No, it's not. Pastel chalk or soft pastel is easier to blend and draw with because it is softer, hence the name, soft pastel. Soft pastels are made of ground pigments, gum tragacanth, and a filler....
They may contain some toxic pigments like chrome yellow but they should be labeled if they are or not....If it is not labeled I would not purchase it if you have dogs or cats or any kind of animal...
Pastels.
There is no way to tell people how to draw with pastels because every artist has different strategies. (there is no right or wrong answer.) You can, however, offer your strategies to help...
No they do not require the longest drying time. I know this because I am taking a art class and one of the test questions is this, and I said they did and I got the answer wrong! :P