Review by Booklist Review
Poppy, a piglet, takes her big, new set of crayons to school, but they look so perfect together that she can't bear to open the box. Nearby, her classmates are using their old crayons to create all sorts of drawings, but they understand her plight. Millie, a mouse, gives her two beat-up crayons, black and pink, and Poppy immediately begins to draw. Ruben, a bear cub, offers half of a broken crayon and Poppy presses it down hard, making bright blue marks without fear of breaking it. Other classmates share their battered crayons, and Poppy continues to draw her picture. Finally, she opens her treasured crayon box and shares her new ones with her friends. A Scottish writer/illustrator, Garland tells a story that will resonate with any child who has ever drawn with broken crayons or owned a pristine box of new ones. Each time she uses a friend's crayon, Poppy briefly reflects on some aspect of the experience. This appealing picture book reads aloud smoothly and may well lead to conversations along the way.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--It is art time, and Poppy has a problem: her crayons have never been used. She worries that the currently perfect crayons will never be the same if she starts using them. Milly is more than happy to share her not-so-gently-used crayons, as are the other kids in the class. With the help of generous friends, Poppy creates a nearly perfect masterpiece, but is still missing one crucial element. When Poppy realizes that the lilac crayon she needs is only available in her box of crayons, she has to make a decision: an incomplete project or sacrifice perfection. Young readers will certainly relate to Poppy's situation, even though her friends' responses are a bit idealized for the contemporary classroom. Illustrations featuring animal characters in a preschool or primary classroom are colorful and have a very youthful look to them. Similarly, the text is straightforward and simple, with consistent layouts used throughout. The simplicity of both text and illustration are appropriate for the intended age group--however, they leave the story feeling emotionally flat. For a more complex discussion about perfectionism that will also appeal to younger audiences, consider Leanne Hatch's Brand-New Never-Used Perfect Crayons. VERDICT An additional purchase.--Louie Lauer
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A little one confronts perfectionism. Poppy the piglet has a new box of crayons with perfect points and many colors to choose from. While her friends are busily scribbling away, Poppy's not using her crayons. If she does, she'll spoil them, and they won't be perfect. Poppy's friends generously lend her their worn-out, imperfect crayons. She accepts, unconcerned they might break or be otherwise harmed, since they're already shabby. Temporarily forgetting about perfectionism, Poppy works on a picture of a rainbow. Now, however, she needs "just a touch of lilac." Nobody has it. Hmm. What color is dilemma? Poppy remembers her new crayon box, then surveys the pictures her friends have produced with beat-up crayons. Is it finally time for Poppy to relent? Color the answer "yes"--to the tune of Poppy scattering all her new crayons around so her pals can share them. They work together on a large drawing and make Poppy's crayons imperfect, which is perfectly OK with her. Poppy realizes that friendship, generosity, helpfulness, and cooperation beat perfect crayons. This sweet story makes the point that maintaining friendships and having fun, especially collaboratively, are more important than holding on to unworkable, rigid ideas. Poppy demonstrates agency, making the wise decision to use and share her new property in service of fun and companionship. The lively tale is, aptly, colorfully illustrated, with an endearing all-animal cast. A charming story about friendship, sharing, and helpfulness. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
