gift ideas – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson

Many years ago, in the very early days of this blog Caramel reviewed a classic, Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson. Today he is talking to Sprinkles about a sequel of sorts, Harold at the North Pole, published originally in 1957.

Sprinkles: I was so excited to find this little book last week! So even though it is a Christmas book and we are nowhere close to Christmas, I thought it would be fun to talk about it today.

Caramel: Yup. And I agreed. Because who doesn’t want to talk about Santa Claus and snow and Christmas gifts?

S: I know, right? I mean we just couldn’t wait till December.. Anyways, our readers probably remember Harold, the little boy in blue overalls who creates the world around him with his ginormous purple crayon.

C: Yeah, I would expect so. You and I talked about Harold and the Purple Crayon all the way back in 2020, so if they don’t remember, they can just read our old post.

S: Yep. That was right around the time the pandemic really took off!

C: Yeah, the pandemic was around that time, which was pretty terrible. But the book was really good. And later, we also saw the live-action movie, which was actually pretty good.

S: Yeah, I remember watching it with you and liking it. It seems like the critics didn’t like it much, but we enjoyed it.

C: Yup, we did. Maybe you can put a link to the trailer in the post?

S: Sure. Here is the trailer of the movie:

Harold and The Purple Crayon: official trailer, from YouTube.

C: Thanks. It was fun to watch.

S: So let us get back to Harold at the North Pole.

C: Sure. So this is about Harold, the very same little boy, But in the cover this time he is wearing green overalls, and a red hat. Very Christmas-y!

S: Yeah, he is not in his blue overalls any more, but you are right, the red-green fits the holiday season very well. And the crayon is still purple, right?

C: Yup. So this time, Harold wants to find a Christmas tree before Santa can visit his home. So he goes out and tries to find a tree. Along the way he finds himself at the North Pole and ends up helping Santa. He also helps draw up Santa’s reindeer and a sleigh full of presents. And finally he gets back home and settles down near a fireplace to wait for Santa.

S: Yep. That sounds about right.

C: Actually I think it kind of sounds a bit eerie. The boy is always alone, and there is nobody and nothing around him until he draws them. It is almost like a scary dream.

Caramel is reading Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson. — Caramel is reading *Harold at the North Pole* by Crockett Johnson.

S: Wait, if you read it like that, then it does not come across like a cute, warm, and fuzzy story.

C: No, it doesn’t. And when you look back at the first book, that also could be the same, with Harold all alone, making stuff up as he goes around living all alone. Abandoned.

S: Hmm, yes, I can see that. But it is not really the real world that he is in, is it? He is not all alone in a scary way really. I think maybe we are in Harold’s imaginary world, as he is recreating the world. The transitions from home, to the northern woods, to the North Pole, back home would be dizzying if real. But they are not. Harold just flows smoothly from one place to the other, as smoothly as he can draw something.

C: Or actually he does not flow anywhere and the places just smoothly flow around him as he draws them. Yes, I know, it is not really about a little child all alone in a scary way, but I just wanted to say it would be kind of weird if this were real.

S: I guess that is why the movie version made the situation so weird. Nobody would believe the grown-up Harold.

C: I wouldn’t. But you know, if the crayon were real, it would be really cool! And dangerous! All those bad people who were after the crayon in the movie, it totally makes sense, because the crayon is so powerful if you can create reality all by drawing something.

S: Yes.

C: So okay, the books are really sweet, they are not scary at all. I just wanted to say they are also a bit weird, but when read in their own story world, they are really sweet. And I think any little bunny would enjoy imagining themselves with a purple crayon and trying to figure out what they would draw with it and going into adventures with it and so on.

S: Yeah, for sure. So what would you draw with it if you had the purple crayon?

C: I would draw the seventeenth book of Wings of Fire; lock in Sutherland!

S: Not sure it works that way, Caramel…

C: Dang it. Still, lock in Sutherland, I love those books, come out with more, please.

S: Okay, maybe she will some day. She has to go forth with the new story arc she started in the sixteenth book anyways. But so you wouldn’t draw anything else? I could draw an ice cream machine that makes ice cream for me, a bubble bath, a beautiful sunset, a comfy big chair, and lots of books and bookshelves around it where I could read.. I can go on forever!

C: Well, Sprinkles, we do have lots of books and bookshelves in our house, and there is a comfy chair nearby too.

S: Yes, I know we are lucky. And maybe the things Harold draws are also kind of homelike, like a fireplace, and an armchair to sit on, and his home is also a regular home, just comfy.

C: Like our home. Our home is comfy too.

S: True… Okay, so overall what did you think of this book?

C: It is cute. It would even make sense to a young person who has not read the original book, but if the young person liked that first book, they would definitely enjoy reading this around the holidays. It would make a good Christmas gift.

S: Yeah, it is kind of surreal, but young bunnies can get into surreal stories very quickly.

C: Yeah, just ignore the probable psychological implications of why Harold has no parents, friends or any other people near him. Then it makes perfect sense.

S: You’re kidding, right? No young person would be worried reading this. Many picture books about young people don’t have other actors in them.

