The Day the Crayons Came Home
By Drew Daywalt
The Story
A boy named Duncan receives postcards from runaway and mistreated crayons — one broken after Dad sat on him, one stuck to a stinky sock, one who fled because nobody likes peas — each begging to come home.
Why It's Special
For the kid who talks to their toys, apologizes to a dropped crayon, or worries about the sock that got left behind in the dryer, this one lands hard.
- Big idea: Everyone — even a broken, boring, or overlooked crayon — deserves a place where they belong.
- Vibes: Silly, warm, and a little absurd, with real feeling underneath the jokes.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy funny, offbeat storytelling
- like to give voices and feelings to their own toys and objects
- are working on empathy for things that seem broken or unwanted
- love spotting fun details, like the glow-in-the-dark art
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story recall: What happened to Maroon Crayon after Dad sat on him?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Turquoise felt being stuck to a stinky sock in the dryer?
- Humor: Why do you think Pea Green Crayon ran away from home?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever lost a favorite toy or crayon? What happened to it?
- Imagination: If your crayons could write you a postcard, what do you think they'd say?
