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Who in our generation didn’t love imagining with Harold and The Purple Crayon? Contributing writer Safire has been reliving the childhood magic this week with her 3 kids.
Relive the magic of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Harold and the Purple Crayon was the reason why I never had any purple crayons left in my crayon box as a kid. I always used them first, hoping and inventing just like Harold did in the classic children’s tale by Crocket Johnson.
Now our kids and enjoy Harold and the Purple Crayon even more than we did as kids! Trilogy Studios has taken this classic storybook and turned it into the first of their Touch series of digital books.
Designed for children two to six- years-old and up, young readers interact with the book by using the touch pad to help tell the story. My kids enjoyed discovering magical elements on every page. Trilogy Studios wants each child to have an engaging, “lean forward” experience that puts a smile on their faces.
What we loved about the Harold and the Purple Crayon App:
Pros: My mom and I played with this story and oohed and aahed over the hidden magical elements. Each new discovery delighted us, and only enhanced the book more. Our delighted squeaks and giggles brought my boys from across the room to see what the fuss was all about. The four of us spent a fun afternoon with our heads pressed together, swiping on each new page to see what hidden delights we could make happen.
I loved that my 3 year old twins could easily navigate the opening menu, and could enjoy the story read to them. (The narrator’s voice was not annoying either, so I didn’t mind hearing the book several times in a row.)
I loved that they could push the hidden elements over and over and choose when they were ready to move on, and not before. The dragon was a huge hit.
I also enjoyed that my 6 year old was even engaged. She could choose to have the story read to her or to read it herself. She also loved that she got to color in parts of the book herself. And for a 6 year old who loves to draw, that was big.
The menu included a tutorial. I did it with my 6 year old, and she asked why it was in there. “It’s easy,” she said about knowing what to do in the book. I found the tutorial helpful so I knew exactly what was going on in the story and could answer any questions my kids could have. They didn’t have any, it’s very intuitive.
There wasn’t much we didn’t love about this App:
Cons: My 6 year old complained that it finished coloring in the bigger pictures for her. I liked that feature for my 3 year olds, but I could see how that would frustrate the more engaged color-er. I told her to go whittle down her own purple crayons on paper like Harold did, and she tried to copy each page from the iPad.
The Harold and the Purple Crayon iPad App is available for $6.99 from the App Store. It will soon be available on the iPhone and Android platforms.
Enter to WIN Harold and the Purple Crayon app
To enter to win a free Harold and the Purple Crayon app, leave us a comment on this post. Do you have any fun memories of Harold from your childhood?
This giveaway will end on October 31, 2011 at midnight ET and a winner will be chosen at random and announced shortly after. Please see our site’s terms and conditions for more information.
Written by contributing writer, Safire, mom of 3 year old twin boys and a 6 year old girl, and author of the blog Water Falling Up. Safire received an app to try out but all thoughts and experiences are her own.
Nicole Larsen says
I never even heard of Harold and the Purple Crayon until my daughter was about 18 mos old and I saw the HBO show, so I dont have childhood memories of it. My daughter loves it and she’s now almost 4!
Heather Mcdonald says
My mom would read Harold and the Purple crayon to us. Now I love to share it with my girls too. I’m sure they would love the app.
Suzie G. says
I had this book as a child and really enjoyed Harold’s adventure with his crayon.
Renee B. says
My daughter would love this. she really enjoys children’s apps on the iPad
Goose says
This is just what I need for my daughter. She does acting and sometimes we have to wait for hours and this would help her not get so bored.
Nicole says
I would love to give this to my son. He would be so happy!!
Stace says
My son loves to color, and this would be even better for him.
Ann says
This is awesome. What a great product. My girls would love to have this one.
kathy pease says
i do not remember harold maybe im too old 🙁
Alison says
My grils, ages 4 and 5 love Harold.
Debra says
Purple is my favorite color, and Harold is my favorite character!!
Heather C says
I am not sure why, but my Mom never read this to me as a child and I never seemed to check it out from the library either, but my son loves this book and he loves playing with the Ipad! We are always on the lookout for great new applications/books that he would like and this one looks great! Thanks for hosting the awesome giveaway!
Jenn says
My little ones are always asking to do things on my iPad – this would be perfect!
Christine Jensen says
Oh, I LOVED Harold when I was younger, and the video or filmstrip of the books 🙂
Jill M says
I wasn’t introduced to Harold until I received a couple books at my son’s book shower. Now that he is 4, he asks all kinds of questions about Harold’s adventures. He would love this app.
Jill L says
I don’t remember Harold from my childhood. I do remember reading with my teenager and I would enjoy this with my 5 year old.
Christina G. says
I loved to read Harold and the Purple Crayon when I was young. Thanks for the giveaway!
Mona says
As a Mother my kids loved this book and as an Art Teacher ( 1st thru 12th grade) my students loved and learned from it … I would love to have this app for My Grand Children. Thanks for the Giveaway!
Katharine D says
I loved those books as a child and indeed got in trouble for drawing on the wall with a purple crayon. My boys love the books and the show, I didn’t know about the app but I have an iPad so I will have to get it
amanda wynant says
what a fantastic app.
i didn’t hear about this book until i was an adult.
however – i loved sharing the book with my 3 year old.
she would dig this app.
Chuck Palmer says
I have never heard of Harold but my daughter would love to have this! She is always coloring a project on the iPad. Nice article btw….
CaroleM says
I admit I’ve never heard of Harold 🙁 But this app sounds wonderful for both of my children!
Toys for 3 year olds says
Ya, I do agree with you and i think its really very helpful for kids.
They will learn new and exciting things from this toy.
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
I loved Harold!
vmkids3 at msn dot com
renee walters says
I would love to win this! This was my favorite book as a child! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
Renee Walters
[email protected]
Shari says
I’m not sure I’ve ever read Harold! But I would love to share him with my two little ones. 🙂
Jackie says
Honestly, I never experienced Harold until my first children’s lit class in college. I must have be deprived! My son loves the book, though. There is also a show on HBO Family (I think) about Harold and he watches that sometimes. I bet he’d love the app!
Janelle says
This is one of my daughter’s favorite books. I’m sure it’s a lot of fun to play with the new interactive version!