The Last Two Crayons

February 15, 2023
Sienna usually loves art class--but today is different. The spring art show is only a day away, and Sienna, a young Black girl, is excited. When tan-skinned Ms. Graham puts a handful of crayons on the table, within seconds, all the colors are grabbed up except for dark brown and light brown. Sienna is upset, especially when the other students tease her for her slowness. A classmate mocks, "Have fun drawing mud and dog poop." Ms. Graham encourages Sienna to think of all the great things that can be drawn with brown crayons. However, when Sienna tries to imagine roses and rainbows in hues of brown, she is discouraged. After a classmate references chocolate, Sienna perks up and draws a cone with three scoops of chocolate ice cream. A student mentions a grizzly bear, which inspires another drawing for Sienna. Finally, Sienna thinks of her mother's golden skin and her father's dark brown skin and draws her own family--a perfect piece for the art show. Freeman-Haskin's narrative is matter-of-fact but uplifting, affirming the beauty of brown skin and opening the door to discussions about race and skin tone. Robinson's vibrant cut-paper illustrations are layered with texture and movement, giving the book a collagelike feel and depicting a diverse class. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sensitive and age-appropriate tale to spark conversations about skin color. (Picture book. 3-6)

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June 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-Freeman-Haskin debuts with this story of Sienna, a Black child who is left to draw for an upcoming art show with the only crayons available to her, two different shades of brown. Andy, a white boy with yellow hair and blue eyes, teases her about the ugly things she'll have to draw, but others in the class-which features children of a variety of ethnicities and abilities-are more positive, leading to a chocolate waffle cone drawing and a scene of a bear in a tree. Sienna's entry into the art show, though, is a loving portrait of her family. The writing is straightforward and never belabors the emotional dynamics that already exist in the classroom, including Andy's casual and unchecked bullying and then his offer of a green crayon later. It's right out of real life, and Sienna's final drawing evolves naturally in Robinson's wonderful scenes. The characters are engaged in their work, drawing readers toward the inner and outer tussles, and delivering, just in time, a very happy ending. VERDICT A charming debut, accompanied by warm, welcoming illustrations, sure to set off conversations about the language of color and the inclusion of every hue.-Kimberly Olson Fakih

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