A family podcast about classic children’s books and the impact they have on us long into adulthood. In each episode, we talk about one popular children's book from the past, uncovering the unique story behind the story. While sitting down with famous, award-winning authors, we investigate the timeless themes in kids’ books.

Harold and the Purple Crayon: Exploration and Play are Just a Stroke Away (ft. Chris Van Allsburg &amp; Brian Pinkney) 
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Do you remember reading Crockett Johnson&#039;s Harold and the Purple Crayon? To his friends and family Crockett was Dave Leisk. You might know him best for the bold purple line that gives shape to the spare illustrations of Harold and Purple Crayon, published in 1955. 
 
In this episode, Chris Van Allsburg and Brian Pinkney reflect on the influence Harold and the Purple Crayon had on them, their work, and the value they believe it offers young readers. 
 
To learn more about Chris Van Allsburg’s, or Brian Pinkney’s books, visit 
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=chris+van+allsburg 
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=brian+pinkney 
 
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. 
 
 
[1:55] Does loving Harold and the Purple Crayon as a child guarantee future artistic talent? 
 
[5:47] Bad Day at Riverbend follows the style of a coloring book with a twist. 
 
[10:44] Similar to Brandon&#039;s blanket in Brian&#039;s book Brandon and the Baby, Harold&#039;s purple crayon conjures magic at every turn 
 
[14:17] Brian and Chris embrace play and experimentation in their creative process, albeit with distinct approaches. 
 
[18:36] Artists like Crockett Johnson have a long tradition of mentoring, motivating, and celebrating younger generations’ work. 
 
[23:57] Filmmakers have cracked the story and are bringing Harold and the Purple Crayon to the big screen. 
 
[26:53] Maurice Sendak, Brian, and Chris believe Harold and the Purple Crayon offers value to young readers. 
 
 
Continue Your Journey: 
Brian Pinkney 
HarperCollins 
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Shareables: 
 
“The concept behind Harold and the Purple Crayon was so simple. Something so easily grasped by a child and yet so fruitful in terms of the kind of narrative opportunities. The story you can tell having embraced this simple, magical idea of a crayon that could be used to create the world that Harold moved through.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of Bad Day at Riverbend 
 
“The conclusion I came to, and it might overlap slightly with Harold, but it was the idea that in our lives that fate can be as fickle as a 6-year-old with a yellow crayon.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of Bad Day at Riverbend 
 
“You can create magic in any moment even when things seem like it’s perilous. You can still, you know, use your imagination to come up with a solution.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! 
 
“Sometimes I&#039;ll paint things before I know what they&#039;re going to be and I don’t see it until it’s already painted and then I can make, you know, changes and that’s when the play begins.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! 
 
“It was fascinating to see that the young artists were not only interested in how I taught them art but in me as a person and that I valued what they were making.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! 
 
“I love it when books become movies because I love seeing how a different format and a different eye and different creative process will envision something.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver!

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