The Crayons' Christmas

Crayons

by Drew Daywalt, Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator)

A brand-new Crayons book from the #1 New York Times best-selling duo Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, just in time for the holidays. This special book has letters, games, ornaments, a poster, and even a pop-up Christmas tree!

'Tis the season for all of us to write our holiday wishlists. But everyone--even the crayons--know the best presents are the ones that you give. In this unique book, readers get to see how Duncan, the crayons, and their families celebrate the holidays. With real, folded letters from the Crayons that you can pull from their envelopes and read, games, punch-out ornaments, a poster, and a pop-up tree, this book is the perfect gift for fans of The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home.

Praise for The Day the Crayons Came Home
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Picture Book of 2015!
A Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2015!
One of Parents Magazine's Ten Best Children's Books of 2015!
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year!
"Funnier than the creators' original blockbuster."--Parents Magazine
"Mr. Daywalt's text blends with Mr. Jeffers's illustrations to make a picture book that will have children clamoring for more crayon adventures."--The Wall Street Journal
"Continues its predecessor's pleasing, goofy conceit...Once again, both Daywalt's text and Jeffers' illustrations are endearing."--New York Times Book Review
"By telling stories from the points of view of crayons, giving voices to the small and ignored, Daywalt and Jeffers have created two books that offer plenty of charm and fun, but also make children feel deeply understood."--The Boston Globe
* "A masterwork of humor and design . . . Sure to be as popular as The Day the Crayons Quit."--Booklist, starred review
* "A brilliant, colorful tale that begs to be read aloud and a must-have for all collections."--School Library Journal, starred review
* "Once again, Daywalt and Jeffers create rich emotional lives and personalities for their colorful cast, and it's hard to imagine a reader who won't be delighted."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Not only stands on its own merit, but may be even more colorful than the original."--Huffington Post
"Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers once again offer perceptive and frequently hilarious insights...The Day the Crayons Came Home will have readers of all ages chuckling--and will inspire kids' empathy and imagination in equal measure."--BookPage

Praise for The Day the Crayons Quit
The #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon--over two years on the bestseller list!
Winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award
Amazon's 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year
A Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2013
Goodreads' 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year
* "Hilarious . . . Move over, Click, Clack, Moo; we've got a new contender for the most successful picture-book strike." -BCCB, starred review
"Jeffers . . . elevates crayon drawing to remarkable heights." -Booklist
"Fresh and funny." -The Wall Street Journal
"This book will have children asking to have it read again and again." -Library Media Connection
* "This colorful title should make for an uproarious storytime." -School Library Journal, starred review
* "These memorable personalities will leave readers glancing apprehensively at their own crayon boxes." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Utterly original." -San Francisco Chronicle

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Art, Humor

52 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Ever since his childhood in one of Ohio’s most haunted houses, writer director Drew Daywalt has been writing escapist fantasy and building worlds of his own. With a degree in Creative Writing, and a concentration in Children’s Literature from Emerson College in Boston, Daywalt set off to Hollywood where he spent years writing for Disney and Universal on such beloved shows as Timon & Pumba, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody Woodpecker, and where his animated series The Wacky World of Tex Avery garnered an Emmy nomination.

His first trip into live action landed him studio screenwriting and feature film directing work with such Hollywood luminaries as Quentin Tarrantino, Lawrence Bender, Tony Scott, Brett Ratner and Jerry Bruckheimer.

With an eye toward picture book writing, Daywalt’s first book THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in June 2013, and has since become a Number One Best Seller.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as funny as THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT and THE DAY THE CRAYONS CAME HOME. This book is more hands-on (e.g. separate cards, papers, etc. - just great for a kid to take apart and lose the pieces). Because of this, it would be a little difficult to use as a read-aloud for a group of children. The humour is more suited for older children (8 years and up).

[Eastofoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason the crayon printing is very small and hard to read. Story isn’t as funny as others in the series.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic gem by Jeffers. I am glad to have met new crayons and to have caught up with some familiar faces--you know I mean you Esteban!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable! Fun for the kids AND adults as it contains some witty humor that will sail over the kids heads. So much for the kids to look at and do, this will be a children’s Christmas favorite!

[Oriana Viglienghi · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Qué es esta joyita? Lo quiero para navidad

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: One snowy December day, Duncan was making Christmas cards with his crayons when the mail carrier brought a letter, only it wasn’t for him...

Premise/plot: As a novelty Christmas book this one offers a good time, especially if your little one already loves Duncan’s crayons. It offers several built in activities: peach crayon paper doll with wardrobe, a game board, punch out Christmas ornaments, a dreidel to assemble, etc. The crayons receive a good amount of mail and a box of decorations is fetched from the attic.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. I recognize it for what it is—a novelty holiday themed read—not exactly great literature. The story is flimsy at best. But all the activities are cute. I loved the “recipe” that Beige receives from his parents for gluten free cookies. (Beige is now intolerant of gluten because he’s colored in too much wheat.) The first step is to go to the store and buy gluten free cookies. But there are four more steps.

Text: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Total: 6/10

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classic “crayon” story!! A great picture book to read to younger children with some great humour in it although they might not understand all of it. The book is interactive as it has pockets with activities inside however, this I believe makes it hard to have in a classroom as they would probably go missing quite quickly! Other than that, a lovely Christmas story to read!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun continuation of the series - but a library book circulation nightmare - games, foldouts, and cutouts are included.

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read... but this is going to be a horrible library book. I'm taking bets on how long all of the pockets and pieces will last.

[Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

A confussion story about some crayons getting mail before Christmas. Art works was okay, but could have been better. Same goes for the storyline. Still it is a good read for kids.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The crayons return to celebrate Christmas using real letters, paper ornaments, a poster, a game, and a pop-up tree. I admit I have a soft spot for this kind of book. I've always gotten a kick out of pulling out the 'surprises' to see what's there. Young readers are likely to enjoy that aspect of the book as well. Plus Daywalt's crayons are as charming as always. While not as clean and crisp in terms of story as the previous titles there is still much to be enjoyed here (although I recommend making sure that young readers understand that the map poster is mislabeled on purpose). A fun book for those who can't get enough of Duncan and his crayons and their adventures.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book when the children I babysit picked it out for me to read before bed. I'm so glad they picked it! This book is absolutely hilarious, there are so many jokes that children and grown ups can enjoy. There is always something to point out and look at. The letters and notes that you get to look at are so funny and sweet! What a great read

[Roddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quizás no tiene la misma gracia de los otros dos, pero desde el 25 de diciembre lo vengo leyendo todos los días y mi hijo lo celebra como si fuese una obra mayor, así que estoy poderosamente influenciado.
Esta vez las cartas vienen en papeles que pueden sacarse del libro. Además, hay un juego, un mapa, etc.

[Jeremy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not enjoy "The Crayons' Christmas", after reading some unsettling allegations about Daywalt from 2018/19, and it seems like his behaviour towards women is an open secret in the publishing industry. This tracks with why his follow-up books have had very muted publicity (one even got removed from awards shortlist after the allegations surfaced).

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those crayons are at it again! These books are wonderful, with a little something extra for the adults reading, and this one contains paper dolls and other fun additions!

[Leslie Betsabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los libros de Oliver Jeffers son superiores.

[Sahar Ebtehaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

واقعا عجب ایده ای برای اجرای تصویرگری این کتاب انتخاب کرده. به معنای واقعی کلمه عاشقش شدم! عاشق اجراش.

[Nitza Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super adorable and a perfect gift for anyone who loves the series!!!

[Angel Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is good enough 💚 But the big star of the book are all the extra materials and gifts inside it.

From letters to games, from smart packaging to a pop up feature ❤ this is a lovely book and great for children.

[Stefania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun!

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed like inside jokes I didn't get because I didn't read the second book.

