Snap!

by Hazel Hutchins, Dušan Petričić (Illustrator)

What could be more perfect than a brand new set of crayons? Evan can't wait to use them, until Snap! the brown one breaks in two. Then one by one, the others break, get crushed, are blown away, or simply disappear. How can he possibly draw when there's no green, purple, or even black?

Evan feels like throwing things, but instead, he scribbles using all the bits and pieces that are left. But what's this? Where yellow and blue cross, there's green, and when blue and red get all mixed up, it creates just the right purple to draw monsters. Soon, all he's left with are tiny stubs of red, yellow, and blue, but Evan discovers that even with just a few crayons, he can create new and exciting art--his imagination is the only tool he needs.

The winning combination of Hazel Hutchins's lively text and Dusan Petricic's ingenious illustrations make this a wonderful addition to every young child's library.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Storytime, Canada, Drawing, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

Born and raised in southern Alberta, Hazel is the author of over forty books for children. Her work covers a wide age range – from picture books for the youngest set to novels for older grades – and delights in enterprising characters, interesting facts, gentle humour and the natural warmth of friendship and family. A popular presenter at schools and libraries across Canada, Hazel's books are also found in translation in many corners of the world.

Reviews

[❀Aimee❀ Just one more page... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, eye-catching illustrations are paired with an engaging child in Snap!


Evan has a brand new set of crayons and immediately gets to work creating his masterpieces. Something about the mix of the amazing illustrations, the font choice, and the storytelling makes Evan's creative energy palpable and seem to come right off the page.

We all know that well-loved crayons never stay pristine. As the crayons go through the typical stages of crayon life, Evan has inspired a-ha moments for a new way to use the changed crayon. Inspiration after inspiration, Evan continues to draw until the crayons are used up and there is nothing more he can do...or are there more discoveries to come after all?

Thank you Netgalley and Annick Press Ltd. for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this on *netgalley I just knew I had to request it. Not only was the cover amazing but the book summary had me desperate to read it to my son.

Evan has a brand new set of crayons. But before he knows it the brown one breaks. Soon one after the other all of his crayons begin to break. But that doesn't stop him. With each new broken or missing crayon he discovers something new like combining colors to make new colors and making rubbings on the paper from coins and paper clips.

I loved this book. I love that Evan become angry at his crayon for break. We've all seen the frustration that pours forth from a child who has just broken a crayon. But more importantly I love that he discovers new ways to use his crayons and that even when he no longer can color with them he finds a new way to start new adventures with his drawings. I think it says a lot that children should fully embrace their creativity and go with the flow. Discover new ways to make art.

The illustrations in this were wonderful. It definitely gives the feel of a child artist on a roll frenzied roll with artwork. Never stopping just keeps drawing drawing drawing. The colors are perfect and really follows the flow of the story. I want to add this book to my collection! I love that the cover shows the colors almost splashing out from the broken crayon.

My son loved this one and took out his crayons and some paper afterwards and began to draw. While he didn't get into the long frenzied drawing of Evan he did spend a good (blissfully quiet) 20 minutes drawing cats and blue skies and what might have been a flower.


5 out of 5 stars.



*I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion
**This book was read with my special needs son who is severely learning disabled. The review reflects not only my opinion but his as well

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story! I was excited to share this with my students as it talks about mixing colors. I also enjoyed how your crayon didn't need to be perfect to create something! I have since purchased this book for our school library and have had the honour of hosting Ms. Hutchins at our school! Great story!

[Laura McLoughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book, better than the book itself. Being optimistic and making the most out of an unfortunate situation are certainly important ideas to present to children. But most standard crayons you would give to a child do not blend that well in real life

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another crayon book, but this time the crayons are not anthropomorphized. Instead, this is about the joys of a new box of crayons and the even greater joys that are possible when the crayons break.

The downside of this book is that it may encourage kids to deliberately break their crayons. But then, if it inspires them to the sort of creativity as the hero here, it's a good thing.
( And this would be great to read to the sort of little prince/princess who raises hell when the crayons break and whines for a new box immediately. )

[Allie]

I occasionally babysit for twin 4 year old girls (they're the best) and this would be such a fun read + craft book. And I just got some jumbo crayons on clearance!

[Heather McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evan explores with his trusty crayon box.

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une histoire de crayons, dans laquelle Éric réalise que la cassure de son crayon brun peut être le début d'une révolution! Rouler pour créer des textures, travailler des deux mains, mélanger les couleurs pour en créer de nouvelles, c'est une véritable exploration artistique, jusqu'à ce que le livre lui-même s'en trouve changé.

