Frankencrayon

by Michael Hall

Ingenuity and surprise rule in this funny and colorful companion to A Crayon’s Story written and illustrated by Michael Hall, the New York Times–bestselling creator of My Heart Is Like a Zoo.

The crayons are ready to tell the thrilling tale of Frankencrayon. The costumes are made, the roles are cast, the pages are all set—but then disaster strikes. Someone has scribbled on the page! Hideous! Horrifying! The story can’t go on! Try as they might, the crayons can’t erase the scribble, and this picture book must be canceled. Until the crayons playing the title role of Frankencrayon think of a solution, that is. Michael Hall breaks borders and invites readers behind the scenes with his irresistible, clever style and bold artwork. A book about seeing beauty in unexpected places and the magic of storytelling.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Halloween, Art, Monsters, Fiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2016

About the author

Michael Hall is the author/illustrator of The New York Times bestseller, My Heart Is Like a Zoo, as well as the critically acclaimed Perfect Square, It’s an Orange Aardvark, Red: A Crayon’s Story, and Frankencrayon.

Before becoming a children’s author, Michael was an award-winning graphic designer whose work — including graphic identities for the City of Saint Paul, Macalester College, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Hennepin County Medical Center — has been widely recognized for its simple and engaging approach.

Michael lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

While walking today - not feeling zippy-perky- (my nephew is pretty sick with Covid- and another cousin is in the hospital from a stroke after getting hit on the head while he was surfing)
This happy news arrived this morning.
I kinda went inward from the news....knew I wasn’t up for social connecting. ( be it phone, or online exchanges)...
So....I made myself ‘walk’.....and stayed on the trail for almost 3 hours.
The weather here in the Bay Area is gorgeous today > like a blue sky summer day ( in January )....

I also knew I didn’t want to invest into a long - juicy novel - no matter how good it might be - ( I’m working up to ‘go-for-it- LONG — novel...perhaps the 800-1000 page kind- a story to get lost into)....
But....today wasn’t that day.

I’m happy about yesterday’s impeachment news....(that’s my best ‘review’ of this year).....
But....still low....
My choices for walking ....were either silence, music, or try out the Audible freebies....( like podcasts or short stories)
I did all three:
The silence thing
The music thing,
And
THREE — short AUDIBLE ORIGINALS. .....( short & sweet)

So....this ONE REVIEW....is for all 3 books:

1- Dispossession by Tayari Jones ....
....read by Gabrielle Union. 57 minutes

GREAT ...THOUGHT PROVOKING SHORT STORY. If you like Tayari Jones....and short stories....then this is a great 57 minute choice.
A mother sends her black son to an exclusive boarding school in Vermont to remove him from the city violence in Atlantic.
I’ll say no more..... BUT I FOUND SAD!!! Really Good.....but, I went into a little mother-sadness.... ( 5 stars)


2 - Frankencrayon by Michael Hall
.....read by Robin Miles 8 minutes long
It’s cute....even adorable - with wisdom to boot....but any longer than 8 minutes would have been too long ( 3 stars)


3- Childhood, Interrupted by Sanjay Gupta MD
.....read by Sanjay 46 minutes
THIS WAS REALLY GOOD!!!! ....personal, valuable, thought provoking, ( like....parents could have long discussions together about this book), informative, great tips, loving.....
And Shhhhh.....
.....I enjoyed this short 46 minutes with Sanjay more than I did his new book about brain health, “Keep Sharp”.....
In fact I learned NEW INFORMATION ABOUT BRAIN- health-& development—(practical and tangible daily life positives), ‘for’ children and their families— that really inspired me.
Sanjay is a beautiful man...doctor, husband, father, and humanitarian...
IT SHOWS IN THIS SHORTY-FREEBIE.
Well, time spent. ( 5 stars)

Hmmm? How to post this ....for three separate books...
I guess post them individually....( reprise, reprise, reprise)

Happy News of the day:
“Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical”, has raised over 1 million for struggling actors

[Amy Hesterman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute ending but very difficult to follow. What I thought would be an ideal book for my Kindergarteners, seems to have the potential of just confusing them. Expected more...didn't get it.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! This is one book that you would WANT you children to scribble in (there is a lot of scribbling inside) so that you can keep it as a treasured memento of Halloweens past!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm diggin' all these crayon picture book stories. Probably some psychological flashback to childhood memories of happy coloring? Nah, probably something more nefarious or demented.

