The Last Two Crayons

The Last Two Crayons

Written by: Freeman-Haskin, Leah
Illustrated by: Robinson, Shantala
ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1

Sienna looks forward to drawing a picture for her school’s spring art show, until she ends up with the last two crayons …

By the time Sienna arrives at the art table in her classroom, all the crayons are gone except dark brown and light brown. Now how can she make a special picture for the art show? Andy teases that all she’ll be able to draw is mud and dog poop. Her teacher tries to cheer her up, telling her that lots of wonderful things are brown. So Sienna imagines some of her favorite things — her grandma’s rose garden, her new bicycle, rainbows — but none of them are brown! Her friends remind her that chocolate ice cream is brown, and so is the grizzly bear at the zoo. Sienna draws both, with the help of her friends, but neither picture seems special enough. In the end, inspired by an early memory, Sienna comes up with her own idea for a drawing that’s perfect for the art show.

The Last Two Crayons looks at the beautiful world of brown, with a heartwarming and empowering ending that celebrates diversity, creativity and family.


Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

vignettes


Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Sienna looks forward to drawing a picture for her school’s spring art show, until she ends up with the last two crayons …

By the time Sienna arrives at the art table in her classroom, all the crayons are gone except dark brown and light brown. Now how can she make a special picture for the art show? Andy teases that all she’ll be able to draw is mud and dog poop. Her teacher tries to cheer her up, telling her that lots of wonderful things are brown. So Sienna imagines some of her favorite things — her grandma’s rose garden, her new bicycle, rainbows — but none of them are brown! Her friends remind her that chocolate ice cream is brown, and so is the grizzly bear at the zoo. Sienna draws both, with the help of her friends, but neither picture seems special enough. In the end, inspired by an early memory, Sienna comes up with her own idea for a drawing that’s perfect for the art show.

The Last Two Crayons looks at the beautiful world of brown, with a heartwarming and empowering ending that celebrates diversity, creativity and family.


Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

vignettes


Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Apr 4, 2023
Specifications 32 pages | 8.375 in x 9.75 in
Supporting Resources
(select item to download)
Guide
Written By

LEAH FREEMAN-HASKIN is a debut children’s book author, a content creator and the founder of BLK Oceans, a website dedicated to promoting Black-owned businesses. As a child, she was inspired by a picture book to see beauty in the color brown, which helped change her perspective on her own sense of beauty and self-acceptance. Leah lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and two young sons.

Illustrated by

SHANTALA ROBINSON is an illustrator, graphic designer and fine artist whose art is inspired by both her urban and natural surroundings. She lives in New Westminster, British Columbia, with her partner and two young children.

Written By

LEAH FREEMAN-HASKIN is a debut children’s book author, a content creator and the founder of BLK Oceans, a website dedicated to promoting Black-owned businesses. As a child, she was inspired by a picture book to see beauty in the color brown, which helped change her perspective on her own sense of beauty and self-acceptance. Leah lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and two young sons.

Illustrated by

SHANTALA ROBINSON is an illustrator, graphic designer and fine artist whose art is inspired by both her urban and natural surroundings. She lives in New Westminster, British Columbia, with her partner and two young children.

Audience ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1
Key Text Features

dialogue; illustrations; vignettes

Common Core CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Winner, Ontario Library Association Best Bets, 2024

A sensitive and age-appropriate tale to spark conversations about skin color.

” —Kirkus Reviews

A charming debut, accompanied by warm, welcoming ­illustrations, sure to set off conversations about the language of color and the ­inclusion of every hue.

” —School Library Journal

Told through a relatable art class activity with child-friendly vocabulary, this is a good book to celebrate diversity, coming together, and feeling good about who one is.

” —Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

This is a gentle and affirming picture book about self-acceptance and the importance of family.

” —School Library Connection

A heartwarming picture book [that] champions diversity while still remaining grounded, realistic and joyful.

” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials

This is a delightful, inspiring book for first readers … The illustrations … are cute, colourful and extra-large, adding cheerful notes to the text.

” —Winnipeg Free Press