How many times have you used crayons in your life? The answer is probably a lot, but did you know that before there were crayons, the only way to color was to use special artist type crayons that were expensive, broke easily, and some were even toxic? This is what Edwin Binney, an inventor, learned when his wife asked him to try and create a new type of crayon. Soon, he got to work. There were many writing tools at the time including a gray slate pencil, white chalk, and a black crayon, but how to make crayons with other colors. It was a lot of different experiments, mixing of materials, and using different pigments or colors, but soon he created what we know as Crayola Crayons. This true story is filled with amazing colorful illustrations and some unique facts.  

Book reviewed by Laura B., Youth Technology Librarian