In this joyous and inventive rereading of the beloved childrenâs book Harold and the Purple Crayon, the author of How We Change (And Ten Reasons Why We Donât) celebrates our inherent âsacred originalityâ and establishes a new framework for self-reliance.
In 1955, Crockett Johnson introduced one of the worldâs most beloved and enduring young adventurers, Harold and his purple crayon. Today, we need Harold and his penchant for creative solutions more than ever. In Purple Crayons, Ross Ellenhorn looks to Johnsonâs classic for insights and answers that can help us understand our current condition and point the way towards solutions for healing. Purple Crayons tells a story about America then and now, about living oneâs life as art; about the powers that block us from doing so, about the pull and perils of conformity; about serious play and too much seriousness, about what it means to feel alive inside and what deadens our existence. Itâs also about 1955 in America, all that lay before andâprescientlyâall that lay ahead, as each of us struggles to draw meaningful and resilient existences on the blank pagesâthe future yet unlivedâof our lives.
This delightful, provocative adventure is a gift of kindness and love that encourages us and gives us hope. As he traces Haroldâs journey, Ellenhorn offers insights into our âsacred originalityââthe idea that each of our unique inner lives are worth nurturing and protecting, and the perseverance, courage, connection, and community necessary to sustain them. Engaging, thoughtful, wiseâPurple Crayons transcends the current divides separating us, reminding us that our fulfillment rests on tapping into what is original about ourselves, finding ways to express our originality, and understanding that doing so is rooted in who we are as Americans.