The Crayon Box That Talked

"The Crayon Box That Talked" Poem by Shane DeRolf

 (also available in picture book)

While walking in a toy store, the day before today,
I overheard a crayon box with many things to say.

"I don't like Red," said Yellow. And Green said, "Nor do I."
And no one here likes Orange, but no one knows just why.

"We are a box of crayons that doesn't get along,"
said Blue to all the others, "Something here is wrong!"

Well, I bought that box of crayons, and took it home with me,
And laid out all the crayons so the crayons could all see. . . .

They watched me as I colored with Red and Blue and Green,
and Black and White and Orange, and every color in between.

They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shinning bright on White clouds drifting by.

Colors changing as they touched, becoming something new.
They watched me as I colored. They watched me till I was through.

And when I'd finally finished, I began to walk away.
And as I did the crayon box had something more to say. . . .

"I do like Red!" said Yellow And Green said, "So do I!
And, Blue, you were terrific, So high up in the sky!"

We are a box of crayons, Each one of us is unique
But when we get together . . . The picture is complete.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the crayons didn't like each other at the beginning of the poem?
2. How did the crayons' feelings change by the end of the poem? What caused this change?
3. What do you think the poet means when they say, "Colors changing as they touched, becoming something new"?
4. How is a box of crayons similar to a group of people?
5. What does the line "The picture is complete" mean to you?
6. Have you ever felt like one of the crayons at the beginning of the poem? How did you overcome those feelings?

Activities

1. Crayon Self-Portrait:
Ask each child to choose a crayon color they feel represents them and draw a self-portrait. Then have them share why they chose that color.

2. Collaborative Art Project:
Create a large mural where each child contributes using a different color. Discuss how each color adds to the overall picture.

3. Role-play:
Assign each child a color and have them act out the poem, expressing the emotions of their crayon character.

4. "Our Class Box of Crayons" Book:
Have each child create a page about themselves, describing what makes them unique. Compile these into a class book.

5. Color Scavenger Hunt:
Go on a nature walk or around the classroom and have children find objects of different colors, discussing how each contributes to the overall environment.

6. Friendship Bracelet:
Using colored strings or beads, have children create friendship bracelets with many different colors to represent diversity and unity.

Bonus resources provided by HolocaustResources.org: For video, discussion questions, activities, theater script, color matching activity, lesson plans, curriculum, freebie writing papers, crayon templates, and more.