*The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow

The Crayon Man boldly and boisterously tells the story of how Crayola crayons were invented.

*The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow and illustrated by Steven Salerno. Clarion, 2019. 48 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 4-8

Anyone who has colored with crayons knows that Crayola crayons really are the best. Cheaper, knockoff versions break more easily, don’t have the same brilliant pigment, and just aren’t as good. But how did those familiar childhood art supplies come to be?

Edwin Binney knew that the crayons kids used broke easily; they were made of charcoal and oil. In addition, they weren’t available in bright colors. As he looked around the natural world, Binney saw so much color! Why couldn’t they make crayons in bolder colors? And that didn’t break?

Melted wax turned out to be the key to stronger crayons (as anyone knows who’s eagerly smelled that classic Crayola smell!). Mixing the bright colors required more work and perseverance. But eventually Binney succeeded, much to the delight of children everywhere.

Salerno’s art really makes this picture book biography. The palette on the pages mimics the colors used in crayons, from the early gray/black days through the steps Binney took along the way to make more and more colors. Boisterous and bold, the pictures will delight children. The text keeps up, though, and text boxes throughout add more facts to the story.

*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.

Bottom Line: An outstanding example of a picture book biography, and a must for young artists and inventors.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Review: The Noisy Paintbox by Barbara Rosenstock is a picture book biography of Kandinsky; perhaps it will offer inspiration for kids who want to pull their crayons out and color!
• Book Review: Six Dots by Jen Bryant is the story (in picture book form) of Louis Braille and how he invented the alphabet blind people use today.
• Book Review: Pass Go and Collect $200 by Tanya Lee Stone — read the story of how Monopoly was invented. Steven Salerno also illustrated this book.

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.

Buy The Crayon Man on amazon.

Alternatively, consider purchasing from Storyglory Kids!