Harold and the Purple Crayon

The perfect gift for all the kids in your life - of any age.

This is the very special book that helped to inspire Purple Lizard Maps.

One evening Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement.

Harold and his trusty crayon travel through woods and across seas and past dragons before returning to bed, safe and sound. Full of funny twists and surprises, this charming story shows just how far your imagination can take you.

Harold and the Purple Crayon was first published in 1955. Purple Lizard's founder, Michael Hermann, was born 9 years later and at some point this book entered his life and quite possibly was instrumental in guiding him to create Purple Lizard Maps 42 years later.  When asked about the origin of the name Purple Lizard Michael often recalls the influence this book - especially the part where Harold wants to walk in the forest, so he takes his purple crayon and draws a forest. Michael wonders if his early love of drawing, being outside, the color purple, and his eventual career in mapmaking all root back to this beautiful story. 

The well loved and dog-eared copy of Harold and Purple Crayon has stayed with Michael all these years and it is displayed on a shelf in the Purple Lizard offices today.

We wanted to share this special book with the Lizard Maps community. We offer the modern hardcover Library Edition. This printing is 8 x 6.5 inches with a sturdy hardcover binding and separate book cover. This is the highest quality version HarperCollins publishes.  We just adore it and think you will too.

We hope this book inspires you as much as it does us. The perfect gift for future generations of artists, dreamers, and maybe a few mapmakers. 

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