Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse - Book Review

An amusing little human-like mouse named Lilly learns about conflict and listening to her teacher.

Age group is 7 to 10

32 page Picture book.

Published by: Greenwillow Books - from Harper Collins

Author and Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Lilly loves life and her teacher Mr. Slinger. He wears cool shirts with crazy ties. He also provides yummy snacks for all his students and Lilly wants to be a teacher just like him. One day Lilly brings her new purple plastic purse that plays music to school. She irritates everyone and noisily displays it inappropriately. Mr. Slinger takes the purple purse away from Lilly until the end of the day and Lilly draws a mean portrait of her teacher.

At the end of the school day when Lilly gets outside and opens her purse she discovers a nice note from Mr. Slinger “…Today was difficult. Tomorrow will be a better day” and some tasty snacks. Lilly is overcome with guilt and decides to make up with her teacher the next day.

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse teaches a lesson about discipline and anger management. The book demonstrates that discipline is not punishment when Mr. Slinger shows understanding and compassion to Lilly. Learning to question and respect authority is a very delicate balance and an important lesson for children to learn. This is reinforced in Lilly’s home by her loving parents. Unfortunately, many children grow up thinking discipline is all about punishment when in fact it is teaching character.

Write it down,

Carma