Red A Crayon’s Story

Author & Illustrator Michael Hall

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Red A Crayon’s Story, is written and illustrated by Michael Hall. The children’s book is about a red crayon who tries to draw the color red, but every time he attempts to, he draws the color blue. His grandparents, parents, teachers, and friends all try to “fix” him, but no matter how hard he tries, he can only draw the color blue. One day, someone recognizes how beautifully he draws the color blue and empowers him to be his true self, the color blue. 

The theme of the novel focuses on gender identity and challenges socially constructed roles. The crayon is labeled red and appears to be red on the outside, but no matter how hard he tries to be what everyone else expects him to be, on the inside he is truly the color blue. The theme of the novel empowers children to challenge and transform socially constructed gender identities and roles. 

I would recommend this book to primary and elementary students because it provides alternative and uncommon perspectives of gender identities and roles, and it empowers learners to be critically aware, challenge, and transform socially constructed, as well as limited, gender identities and roles. Lastly, it inspires childrens to be authentically themselves!

Red A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall