Yal-Day-New Purim Party and Parade: The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRoflf

Happy Purim!

At today's Purim Party and Parade, the teaching staff of Yal-Day-New dressed up as different colored crayons!

During Circle Time, Preschool teacher Ms. Marceline read "The Crayon Box That Talked," By Shane DeRolf.

Once upon a time, Shane DeRolf wrote a poem... It was a deceptively simple poem; a charming little piece that celebrates the creation of harmony through diversity.

In fact, the folks at the Ad Council heard it, and liked it so much that they made it the theme for their 1997 National Anti-Discrimination Campaign for Children.

And so the poem goes:

"While walking in a toy store, the day before today...
I overheard a crayon box with many things to say.

'I don't like Red!' said Yellow. And Green said, 'Nor do I.'
And no one here like Orange, But no one knows just why.

'We are a box of crayons that doesn't get along,' said Blue to all the others. 'Something here is wrong.'

Well I bought that box of crayons and took it home with me.
And laid out all the crayons so the crayons so the crayons could all see —

They watched me as I colored—with Red and Blue and Green
And Black and White and Orange, and every color in between.

They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shining bright—on White clouds drifting by.

Colors changing as they touched, becoming something new.
They watched me as I colored, they watched 'til I was through.

And when I'd finally finished, I began to walk away.
And as I did the crayon box had something more to say...

'I do like Red!' said Yellow. And Green said, 'So do I!
And Blue, you were terrific so high up in the sky!'

'We are a box of crayons, each one of us unique...
But when we get together, the picture is complete!'"

Ms. Marceline explained to the Preschoolers that just like the box of crayons, when we all work together - in the classroom or at home - the results are much more interesting and colorful!

The teaching staff at Yal-Day-New dressed up as different colored crayons to model just how the box of crayons worked together...