Books for Fans of Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Lindsay Barrett
When I taught kindergarten, my class excitedly welcomed a guest reader every Friday morning. The element of surprise — what book would the visitor bring? — always elevated each title. When a father brought Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon to share on his son’s birthday, the enthusiasm was contagious: “I have this book!” “Oh, I love this one!” “I read this book in preschool!”
What makes this classic title so appealing? Is it the peaceful, meandering plot? The charming celebration of possibility? The reassuring conclusion? The adorably creative Harold himself? Probably all of the above. If you’re delighted by Harold and the Purple Crayon each time you revisit it, here are several more books we think you’ll enjoy just as much.
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The Dot
Buy from:Just as Harold’s purple crayon whisks him away on an imaginative adventure, Vashti’s simple dot on a piece of paper takes her on an artistic journey. This heartfelt book from a beloved creator encourages children to embrace their creativity however it shows up.
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Oh! Look, a Boat!
Buy from:A little mouse discovers a boat and hops aboard, sailing away on the adventure of a lifetime. He passes big ships, meets new friends, and explores the faraway corners of the earth before returning home. Stunning illustrations and a Harold-worthy adventure will keep young readers captivated.
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This is Sadie
Buy from:Whereas Harold starts his imaginary journey at bedtime, Sadie gets up before the sun to begin conjuring her imaginary worlds — quietly, because “old people need a lot of sleep.” She wishes for more hours in the day because there’s so much she wants to play. As Harold makes readers want to grab a crayon and sketch a tale, this ode to the power of story will leave children searching out the nearest cardboard box to turn into just the right prop for their next adventure.
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The Night Tent
Buy from:Kids who enjoyed the magical bedtime aspect of Harold and the Purple Crayon will love this book. Unable to sleep, Watson pulls the covers over his head and discovers a dreamy world filled with magic and adventure. He gets swept into an imagination-filled journey that eventually leads him back to bed.
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The Squiggle
Buy from:Just like Harold, the young girl in this simple and engaging story knows that a line is an invitation to imagine how the space it defines might be filled. When she finds a squiggly piece of red string while on a walk with her class, her mind’s eye brims with possibilities. It’s a dancing dragon, tightrope for a circus acrobat, the burst of fireworks, and more. What will your squiggle be?
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Have You Seen My Monster? A Book of Shapes
Buy from:The line-drawn artwork with splashes of color will remind young readers of the artwork Harold makes with his crayon. Simple, entertaining, and educational, this book is an excellent addition to any child’s bookshelf.
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Windows
Buy from:A young boy takes his dog for a walk at dusk, just as the lights of the neighborhood are being switched on, illuminating evening rituals in every passing window. With quiet reverence, each detail receives careful attention, until, just like Harold, the boy returns home to cozily end his day.
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The Watering Can
Buy from:Instead of a purple crayon, Nina discovers a magical watering can. When her plant grows large enough to fill an entire room in her house, Nina wonders what else the watering can is capable of. She quickly discovers the can holds countless adventures, limited only by her imagination.
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Journey
Buy from:This wordless portrayal of a young girl’s epic escape from boredom begins when she uses a red crayon to draw a door — a door so inviting, she steps right through it. As her journey unfolds, she uses her red crayon to outline a boat, hot air balloon, magic carpet, and more. In a departure from the solitary tradition of Harold — but no less worthy of a satisfied sigh — the tale ends with the girl finding an equally imaginative friend.
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How to Draw a Brave Chicken
Buy from:This hilarious picture book combines simple how-to-draw instructions with a giggle-worthy, interactive story. The book starts with a lesson on drawing a chicken, but when it comes to life, the narrator gives her a suit of armor, a horse, a dragon, a trampoline, and some friends. As the story grows with each additional drawing, the chicken embarks on a Harold-esque adventure that kids will love.
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When Sadness is at Your Door
Buy from:Sparse but meaningful sketches portray Sadness as an unexpected visitor in a child’s life. The reassuring text takes readers on the child’s coping journey, from acknowledgment to acceptance to Sadness’s eventual departure. With Harold’s gentleness, this title takes on the important task of helping children navigate a universal emotion.
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I Can Only Draw Worms
Buy from:Dust off your counting fingers and get ready to giggle your way through this quirky counting book. The narrator can only draw worms, so they make some worms different colors and give others identifying items (like glasses). The simple drawings and interactive nature will remind young readers of Harold’s adventures with his crayon.
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City Moon
Buy from:Harold’s internal monologue is one of the qualities that makes him so endearing, and the conversations between the child in this story and his mother have a similar effect. It’s with unabashed exuberance that the boy spots the moon on an evening walk, encapsulating the magic in bundling up for a special trip after dark.
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The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
Buy from:Readers love how Harold experiences the world like a child — with imagination blending into reality. This gorgeous, colorful book from beloved creator Eric Carle encourages children to embrace their unique perspective and express it in their artwork. From a blue horse to an orange elephant, Carle challenges the “rules” of art and invites children to paint the world as they see it.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2025.