POPPY'S PERFECT CRAYONS

A little one confronts perfectionism.

Poppy the piglet has a new box of crayons with perfect points and many colors to choose from. While her friends are busily scribbling away, Poppy’s not using her crayons. If she does, she’ll spoil them, and they won’t be perfect. Poppy’s friends generously lend her their worn-out, imperfect crayons. She accepts, unconcerned they might break or be otherwise harmed, since they’re already shabby. Temporarily forgetting about perfectionism, Poppy works on a picture of a rainbow. Now, however, she needs “just a touch of lilac.” Nobody has it. Hmm. What color is dilemma? Poppy remembers her new crayon box, then surveys the pictures her friends have produced with beat-up crayons. Is it finally time for Poppy to relent? Color the answer “yes”—to the tune of Poppy scattering all her new crayons around so her pals can share them. They work together on a large drawing and make Poppy’s crayons imperfect, which is perfectly OK with her. Poppy realizes that friendship, generosity, helpfulness, and cooperation beat perfect crayons. This sweet story makes the point that maintaining friendships and having fun, especially collaboratively, are more important than holding on to unworkable, rigid ideas. Poppy demonstrates agency, making the wise decision to use and share her new property in service of fun and companionship. The lively tale is, aptly, colorfully illustrated, with an endearing all-animal cast.

A charming story about friendship, sharing, and helpfulness.