The Day the Crayons Came Home
(Crayons)

This new cast of crayons will entertain readers, and admirers of the first book will be pleased to see a few familiar colors.

A masterwork of humor and design . . . Sure to be as popular as The Day the Crayons Quit.

How do you follow a hit like The Day the Crayons Quit? Stick with what works, and add a twist: instead of letters, Duncan receives a stack of postcards from crayons that have been misplaced or maligned, or are ready for adventure. A directionally challenged neon red crayon tries to get home after being abandoned at a motel; a trip through the dryer has left a turquoise crayon stuck to a sock; and a chunky toddler crayon can't abide Duncan's baby brother ("Picasso said every child is an artist, but I dunno"). 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. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Paul Moreton, Bell, Lomax, Moreton Agency. (Aug.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Duncan's crayons are back in this companion to the spectacular The Day the Crayons Quit (Philomel, 2014), and they are just as forthright as ever. A stack of postcards arrive for the neglectful boy, this time written by a new batch of crayons who have been forgotten at motels, lost under the couch, or left behind in the basement. Maroon has been marooned under the sofa, having been broken by Duncan's dad, who sat on it, Tan (or Burnt Sienna) has seen better days and has recently been puked up by the dog, and old frenemies Orange and Yellow have melted in the sun to become one gooey mess. Recurring postcards from Pea Green (aka Esteban), who dreams of traveling, and clueless Neon Red, who writes about grand adventures abroad, will elicit giggles from young ones. Jeffers's mixed-media illustrations of photographed postcards and childlike crayon drawings against white backdrops enhance kid appeal and encourage close visual reading. A glow-in-the-dark spread and chatty household items, such as a sock, a paper clip, and a pencil sharpener, are new aspects to look forward to, and the general theme of home being a place where everyone belongs will resonate with old and young readers alike. VERDICT A brilliant, colorful tale that begs to be read aloud and a must-have for all collections.--Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.