the Mona Woofa!After being falsely accused, Art Dog paints his way out of jail, lifts his nose in the air..."I can smell art a mile away," and saves the day in superhero fashion.....Thacher Hurd has authored an entertaining, wacky picture book that's sure to tickle the funny bones of young and old alike.His delightful, high-spirited text begs to be read aloud, and is full of terrific sound effects, wordplay, and dog puns.But it's his bold, bright, and splashy illustrations that really make this book stand out and sparkle.Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Art Dog is a funny, engaging, rip-roarin' adventure you don't want to miss."Who was Art Dog?Who was this painter in a Brushmobile, catcher of crooks, bringer of light to the Dogopolis night?"Only readers will know!

Woofunderful book!
"Art Dog" is a wigglin' fun story book about Arthur Dog, the security guard at Dogopolis Museum of Art. He lives a secret life as a graffitti artist who finds himself being blamed for the stolen "Mona Woofa". However, he is able to paint his way out of...well, I can't give away the story here! (This detective dog sure is smarter than Scoobi Doo!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Artists    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Dogs    6. Fiction    7. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Subjects:  1. Art - General    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Children's 9-12 - Photography    5. Juvenile literature    6. Photographers    7. Women    8. Women photographers    9. Bourke-White, Margaret    10. Cameron, Julia Margaret Pattle    11. Garduño, Flor    12. Simpson, Lorna    13. Skoglund, Sandy   

Editorial Review

African-American photographers played an almost invisible role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, their contribution to the art form largely overlooked and barely documented. Though this book is intended for ages 11 and up, Sullivan does not patronize young readers; he excels at placing his subjects in the context of their times, filling in the background with fine brushstrokes. James Van Der Zee, the best known black photographer, is excluded in favor of important but comparatively obscure names like pioneer daguerreotyper James P. Ball--whose studio rivaled Mathew Brady's--and portraitist Addison Scurlock. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. African American photographers    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's Books - Young Adult    7. General    8. History    9. Juvenile literature    10. Photography    11. United States