Age rating and parents' guide:The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt
Ages 6–8
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is best for children aged 6–8. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
When Duncan opens his crayon box, he finds a stack of letters instead. Each crayon has a humorous grievance: Blue is worn down from coloring endless oceans, Red needs a break from fire engines, Peach is embarrassed to be peeled, and Yellow and Orange aren't speaking over who is the true color of the sun. Told entirely through these colorful notes and playful artwork, this story entertains young readers while offering a clever look at creativity, feelings, and seeing things from different perspectives.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Picture book
- Easy to get into from the first page
- Plenty of illustrations
- Emotionally light
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Art & drawing
Reading mood
- Playful
Good to talk about
- Creativity & writing
Books like The Day the Crayons Quit
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 6–8
Beautiful Oops!
by Barney Saltzberg
This playful, interactive picture book demonstrates how accidents and blunders can spark wonderful new ideas. Through clever pop-ups, fold-outs, torn edges, and paint spills, Barney Saltzberg shows young readers that a spill can become an animal or a rip can become an alligator's mouth. It is an uplifting, reassuring read that encourages a growth mindset, helping children worry less about making mistakes and feel excited to embrace their own creative experiments.
Ages 6–8
Ish
by Peter H. Reynolds
Ramon loves to draw anything and everything, until his older brother laughs at one of his pictures and shatters his confidence. Ready to give up on art entirely, Ramon discovers that his little sister has secretly been saving his crumpled sketches on her bedroom walls. Seeing his work through her eyes, he learns that art does not have to look exact—it just needs to capture a feeling and be "ish." It is a gentle, reassuring story that encourages creative freedom and helps young children let go of perfectionism.
Ages 6–8
Art & Max
by David Wiesner
Arthur is an experienced lizard painter working quietly on a canvas when eager young lizard Max bursts in, desperate to paint too. Encouraged to paint Arthur, Max takes the instruction a bit too literally, unleashing an inventive and wildly chaotic chain of artistic transformations. The lizards unravel, crack, dissolve, and reassemble using different artistic mediums and techniques. It is a visually hilarious, creative adventure that delights children with its slapstick physical comedy and playful look at how art is made.
Ages 6–8
Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson
Armed with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold decides to go for a walk under the moonlight. When things are missing from his nighttime journey, he simply draws them into existence, from paths and oceans to pies and dragons. This timeless, gentle story celebrates the power of creativity and imaginative problem-solving. Children love watching Harold control his own little world, while the calm pacing and simple illustrations make it ideal for bedtime reading.
Ages 6–8
The Invisible String
by Patrice Karst
During a scary thunderstorm, a mother comforts her twins by sharing a comforting secret: an invisible string made of love connects people to everyone they care about, no matter how far apart they are. As the children explore how far the string reaches, they realise they are never truly alone. This gentle, reassuring picture book offers comfort for children facing separation anxiety, grief, or changes in the family, providing an easy-to-grasp metaphor that stays with them.
Ages 6–8
Firebird
by Misty Copeland
Groundbreaking ballerina Misty Copeland shares an encouraging message with an aspiring young dancer who struggles with self-doubt. Through lyrical text and vibrant, energetic illustrations, Misty shows the girl that dedication, hard work, and passion can help her reach her dreams on stage. This warm, uplifting picture book gently reassures young children that everyone starts somewhere and that persistence can turn hesitation into soaring confidence.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.