Books

[New York]: Harper & Brothers, 1955. First printing. Very good plus in very good jacket.. First edition of the beautiful meta-picture book on the power of the creative imagination, rarely seen with the original dust jacket so intact. Legendary children's book editor Ursula Nordstrom nearly turned down this book, which she later viewed as an instructive error in judgment. Besides becoming immediate bestsellers, the minimalist Harold books – simultaneously simple and profound – have become an influential favorite of many other artists and authors: in his 1982 acceptance speech for the Caldecott Award for JUMANJI, Chris Van Allsburg explicitly thanks "Harold, for his purple crayon"; Maurice Sendak praised the "supreme inventiveness" of Harold; Rita Dove recalled the book as her earliest favorite, and names Harold in her poem "Maple Valley Branch Library, 1967." A terrific copy of perhaps the perfect children's book. 5.75'' x 4.5''. Original quarter black cloth, color…

Harold and the Purple Crayon, written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson, was first published in 1955. The story is about a boy named Harold who, armed with his purple crayon, goes on a magical adventure by drawing his own world. This book is renowned for its simplicity and creativity, deeply engaging young readers' imaginations.

First editions are identified by the 'Harper & Brothers' credit on the title page and the lack of later printing indications.