Totally Booked with Zibby Drew Daywalt, GOODNIGHT, CRAYONS
Jan 9, 2026
Drew Daywalt, a New York Times bestselling children's book author, shares his remarkable journey from Hollywood screenwriting to creating beloved picture books like Goodnight, Crayons. He reveals how his childhood crayon box inspired his characters and discusses the importance of giving voice to the voiceless. Drew emphasizes his mission to make kids laugh and foster empathy, while also promoting literacy. He reflects on the impact of his series across generations and teases exciting future releases in the Crayons franchise.
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From A Failed Film To A Box Of Crayons
- Drew Daywalt abandoned a stalled Hollywood directing career after a movie failure and wrote a children's book instead.
- He credits a childhood box of crayons on his desk for inspiring The Day the Crayons Quit and still keeps it as a talisman.
A Single School Visit Changed Everything
- Drew's first school visit transformed his career when a kindergartner kissed him and said, "I love you, Mr. Daywalt."
- That moment convinced him to commit to writing for children and doing school visits full-time.
Giving Voice To The Voiceless
- Drew believes his books succeed because they "give voice to the voiceless."
- He ties this to childhood experience as the youngest sibling who often felt silenced and overlooked.