Regardless, this is just plain fun and I'm sure kids will love the silliness. It starts with the bold declaration that the book has been canceled, find something else to read. But then Green declares, "Tell them about the scribble..." and the fun begins.

Clever, colorful. I so wish I could write my review in crayon...

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author/artist Michael Hall delivers an entertaining meta-fictional picture-book concoction with Frankencrayon, as signs warn the reader from the beginning that the story has been cancelled. Apparently, in the midst of a 'Frankencrayon' play being enacted by crayons and directed by a pencil, a mysterious scribble appears, and cannot be undone. Eventually the players (AKA crayons) decamp, although the director forgets to alert those playing the eponymous monster. All of this is explained to the reader, who has 'mistakenly' opened the book, although the mysterious source of the scribble itself is left to the final page...

I enjoyed Frankencrayon quite a bit, being reminded by turn of such meta-fictional picture-books as Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt and Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask To Be in This Book!) by Julie Falatko, as well as other crayon stories, such as Oliver Jeffers' The Day the Crayons Quit . The theme of crayon characters seems quite popular right now - Hall himself has an earlier book entitled Red: A Crayon's Story - as does the idea of book characters running the show (or not, as the case may be) themselves. This example of the meta-fictional crayon story is entertaining, with bright, colorful illustrations and an engaging and humorous tale. Recommended to any child who has read and enjoyed any of the titles mentioned above, as well as to any Michael Hall fans.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Michael Hall’s book and this one is as hilarious and the rest of his books. The book was cancelled because of a scribble. When the crayons try to help, things spiral out of control.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of unexpected twists, this book about Frankencrayon was surprising and fun.

[Margaret Chind]

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama. Frankencrayon has made his day!


When I see a new book from Michael Hall, I know a few things. I know that is going to be ridiculously silly and fun and full on educational. He definitely does not disappoint with his latest January 2016 release in Frankencrayon. These are the type of books that I love to give my preschool and primary grade level kiddos. I love to see their imaginations spark as they think, hmm, maybe I can do something like this! I truly enjoy how his plot line is interesting enough to entertain the adults, yet thrilling enough to tickle the fancy of any child. There are lots of emotions in this one, but fun to discuss and keep in check!

 

 
This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The crayon lead production of Frankenstein is all ready to go until the giant squiggle appears in the sky. Can they solve the problem, or will they have to cancel this book before we even get a chance to read it?

This is a delightfully funny picture book that parents will definitely appreciate. It breaks the fourth wall as the crayons tell us the story of why they can’t tell us the story of Frankenstein. After things are resolved, we get a couple of fun and appropriate morals that don’t lecture us. I’m not sure the very youngest of kids will understand all the jokes, but older picture book fans should get them with some help from their parents.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the brilliance of Red: A Crayon's Story, but this interactive picture book still works on a number of levels - humorous, educational, and emotional. Like all Michael Hall's picture books, it is layered and can appeal to a variety of age groups. I especially appreciate the addition of the pencil as director/narrator in this one. Fun twist ending too. I really hope Michael Hall creates more of these anthropomorphic crayon books.

[Magpie67 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm definitely buying this book for my Halloween collection... It's just that awesome! All the crayon books are worthy to own. So here is a story that suddenly becomes cancelled because of a scribble. What a hoot!

Orange, green and purple are Frankencrayon and there is a cast of crayons playing the scared townspeople and a crew. Also there is the pencil, who is the narrator. I love the imagination!

