Description The first new installment in the 'Black Crayon' series in 5 years! Rescue the crayon friends taken by the monster! A delightful adventure story of Black Crayon setting off to find his missing friends Every morning, one by one, the crayon friends disappear, until only Blacky, the black crayon, is left all alone. "Maybe a monster snatched them away while we were sleeping!" Now alone, Blacky sets off to find his crayon friends, quietly following a set of suspicious footprints. Sliding down a ruler-slide from a high desk, he arrives at a dark hole where the footprints lead. Summoning his courage, he steps into the cave. Will he really find his crayon friends there? And is it really true that a monster took them away? This is the third story in the bestselling 'Black Crayon' series by beloved picture book author Miwa Nakaya, released after a five-year wait. In Black Crayon and the Monster Mystery, Blacky embarks on an adventure to find his crayon friends, who have been taken by a monster. Through this lively monster mystery, children will come to feel the true value of friends and family! The Adorable and Charming 'Black Crayon Series' That Steals Children's Hearts The 'Black Crayon Series' is a beloved picture book collection that uses the familiar subject of crayons to playfully express deep and meaningful themes. Since its release, it has enjoyed explosive popularity and remains a firm bestseller to this day. The first book, Black Crayon, tells the story of a black crayon who was once teased for being an "ugly color," but who wonderfully transforms a drawing ruined by his friends into something beautiful. This heartwarming tale reminds readers that everyone has their own precious value and unique abilities, earning it widespread popularity. The second book, Black Crayon and the Magic Train, follows Black Crayon as he builds a path for his vehicle friends who have nowhere to run, delivering a thrilling and exhilarating adventure story. After a long wait, the third book, Black Crayon and the Monster Mystery, has finally arrived. While retaining all the imagination and fun of the previous books, it introduces a new family of mice, bringing an even deeper emotional touch to the story. When the crayon friends begin disappearing one by one, Black Crayon believes a monster is responsible and sets out to find them. After a difficult search, he encounters an unexpected culprit. This heartfelt picture book is full of suspense and excitement, as Black Crayon helps a family of mice mistaken for monsters and learns the true value of family. Every character in author Miwa Nakaya's 'Black Crayon Series' is endearing and lovable. Though the simple lines and colors may appear flat, they are never plain or dull—rather, their clarity and warmth capture children's attention completely. Once children experience her picture books, they quickly become devoted fans. The stories she tells reflect the everyday challenges children face, but rather than approaching them in a heavy or serious way, she presents them cheerfully and playfully, right at children's eye level. Without preaching or lecturing, she seeks to understand children's feelings and work through problems together with them. That's why children easily relate to her stories as if they were their own, and find it easy to discover ways to resolve their own challenges. The Crayon Friends Have Disappeared! A Mystery That Builds Curiosity and Suspense Black Crayon and the Monster Mystery begins one day when the crayon friends start disappearing one by one. On the first day, Yellow goes missing. On the second day, Ochre and Brown can't be found either. The crayon friends and Black Crayon believe it must be the work of a monster, and decide to stay up all night to catch it. But sleepiness gets the better of them, and they doze off. The next morning, when Blacky wakes up, he finds himself all alone—all his friends are gone. Now alone, Blacky bravely sets off on a journey to find his friends, despite the danger. He discovers muddy footprints and, gathering his courage, follows them. The adventure grows more and more exciting as he slides down a ruler from a high desk and walks into a dark hole. Children reading this book will find themselves right alongside Blacky, hearts pounding, caught up in this thrilling monster mystery.