[Erin Kinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The library copy I read had no inserts so the story made very little sense.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crayon’s Christmas by Drew Daywalt, pictures by Oliver Jeffers. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin, 2019. $20. 9780525515746

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - GIFT ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: GIFT ONLY - HIGH

As Duncan and his crayons prepare for Christmas, letters arrive from other crayons all over the world from loved ones to help celebrate the season.

Because of the multiple inserts and punch-outs, I can’t recommend for library checkout. But as a holiday gift, it is a winner!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duncan's crayons send and receive holiday mail as they decorate the house for Christmas.

This book has "envelope" pages with various things inside from paper dolls to a board game to a dreidel cut out to play with. I'm tempted to say I don't have high hopes for the stuff in the envelopes to remain with the book in our library, but our Jolly Postman book still has all of its notes so there is hope. Fans of the other Crayons books will like this holiday celebration with them.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps if I were looking to use it with my own kids, I would love it. The fun of it (the interactive stickers) is taken out of play when a public library copy is involved. =(

[Siân PJsAndBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice Christmas book which reminds me of the Jolly Christmas Postman.

Comes with lots of extras to make and play.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I borrowed a copy from the library which removed all of the inserts, so the story didn't make much sense at all.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review first published on my blog Nine Pages .

In previous Crayons books the crayons have written to Duncan. Now the crayons are the recipients, receiving letters and postcards and gifts from friends and family in a sweet celebration of reaching out to loved ones at the holidays. The book has the same offbeat humor and insightful comments on our use of colors that the previous books did. Many of the characters are from previous books, their adventures expanded here, and I think the book made less sense as a standalone for that reason. The concept of the crayons and their letters was not well explained in this book (I’m giving it five stars anyway but suggest reading The Day the Crayons Came Home first; meet Esteban).

I grew up with my mother’s love of the interactive picture book, The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg. This book reminded me of that with its letters and postcards and gifts in envelopes attached to the page while the envelopes’ contents remained separate, able to be taken from the book and read. This book includes ornaments to hang on a Christmas tree, games, and a gluten-free cookie recipe to try in addition to letters and postcards. There was also a Hanukkah greeting and paper dreidel to make! Reading it could easily be spread out over a day or several days if one stops to interact with all the contents.

I had a small audience for this one, but they did better with this story than they have with the length of any of the other Crayons books. I struggled to balance the book and the separate pieces. If you’re reading it aloud, make sure you have somewhere to lay the book down to hold up the envelopes’ contents.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ça y est! Les crayons les plus drôles qui soient sont de retrours dans un opus spécial pour Noël. Vous y retrouverez la brochette de crayons de cire déjantés qu'on a connu précédemment dans "Rebéllion chez les crayons" et la suite "Les crayons rentrent à la maison". On reyrouvera dans cet album beaucoup de choses, pas seulement des pages! Lettres, vêtements, cartes postales, jeu de serpent-échelle sont du lot. C'est donc un album jeunesse interactif. Considérant la manipulation de ces éléments détachables, je vous conseille de garder ce bel album pour les enfants capables d'être délicats et ayant une bonne dextérité, donc les enfants d'environ 5 ans et plus.

Retrouvez Crayon Beige, qui vit mal sa nudité et qui sera enfin dédommagé. Suivez aussi le voyage de Crayon Rouge Fluo, qui mélange encore les monuments et les pays. Suivez aussi la canne de Noël, qui en a assez d'être utilisée comme décoration et aimerait bien qu'on le mange! Bref, suivez les crayons de Duncan dans leur joyeuse folie crayonneuse dans cet album hautement ludique.

Attention: Risques d'attraper de l'humour, à tenir éloigné des agélastes, rabats-joies et des malcommodes. À consommer sans modération et sans marque-page. Fait à base de bois, de crayons de cire et de bêtises.

**Petites pièces détachables incluses.


Catégorisation: Album fiction anglais, littérature jeunesse débutante, premier cycle primaire, 6-7 ans
Note: 8/10