Super fun ending! A must read for children and adults.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun play on books and stories, Hall presents the telling of Frankencrayon!!!--Oh, what's that? It's been cancelled? Oh dear. Pencil reveals the mystery behind the book's cancellation including a fun banter between the publisher and Pencil. A delightful turn of a story.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crayons are unhappy because their picture book, Frankencrayon, has been cancelled even though the cast is ready with costumes and set. However, when a reader begins reading the book, the story of what happened is told. Much more playful than Hall's The Red Crayon, this is a fun read aloud with a pitch perfect ending.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The crayons are back and are ready to tell the story of Frankencrayon. The roles have been cast, the pages are set but the picture book has been cancelled. Someone has scribbled on the page! The story can’t go on! or can it. Reviewer 11

[Andrew Dearborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually really funny!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delightful little romp, replete with cleverness. Most notably, a shocking twist of an ending.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to share with students especially around Halloween. Wonderful lesson in sometimes mistakes aren’t so bad after all!

[Alondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. “Hello class today we will be reading the book ‘Frankencrayon’ by Micheal Hall. I will be reading the first two pages so we can then talk about what may happen later on in the story. (I will read the pages and allow the students to think about what might happen next. Class in the book it says that this picture book is canceled! Wow, why might that be? Turn to your shoulder partner on your right and tell them why you might think it might be canceled. Can I have three of you raise your hand and share what your shoulder partner told you (students raise their hands to share) Thank you for sharing. Now let's look at the illustrations on the very first page. We see some crayons in different categories like the horrible monster, the frightened townspeople, and the narrator/crew. Now I want you to look at the picture and the details and think to yourself about what might happen in the story. Why might this book ‘Frankencrayon’ be canceled? Why might the crayons be separated into different categories? This is definitely an interesting book class. (students will be given time to think and process the questions being asked. I think it's time we keep reading and find out why this mysterious book might be canceled…

2. I chose three book openings. I read some of the text to engage the attention of the students. The second book opening I did was that I drew attention to the illustrator craft. The last book opening I did was that I raise questions so the readers could think about them in their minds.

3. The first book opening that I did was that I read some of the text to engage the attention of the students so they could think about what might happen next in the story. This book was interesting because in the first two pages it says that the picture book is canceled and that the reader should no longer read. I thought that reading that would spark curiosity in the reader's mind and have them think about why the book might be canceled. The second book opening I did was that I drew attention to the illustrators work so the students could look at the details and notice the crayons being split into categories. This led me to my third book opening which was that I asked the students questions so they could think about the questions and truly process them in their own minds. These questions would have the students wonder and start thinking about the plot of the book.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So this book is really fun, it’s called Frankencrayon. The characters in this story aren’t talking to each other, but to you the reader. They had a problem in their story, and they are telling you about what went wrong. It’s like when you watch YouTube and the person in the video is trying to tell you something or explain what they are doing. It’s not the same as watching characters in a movie.” The story is about crayons, and they tell you some of the story, but you also hear from the story’s writer, who is a pencil.

I would open to page 2 and show them what I mean by the crayons talking and the pencil talking.

“This story also has a flashback. A flashback is seeing or reading something that happened in the past. So here on this page (still page two) we have the present. The characters are telling us about how their story has been canceled. Here on page three, the pencil is telling us what happened that caused the story to be canceled. The pencil narrates the flashback and the crayons play themselves. After the flashback we go back to the crayons and pencil in the present.”
I chose this opening because of the way the story was written. I wanted the students to understand that the characters don’t act like normal characters, because they are talking to the reader. The second part of my opening is talking about the flashback. The story starts in the present, has a flashback, and then ends back in the present. For someone who doesn’t know what a flashback is, it can be confusing.

[Jennifer Luczynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have been learning about our colors, what are some of your favorite colors? [Children respond] There are so many great colors, you guys named a few, but what if your favorite colored crayons were people? This story is about crayons putting on a play! Would you guys go see a play put on by crayons? [Children Respond] Can Crayons be like people and put on plays and talk? [Children respond] Its very silly right? But there are many different kinds of people and this story has crayons as people. Oh no! I just read the first page and it says the book was canceled! Should we see what happens with the crayons? [Children respond] but the book is canceled, that means there is no book! Do you think the story goes on? Let's find out.

