Storytime with Temeka: Harold and the Purple Crayon

Temeka reads Harold and Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Questions to Discuss

  • Why do you think Harold uses only a purple crayon?

  • Would the story be different if a variety of colours were used?

  • Do you think that the story is real, or part of a dream? 

Explore

Exercise 1
Using one colour and a piece of A4 paper folded in half, draw a two part adventure. It can be as simple as the drawings that Harold drew, or can become more complex – imagination is your only limitation!

Exercise 2
Brainstorm what ‘home’ means – write responses on a large piece of paper. Delve a little deeper by asking questions about senses as well – e.g. How does home smell? How does home feel? What can they see? What colours are there?

Exercise 3
Using the words and feelings from the previous activity, ask the students to draw what home means to them in a variety of colours.

Further Learning

Theatre makers draw on inspiration from various parts of society, sometimes a piece of music, a story of a book. Inspiration for ZOOOM comes from the iconic children’s book, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.
Watch the trailer for ZOOOM.

  • What does it mean when something is inspired by something else?

  • Can you see how ZOOOM is like Harold and the Purple Crayon in some ways?

  • In what ways is it similar? In what ways is it different?

More activities to try

Shadow Drawing Create artworks of your favourite toys using their shadows!
Try It
ZOOOM Character Activities Colour in ZOOOM alien characters, design your own alien and make your alien move!
Try It
Visual Storytelling Share the wonder of visual storytelling with children using these imagery-based activities.
Try It