The Black Crayon

The Black Crayon is a colorful, vibrant, and captivating story of a box of colorful crayons, with one black crayon who struggles to be accepted. If not for the love of a little girl name Laila, this black crayon begins to see his inner beauty. This book not only teaches self-awareness, but also teaches cultural awareness to young children.


Andrew Vassall is an elementary school teacher in the Cheltenham School District, located in Montgomery County, in Pennsylvania. His post-graduate education includes a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Eastern University in Saint Davids, PA. A master's degree in Reading and Literacy from Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Reading and Literacy. He spent twelve years teaching in the Philadelphia School District, where he developed a passion for writing. Andrew Vassall is grateful for the stories shared by his elementary school students throughout the years. The imaginations and creativity of their stories have become a valued source of inspiration. Andrew Vassall currently resides in East Windsor, New Jersey with his wife and children. 


Keywords: Character Development, Characterization, Empathy, Creativity, Interaction, Literary Culture, Meaning, Originality, Symbolism, Theme