Foreshadow the problem of the story and Raise interest in topic or theme

I chose to Foreshadow the problem because the problem is stated on the first page and it helps get the children engaged in where the story is going to go and what will happen. Starting out asking about favorite colors and crayons as people help set the topic of different people but also the different colors which is what I was trying to teach.

[Ryan Cinfel]

Opening Moves: Alert children to the unique features of the text, such as it's structure or narrator, and raise questions to spark curiosity
Script:
“We have a book today called Frankencrayon…Can you guess what it could be about?”
Student Responses
“I’ve read this before to a kindergarten class before. There is a specific reason they really enjoyed it. Is there anything that the author or illustrator did to make this a little different from other books?”
Student Responses
“I want to find the page I had this morning. So if we open up to this page here, we can tell there is something happening in the story. The author is up here.” Read the Page “Is it just the author telling the story? What is he doing?
Student Responses
“He’s showing the characters and telling us how they are reacting to what is happening…We are trying to figure out what is going on, and how it related to this guy (the cover). The author is giving us info to make us want to figure it out. Our author is adding something about the book being cancelled. Do you think by doing this, the author is making you want to read the story?”
Student Responses
“Very good, it is raising a mystery. We are going to read to Frankencrayon to find out more about the scribble and what is happening behind the scenes.”

[Edith]

1. Who likes to color with crayons? Has anyone ever seen a crayon dressed up in a costume? In our book today our green crayon is dressed up as Frankenstein but his name is Frankencrayon instead. What do you guys think your favorite crayon could be dressed up as in the book?
2. - Raise questions in the readers minds
- foreshadow the problem
3. I wanted to ask students questions about colors because they use them all the time. I wanted them to think about crayons in costumes because in the book crayons are dressed up in costumes. I also foreshadowed by telling them the green crayon is dressed up and I had them think of their favorite color in a costume. This way when we start reading the book it isn’t a surprise that the colors have costumes on.

[Karen Upper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super fun story...which I had the classroom and teacher totally engaged in reading all the various 'crayon' parts aloud! Even the most shyest of student ended up gaining confidence in the crayon character they choose to represent!
I loved how this tale drew out the students..which was a grade 4 ......so in my estimation I highly recommend this book ... it can be read at any age!
FIVE STARS!!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally adorable book with simple, colorful illustrations. My 5 year old loved it.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun one!

[Alicia Wikstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a kids book makes me laugh it gets 5 stars.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes a special author to be able to pull off such a crazy, funny, silly idea. First you see a poster for the “Frankencrayon Picture Book Cast and Crew” stamped “Canceled.” Then the comments from the “characters” (various crayons) begin as they beg the yellow pencil to tell the story of what happened with the scribble. Even the “publisher” speaks. The creativity continues throughout and…. [Aaaaaa! Spoiler deleted under threat of a giant scribble!].
The ideas are both simple and complex, encompassing three layers: original story, the story of what went wrong, and the story of the cancellation. Not your usual picture book, though lately, there are many crashing through the “fourth wall” with reckless abandon. It’s a fun book to share with kids to stretch your minds and get the imagination rolling. (Admittedly, most kids don’t need help with that, it’s just us grownups.) It reminds me of another favorite, This is a Moose! by Richard Morris.

[Emily Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the cutest kid's books that I have read! If my college roommates and I enjoyed this book, a classroom of children is sure to love it!

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite what you may have read in the synopsis, this book has *not* (and should not!) be "cancelled." Hall's "Frankencrayon" will have readers of all ages in stitches, as the sassy notes (breaking the "fourth wall"), rich vocabulary, and unique dialogue between crayons/characters combine to build a memorable story.

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another crayon book by the author who wrote the book "Red: A Crayon's Story". In the story the crayons are talking about the creation of the book but unfortunately their is a scribble that keeps getting bigger and the book gets cancelled. Well, no one told Frankencrayon (which is actually three crayons dressed up like Frankenstein) , who was on page 22 and they helped the scribble to talk and walk out of the book solving the problem. It is a cute book and kids will like it!