Harold and the Purple Crayon
| Harold and the Purple Crayon | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1998 edition of Harold and the Purple Crayon |
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| Author(s) | Crockett Johnson |
| Country | United States |
| Genre(s) | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Harper & Brothers |
| Publication date | 1955 |
| Pages | 64 |
| ISBN | 0-06-022935-7 |
| OCLC Number | 22963112 |
| Dewey Decimal | [E] 22 |
| LC Classification | MLCS 2006/43120 (P) |
Harold and the Purple Crayon is a 1955 children's book by Crockett Johnson. Johnson's most popular book, it led to a series of books, and inspired many adaptations.
Contents |
Plot [edit]
The protagonist, Harold, is a curious four-year-old boy who, with his purple crayon, has the power to create a world of his own simply by drawing it.
Harold wants to go for a walk in the moonlight, but there is no moon, so he draws one. He has nowhere to walk, so he draws a path. He has many adventures looking for his room, and in the end he draws his own house and bed and goes to sleep.
Book series [edit]
- Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955)
- Harold's Fairy Tale (1956)
- Harold's Trip to the Sky (1957)
- Harold at the North Pole (1958)
- Harold's Circus (1959)
- A Picture for Harold's Room (1960)
- Harold's ABC (1963)
- Harold Rocks Out (1967)
- Harold's Nightmare (1969)
Adaptations [edit]
The original story was adapted by Weston Woods Studios and Brandon Films[1] into a seven-minute short film in 1959, directed by David Piel and narrated by Norman Rose.[2][3] In 1971, Gene Deitch directed an animation of A Picture for Harold's Room, and in 1974 an animation of Harold's Fairy Tale. In 1993, these three animations were packaged with a documentary, and sold as the Harold and the Purple Crayon and Other Harold Stories set.
In 2002, the stories were adapted into a 16-episode television series for HBO narrated by Sharon Stone, which won a Daytime Emmy Award for "Main Title Design", and was nominated for an Annie Award and Humanitas Prize.[4][5]
There have also been theater adaptations.[6][7]
In the couch gag for the Simpsons episode "The Bob Next Door", Harold is shown drawing the Simpson family living room during the regular title sequence. Homer also asks Harold to draw him a can of beer after he finishes with the living room.
In 2011, the story was adapted as an interactive book for the iPad by Trilogy Studios.[8]
Film [edit]
In February 2010, it was reported that Sony Pictures Animation and Will Smith's Overbook Entertainment are developing a computer-animated film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon. It is being produced by Will Smith and James Lassiter, and written by Josh Klausner. Maurice Sendak was also attached as a producer, but he died in 2012 with a last film.[9]
Legacy [edit]
The book inspired programmer Petri Purho to create the computer game Crayon Physics Deluxe,[10][11] and has been used frequently in children's and art education lesson plans.[12] Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children."[13] It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.[14]
References [edit]
- ^ Harold and the Purple Crayon (1959) at the Big Cartoon DataBase
- ^ Crockett Johnson Homepage: Film and Video
- ^ Harold and the Purple Crayon (1959) at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Harold and the Purple Crayon – HBO
- ^ Harold and the Purple Crayon (2002) at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Harold and the Purple Crayon – DC Theatre Scene
- ^ Enchantment Theatre Company presents "The Adventures of Harold & the Purple Crayon"
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/harold-and-the-purple-crayon/id450829541?mt=8
- ^ Rowles, Dustin (February 25, 2010). "Exclusive: Harold and the Purple Crayon Headed to the Big Screen". Pajiba. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ Computer Game A Mash-Up Of Crayons, Physics : NPR
- ^ Crayon Physics Deluxe Interview
- ^ ARTSEDGE: Exploring Neighborhoods through Art
- ^ National Education Association (2007). "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". Retrieved August 19, 2012.
- ^ Bird, Elizabeth (July 6, 2012). "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results". School Library Journal "A Fuse #8 Production" blog. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
External links [edit]
- Crockett Johnson Homepage: Books: The Harold Series
- The Appeal of 'Harold and the Purple Crayon', NPR - All Things Considered, May 29, 2005
- 1955 books
- Children's picture books
- Children's fiction books
- Television programs based on children's books
- HBO Family
- HBO network shows
- 2002 American television series debuts
- 2000s American television series
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- English-language television series
- Harper & Brothers books