C: Of course, yeah, it’s not scary, it’s a nice story. It is just that parents should probably be ready if their young bunny asks them these kinds of questions. It is about fun and imagination and not abandonment. Just in case, ya know.

S: Hmm, I think you have an overactive imagination sometimes Caramel.

C: Sometimes? I am offended. I have a perfectly normal imagination. And always.

S: Okay, sorry, didn’t mean it that way. You do have a big imagination.

C: The book is about Harold going north to find a Christmas tree, and then he finds himself at the north pole, and then he draws Santa and the whole Santa workshop, and then helps him make presents, then goes home, and realizes he forgot to find a tree, so he makes one. I think Crockett Johnson has an overactive imagination.

S: Yes I definitely agree. And it all makes the book suitably fun for the holidays. Which are about seven months away…

C: But it is never too early to dream of Christmas!

S: And it is actually time for some dreams. Bedtime, Caramel?

C: Yup. I think it is right about my bedtime.

S: So then let us wrap this up. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved revisiting Harold while reading Harold at the North Pole by Crockett Johnson and hopes that many others will enjoy it this next Christmas or any other time of the year. — Caramel loved revisiting Harold while reading *Harold at the North Pole* by Crockett Johnson and hopes that many others will enjoy it this next Christmas or any other time of the year.

Caramel reviews Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems

All the book bunnies love Mo Willems and his books about the Pigeon. Caramel even reviewed a couple of them for the book bunnies blog. See, for example, his reviews of The Pigeon HAS To Go To School and Be the Bus. Today he talks to Sprinkles about a brand new Pigeon book: Will the Pigeon Graduate? As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a new book about the Pigeon!

Caramel: Yep, the best pigeon in the world is back!

S: You have read quite a lot of the other books about the Pigeon. You also reviewed two of them. What is this one about?

C: This one is about how the pigeon is growing up, and he is scared about the future after finishing school.

S: He is already graduating? How exciting!

C: Well, he had to go to school back in 2019 so I suppose it is time.

S: You are right of course. At some point school ends and the rest of life begins.

C: Yep, but I don’t like that idea.

S: Why not?

C: I like being a young bunny going to school. I like it too much.

S: Why do you like it so much? I know you learn a lot of things at school every day and I know you like learning. But you can continue to learn outside of school. too.

C: True, I guess you are right. But at school you have friends–

S: You can make friends after school, too.

C: Yes, but school friends are the best! And at school, people tell you to do things, and you do them, and that is all the work you have. You do not have to earn money, save money, buy or rent a house, and all that adult stuff.

S: I get that, Caramel. Growing up can be hard. And this is exactly what this book is about, isn’t it?

C: Yeah, I guess that the Pigeon is very smart.

S: How so?

C: Well, he knows finishing school means he has to start making important decisions and taking care of more things and being careful about all kinds of details and so on.

S: That is very much true Caramel. But in the end he gathers up his courage and decides he is ready for whatever is coming his way, right?

C: Yes.

Caramel is reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. — Caramel is reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems.

S: I am thinking this could be a really nice gift for someone finishing high school or elementary school or even college. What do you think?

C: Yep, I think in a couple of years, Marshmallow might like it. There is even a little place in the inside cover of the book for a photo of someone graduating. We could put Marshmallow’s picture there.

S: We could definitely do that. But we could also save it for you. You will also be graduating soon yourself.

C: Yes, but I am going to go to another school right after.

S: That still counts as moving to a bigger new world. That new school is bigger than your current one. And there will be a lot of changes.

C: Hmm, I am not sure I am ready for a lot of changes.

S: I know. We are not always ready but they come nonetheless. Anyways, there is still some time, but by the time that change comes, you will be ready. I am quite sure.

C: Hmm, I hope you are right, Sprinkles.

S: Remember how many years ago, you were about to change classrooms and get a new teacher and you were kind of anxious about it? We talked about it when we were discussing My Teacher Is A Robot.

C: Yeah, that was a good book. And I did end up liking my new teacher a lot. Okay, maybe you are right. Maybe I can handle some changes, just like the Pigeon.

S: Yay! That’s the right attitude Caramel! I think this is a perfect place to end this review.

C: Alright by me!

S: Okay, what would you like to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Will the Pigeon Graduate?* by Mo Willems and thinks this book would be a great gift for new graduates.

Caramel reviews Happy Narwhalidays by Ben Clanton

Caramel loved reading and reviewing the quirky adventures of Narwhal and Jelly in Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea!, Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Narwhal’s Otter Friend. Here he shares his thoughts on the fifth and most recent book in Ben Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly series: Happy Narwhalidays. Sprinkles is taking notes and occasionally asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: I saw that you got your paws on another Narwhal and Jelly book Caramel!

Caramel: Yes! Its name is Happy Narwhalidays!

S: I guess it just came out right about in time for the holiday season. Do you think it would make a good book present for bunnies like you who love reading?

C: Yes. Especially if the bunny loves the other Narwhal and Jelly books.

S: They are fun to read, aren’t they? So what happens in this one?

C: They are fun to read, and I am rereading it again, right now.

