Review Detail

The Crayon Stub

Kids Fiction 235

What can you draw with only one crayon?

May 14, 2025 (Updated: June 30, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Big Cat is inspired to create a fantastic work of art, especially since he has a brand new box of crayons, but when he goes to draw, all that is left is the stub of a red crayon. This is a tragedy! How will he ever achieve greatness? Trailed by by Little Cat (who doesn't speak), he has idea after idea, but nothing will work for his grand project. Just when he has some inspirtion, Little Cat runs off with the crayon. Not only that, but he eats it! Ingesting it is not a great idea, and before long, Little Cat has a "technicolor yawn" all over a piece of paper. Now Big Cat has no chances to be creative... or does he. Using the paper, he creates a self portrait of the two, complete with hearts.

Good Points

Oh, the thrill of a new box of crayons, and the disappointment when they are damaged! Young readers will empathize with Big Cat's desire to do something fantastic, and his annoyance at Little Cat getting in his way. While I can just envision the parents' reaction to being presented with a cat yak magnum opus ("You want me to hang this... on the refrigerator? Near FOOD?"), this is a giggle worthy inclusion, and much more interesting that the drawings of dinosaurs and volcanos.

The digitally created drawings are reminiscent of Carle's tissue paper collage style, but there are some crayoned creations as well. The shapes are bold and simple, and the expressions on the cats' faces are amusing. The hand lettered style font is clear and crisp, and there's just enough text on each page to make this a quick read aloud.

This would make a great gift for an older sibling along with books about drawing and the creative process like Art’s Supplies by Tougas or I Am An Artist by Altés. Of course, a fresh new box of crayons never hurts, or an activity like Smit's The Kids' Book of Craft Love, which is meant to be cut up. That would be a book that Big Cat would definitely want to keep away from Little Cat!