Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon

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I used to love reading this book to the kids, before the baby became a toddler (see below).

The drawings are clear. That little Harold is so darling -- all head and crayon and cuteness. The stories take Harold on adventures that always end safely at home in bed.

They are a fun way to imagine... what comes next? When we make up family stories, sometimes we try to find new directions to take a story, especially when one gets sidetracked (by silliness, grossness, etc. -- I have boys). These Harold stories do exactly the same thing: when Harold gets stuck, or nervous, or in danger, he just imagines his way out of it.

The books are very clever. The illustrations are basically line drawings, but they convey the story perfectly. I like this collection because it has 4 Harold stories together.

Anyway, my youngest went through a book-ripping phase about a year ago, so we put up all the books with pages and kept the board books down at his level. Somehow, Harold got misplaced. We got it out again this week, and to my joy, yesterday the 6-year old was reading it to the 3-year-old. They were laughing and giggling about the book, and I fell in love with the story all over again.

Awesome book.

***updated*** this book includes four stories:

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Harold's Fairy Tale
Harold's Trip to the Sky
Harold's Circus

I really liked "The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon" because it had adventures that I liked. I liked the designs that Harold drew on the wall, but I'm not allowed to draw on the wall. In the last chapter, Harold makes a circus that comes alive and he stands up on a rope and begins to fall and he tries to catch his balance. On the last page people are all around and give him a big hand of applause. He draws a lion without teeth then he sticks his head in the lion's mouth. Then he draws teeth. Then he draws monkey bar rings and he swings from ring to ring. He shoots out of a cannon. He draws a lemonade stand with a man selling lemonade. He draws a tall man and short guy. He draws a fat lady. He draws a clown. I will probably read the book again when I'm thirteen!

When I encountered this book for the first time, I lamented the fact that I was unaware of it when my daughter was young. She would have loved it. Harold is a toddler with a magic purple crayon. With it, he can make anything he wants and engage in the most imaginative and creative adventures. When Harold needs something, he simply draws it.
Some of Harold's adventures are flying in a rocket, landing on another planet, meeting an alien, riding a shooting star back home and eating a bowl of hot oatmeal. The adventures are not structured in the sense that the next event is largely unpredictable, which is consistent with the wandering that a child's mind will do.

I'm so happy amazon had these books! I've been looking everywhere for them, these are the ones that I was taught how to read with and I wanted to share Harold's cool stories with my little boy. Cute stories nice quality hardback for an excellent price I love it!

Such a good book for kids, my daughter loves it. It's a classic and every family should own this book.

We could not be more happy with the condition of our Harold book! It is a family favorite and our original was read so many times it just fell apart. In looking to replace it I could not believe how expensive a new one was. The used one we purchased for $1.99 was in perfect condition.

I read this story to my kids when they were young. I think it might have been a different version 25 years ago because I believe it was for younger children but it has the same story. But, I could be wrong! My daughter has been bugging me to try to find that book and I can't. So, here it is on Amazon.................of-course! So happy. Christmas gife here we come!

I regularly purchase this book to give as a new baby gift and was stunned to come here and discover that it is now nearly impossible to get and that the edition I bought 6 of last year for less than $10 is now over $100! How very sad for all the babies who won't receive one =(

I just love Harold. I teach 4th grade and even my 4th graders still reach for Harold when they are tired or have a rare moment to choose an easy read, but it's not about how easy it is to read, it's the story. Harold makes his own world and in it are fears and joys and all the things that make up a little person's experience. Kids of all ages are enchanted by the mere idea of being to draw one's way into - and more especially out of - any situation; and the illustrations, though simple line drawings, are timeless and soothing in these times of CGI and Pixar. There is something very special about Crockett Johnson's Harold and every kid who picks up one of his books knows it immediately.

I bought one in "Like New" condition from one of the alternate sellers, but I if I ever see it again at anything resembling a normal price point I will buy a dozen...thank goodness my grandson already has his copy.

We have this book checked out from the library and it is the first book my son wants read to him every night. This set contains 4 different story/adventures of Harold. I would definitely recommend this book. My son is 3.5.

Harold learns what it means to shape his destiny as an aesthete and as an adventurer. The soul of acceptance is a core feature of how to read this book. Let the children decide where they want to be ... for better or worse, they will probably choose freedom of some kind!

Why not give them markers rather than spanks?
Safe place to play rather than a harsh word?
Challenges rather than demands?

'The swimming pool and backyard as open source classroom'

-student of 'self-lessoning' for 27 years