Caramel is reading Happy Narwhalidays by Ben Clanton. He is looking at the pages where Narwhal is imagining all the different gifts his friend Jelly could be giving him in the gift box. — Caramel is reading *Happy Narwhalidays* by Ben Clanton. He is looking at the pages where Narwhal is imagining all the different gifts his friend Jelly could be giving him in the gift box.

S: Hmm, I see you are looking at the pages where Narwhal is dreaming up all the things Jelly could be gifting him.

C: Yes. The ideas he has are not really possible. He thinks that the gift might be a giant waffle or a big bouncy blow-up bubble castle! Or it could be a rocket ship to take him to the unicorn planet!

S: Narwhal sure has a big imagination!

C: He sure does!

S: So the book is about giving friends gifts then, right?

C: Yes, mostly.

S: I know these books always have a whole lot of facts about ocean life, and I know you love facts. So tell me the most interesting fact you learned reading this book.

C: Let me read it to you: “Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears, are water-dwelling micro-animals that can survive in temperatures as hot as 304F (151C) and as cold as absolute zero.”

S: That is one weird fact Caramel. Do you know what absolute zero is?

C: No. Is it like -100?

S: No, actually it is even colder than that. It is -273C, and it is -459F. Absolute zero is when it is so cold that nothing moves. Heat and temperature are about molecules moving about, and at absolute zero, nothing moves anymore. It is really fascinating that these water-bears can survive that temperature.

C: I didn’t know that.

S: I do like how these books bring up all sorts of interesting facts! Okay, so what else do you want to say about this book?

C: I love Jelly. He is the best character.

S: Why do you say that?

C: He is super funny.

S: I think Narwhal is also super funny.

C: Yes. He is a little goofier.

S: I know. Theyt are good friends though, right?

C: Yes.

S: So tell me three words that would describe this book Caramel.

C: Awesome, colorful, factful.

S: I am not sure factful is a word, but let us go with it. Shall we then wrap up this review so you can read the book one more time?

C: Okay! Stay tuned for more book bunnies reviews!

Caramel loved reading Happy Narwhalidays by Ben Clanton and reconnecting with old friends Narwhal and Jelly. — Caramel loved reading *Happy Narwhalidays* by Ben Clanton and reconnecting with old friends Narwhal and Jelly.

Caramel reviews The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt

Both Marshmallow and Caramel loved The Day The Crayons Quit, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. They also very much enjoyed reading The Day The Crayons Came Home. Unfortunately, neither of them had gotten around to reviewing either of the books for the book bunnies blog. But the crayons are forgotten no more! Today Caramel reviews the third book in this amusing series: The Crayons’ Christmas. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Caramel reviews The Crayons' Christmas, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. — Caramel reviews *The Crayons’ Christmas*, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, what is this book about?

Caramel: This book is about the crayons in Duncan’s house and a candy cane that wants desperately to be eaten.

S: Wait, you need to tell our readers who Duncan is.

C: Duncan is a boy. We read about him in the other crayons books. The crayons are his.

S: So what about this candy cane? Why does it want to get eaten?

C: Because it is extremely old and it is supposed to be eaten, not put on Christmas trees!

S: So it wants to live the life it is meant to live in some sense, right?

C: Sort of.

S: So what happens in this book?

C: It’s Christmas time, and the crayons keep on getting postcards, or boxes, or games.

S: Kind of like you, right? You got this book for Christmas.

C: Yes, I did. I was so happy to get my paws on another book!

S: This is not just a book, though, right? The letters and such for the crayons are all on separate pages, inside envelopes. And you get to open them and read the cards inside.

C: Yes. It’s awesome! It is really fun to read the cards. And there is even a game in one of the packages.

Caramel is reading The Crayons' Christmas, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. — Caramel is reading *The Crayons’ Christmas*, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.

S: What is it called?

C: Let me see. Ok, I found it. It’s called The Great Crayon Race.

S: Did you play it yet?

C: No. Can we play it today?

S: Maybe. Right after we finish the post.

C: Ok.

S: Do you think this was a good Christmas gift?

C: Yes. It’s a nice book, and if you have lots of crayons, then it is fun to think of them as people.

S: Yes, people with distinct characters. And strange things have happened to them in the earlier books.

C: Yes, for example the peach crayon is naked because Duncan pulled off his wrapper. And in this one, the peach crayon receives a card from his mom, and she writes “Oh Peachy-Pie! You always were my shy one, so I’ve sent you some clothes! Now you can give Duncan back his underwear! Have fun playing dress-up, my naked baby, and Merry Christmas! Love, Mom.”

S: That is funny! And it is neat that the threads from the other books come up here too.

C: Yes. The orange crayon and the yellow crayon are still fighting in this book too!

S: That is funny too! Ok, maybe it is time to wrap this up?

C: Sure, just like a Christmas gift! Stay tuned for more book bunnies adventures!

Caramel really enjoyed reading and exploring all the goodies within The Crayons' Christmas, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. — Caramel really enjoyed reading and exploring all the goodies within *The Crayons’ Christmas*, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers.