Cover Image

How to draw the world : Harold and the purple crayon and the making of a children's classic /

Show other versions (1)

How to Draw the World: Harold and the Purple Crayon and the Making of a Children's Classic presents the key concepts surrounding the children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon written by Crockett Johnson. It explores several questions regarding the nature of reality and creative expressi...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Nel, Philip, 1969- (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: New York : Oxford University Press, [2024].
Series:Children's classics, critically.
Subjects:
Johnson, Crockett, > 1906-1975. > Harold and the purple crayon.
Johnson, Crockett, > 1906-1975 > Criticism and interpretation.
Johnson, Crockett, > 1906-1975 > Influence.
Art in literature.
Imagination in literature.
Creative ability in children.
Picture books for children > History.
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction. How to read Harold
  • A child-sized book
  • "Taking a line for a walk"
  • Carefully planned improvisation
  • Type
  • Blurring boundaries : art & life
  • Windows. Part I, Motif & metaphor
  • "The scourge of crayon vandalism"
  • "I stubbed my toe on Harold and his damned purple crayon"
  • Children's art
  • Postwar America embraces children's creativity
  • One, two, three dimensions, or, "And the moon went with him"
  • The moon
  • The purple crayon
  • Color. Part I, Why these four?
  • Narrative & perspective
  • Humor
  • Windows. Part II, The view from Johnson's desk
  • Time
  • The real Harolds
  • Metapictures
  • The big picture
  • Where and when Is Harold?
  • Cute!
  • Color. Part II, Is Harold Black?
  • Translating Harold
  • Harold and the red crayon?
  • Dream or nightmare?
  • The end
  • Harold and me
  • Harold and you
  • Afterword. Harold in the world.