Review - The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons
by Natascha Biebow
illustrated by Steven Salerno
Date: 2019
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book non-fiction
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This picture book biography tells the story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved stationary supplies.

purple mountains’ majesty, mauvelous, jungle green, razzmatazz…

What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons. Here’s the true story of an inventor who so loved nature’s vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children – in a box for only a nickel!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The Crayon Man is the story of how Edwin Binney developed Crayola crayons.

The book is a biography, but moreso for the crayons than for the man. Still, it's an interesting story of an iconic childhood staple. Bright illustrations highlight the informative text. There's an author's note at the end that gives a little more information about Binney, as well as a step-by-step explanation of how Crayola crayons are made today.

Those who enjoy picture-book biographies won't want to miss this one.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5