Ce livre est bâti comme un calepin de dessins, donc est essentiellement épuré sur les lignes et blanc sur le fond, de manière à accentuer les couleurs des crayons. Un rendu agréable à l'oeil et bien trouvé.
Un livre sur la force de l'imaginaire, la curiosité artistique et le potentiel audacieux de quelques crayons, rempli de péripéties amusantes et de quelques animaux un peu chapardeurs.

Catégorisation: Album fiction, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans+
Note: 7/10

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one that I want to remember for use in our co-op preschool when we talk about colors. It's a very cute book that teaches, in a fun way, the basics of color and how three primary colors can mix to create a greater variety. I also appreciated the lesson on optimism and making the best of things. The name of the book comes from the sound that happens when one of his brand new crayons breaks. Though at first he is sad, he soon realizes the opportunity it gives him to draw two lines together. The same thing happens when other things happen to damage his crayons and he finds alternative uses for them - rubbings, for example.

[Katie Oflibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Hazel Hutchins tells the story of Evan, a little boy, and his crayons. At Evan is delighted with his new box of crayons. The the first crayon breaks and he has to adjust. A broken crayon becomes two crayons. Missing green? Well, what happens when we colour in yellow and blue, etc.

The book is spartan with just the character Evan and having a wonderful time experimenting with crayons. Hutchins uses the passive voice beautifully so it's clear that the crayons are not being broken on purpose but, rather, Evan has found a way to celebrate the natural decay of the crayon set.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

This was one that I chose for us to read. This has a fun art style designed to look like the child within the story has drawn them. As well as talking about colours it also looks at how to mix colours (like red and yellow to make orange).

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snap! is about Evan and his crayons. Evan starts the book with a new set of crayons. However, one breaks. Evan tries to fix it, but he can't. He learns there are advantages to broken crayons. He makes rubbings and adds texture. He mixes colors to make up for missing crayons. When the crayons are finally all used up, he tries to think of some way to make them grow into new crayons. But instead, he uses the paper to start new explorations.

I love the illustrations -- the pages are mainly white and what color is there looks like it's added with crayons.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun creative story about art, colors, and problem solving.

A preschool aged storytime could use this book to teach about colors.

An art teacher at school could talk about all the different creative things Evan did.

A school teacher could talk about problem solving, and how to use real life examples in your own writing to show character growth. This story could be used for many different ages.

[Lindsy C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for guided reading in grade 3/4. I was able to help students learn about/practice a number of literary skills: making predictions, inferencing, applying information from pictures, and identifying sound words (a simple introduction to onomatopoeia!). We also made cross-curricular connections to Math and Art!

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was good and unique, but not captivating. I'm not sure exactly what didn't work about it. I like the illustrator's work on other books, and to a degree here. And concept-wise it has a lot in common with What If... by Samantha Berger. But overall it's less engaging. My three year old also didn't seem enthused by it, which meant maybe I didn't read it enough times for it to grow on me

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great children's book! Excellent in the classroom as a hook for art or language lessons, writing prompts, etc.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on artistic discoveries and creativity. Color mixing introduction.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations! Fun, colorful book about what it means to improvise.

[Rebecca Mckenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very colourful and fun picture book for young children!

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't super into the story but the illustrations were great!

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you break a crayon? What happens when you loose a color? What happens when your crayons are completely used up? Darling illustrations. Fun problem solving. Creative child.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute read. I read this book via Tumblebook.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun art story!

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just fun! Colorful illustrations!

[Frédérique Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Plusieurs liens à faire avec les arts! Du beau travail de prédiction et d'interprétation à faire avec les élèves.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but a little weird

[Cara Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love the story and narrative of this book, the illustrations of the little boy are creepy and impish.

[The Book Box]

Mama read this to me while we were reading a lot of color books.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Est-ce la fin du monde si un crayon de cire se casse tout à coup? Loin de là! C'est un monde de nouvelles possibilités qui s'offre au petit garçon dans ce livre, alors qu'on découvre avec les lui la composition des couleurs, les techniques de dessin (en relief, à plat, etc.) et les formes. À utiliser pour aborder les nuances des couleurs avec les enfants du primaire, par exemple avec le livre Colorama : imagier des nuances de couleurs.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Evan learns to make the best of a bad crayon situation. He learns to mix colors and figure out broken crayons. This is clever and fun, as well as flexible thinking, but then the ending is strange and anti-climatic. Left much to be desired.