Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson

Crockett creates an interesting and very simplistic modern fairy tale that builds on a child’s delight in make-believe. Instead of creating a magical world or a fairy like character, Crockett just gives us a purple crayon. By using this subject matter, the young reader can directly relate, understand, and emulate the main character. This is probably the greatest challenge for a picture book author, to have a book that a child can relate to, enjoy, and understand, and to make sure that book has a lasting subject that will stand the test of time. Crockett understands how to do this.