Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Review: Frankencrayon by Michael Hall

Frankencrayon
9780062252111

This picture book has been canceled.
Wait.
How can we be on the front flap of a canceled book?
Good question.


Okay, I have to admit, I never quite jumped on the The Day the Crayons Came Back, etc., bandwagon. I mean, they are cute stories, but just didn't grab me as being great read-alouds or anything. So, when this came in the mail, my brain put it in the same category, and it languished in my TBR pile.

Pay attention to authors, Ami!
This is Michael Hall, of It's an Orange Aardvark, one of my favorite story time go-tos, and Red: a Crayon's Story, another fun title!

Frankencrayon may be his funniest yet. A pencil narrates a cast of crayons (with three crayons together playing the title role - at points we see them sitting around in separate parts of the costume, much like every old movie with two people in an animal costume). Their story of 'what happened' will elicit plenty of giggles from young and old alike, with Frankencrayon providing the simple solution to their problem.

It is also perfectly set up to introduce your elementary school students to reader's theatre. Wouldn't this be better than some of those awful end-of-year programs? Can't you just see the kids dressed as different color crayons (easy to do with a pair of sweatpants, t-shirt, and electrical tape!) The visuals in the book themselves are sure to capture any reader's attention. 

A must-have book, and my deepest apologies to Mr. Hall for taking so long to review it! 

***This book has been nominated for the Cybils Awards, and I am a first-round panelist in this category. There are many other panelists, and many MANY other great nominees, so a good or bad review here does not necessarily predict placement on the shortlist. 


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