A Broken Crayon: How to Use This Book in Schools and Churches

One of the things I’m most excited about with A Broken Crayon is how versatile it is. Yes, it’s a beautifully illustrated children’s book—but it’s also a resource. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, pastor, or counselor, this book is designed to spark real conversations about identity, resilience, and the redeeming power of God’s grace.

We intentionally included discussion questions at the end of the book to help adults guide kids through the story in a meaningful way. The questions are open-ended and age-appropriate, perfect for sparking reflection and dialogue in a classroom, Sunday school, or even one-on-one with a child who might be struggling.

Lessons for Everyone

This book has already been embraced in both public and private school settings because it deals with universal themes like self-worth, courage, and creativity. And for those in Christian education or ministry contexts, the gospel-centered message is front and center—showing that brokenness isn’t the end of the story, it’s the starting point for redemption.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

—Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Here are a few practical ways you can use A Broken Crayon:

• Public school classrooms – Use it during social-emotional learning time or for art-integrated reading lessons. (Kids love finding “Grace” on each page!)
• Sunday school or midweek programs – Pair the book with a lesson on God’s grace, identity in Christ, or what it means to be used by God.
• Family devotions – Read it aloud at bedtime and use the discussion questions to open up conversations that matter.
• Counseling or therapy sessions – Use the story to help kids express their own “crayon” feelings—especially tired, scared, or pretending.
• Christian school chapels or classroom devotions – Show the music video, sing the song, and read the story for a powerful all-in-one message.

This is more than a story—it’s a tool for connection. My hope is that teachers, pastors, and mental health professionals will use it to create safe spaces where kids can be honest about what they’re feeling and discover the hope that only God can offer.

Buy the Book

You can order your copy of A Broken Crayon today at GoFishResources.com; and don’t forget to check out the new music video. Or, if you want to bring me to your school, church, or conference to tell the story in person, head to GoFishResources.com/jamie.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

—Matthew 19:14 (ESV)