From the Publisher
Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can't wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly's fury leads to revenge and then to remorse and she sets out to make amends.
Ann Pleshette Murphy
Mr. Henkes manages to convey the depth of Lilly's emotions in illustrations that are pure delight. -- New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Lilly the mouse idolizes her teacher Mr. Slinger, but when she comes to school flaunting three jingly quarters, movie-star glasses and a purple plastic purse "that played a jaunty tune when it was opened," she interrupts Mr. Slinger's lessons on "Types of Cheese" and words that rhyme with "mice." After one too many disruptions, he confiscates the purse until the day's end. Lilly, humiliated, takes revenge by slipping a mean drawing into Mr. Slinger's book bagonly to open her purse and find a conciliatory note from her hero. Caldecott honoree Henkes (Owen) understands Lilly's enthusiasm for her prize possessions, but astutely shows that Lilly goes too far when she acts up in class ("She's in trouble," whispers a classmate in a voice-bubble aside). The perfectionistic watercolor-and-ink illustrations, in vignettes and panels, are as sharp as the narration. Henkes communicates Lilly's emotions through her eyes, so that when she goes from "sad" to "furious," her eyebrows shift from U-shaped dips to hard slants; he also enlivens his scenes with tiny details, like Mr. Slinger's copy of Stuart Little. The author/artist offers useful, timeless advice for apologizing to a friend and resolving a conflict. A sympathetic and wise treatment. Ages 4-up. (Aug.)
Children's Literature
Lilly, heroine of two other Henkes picture books, returns for a staring role in the story of a small girl who adores everything about school, especially her playful teacher, Mr. Slinger. One day, when Mr. Slinger, imposes a limit on Lilly's exuberance, her feelings change completely. Lilly's angry reactions are real and so is her teacher's kind resolution. Once again, Henkes hits the emotions of early education on the mark, and helps children think about their relationships with important adults in their lives.
Children's Literature
Lilly loves everything about school and her teacher, Mr. Slinger. One day Lilly brings her new purple plastic purse to school. She is so excited to show and tell everyone about it that she can't keep quiet. When Mr. Slinger takes the purse from her, Lilly is angry and resentful. During writing lab, Lilly draws an unflattering picture of Mr. Slinger and sneaks it into his book-bag. Mr. Slinger returns Lilly's purse to her at the end of the day. On the way home, Lilly discovers a treat and an encouraging note from Mr. Slinger. She is embarrassed and sorry for her actions. With her mother's understanding and encouragement, Lilly writes a story and draws a flattering picture of Mr. Slinger in hopes of his forgiveness. The ending is joyful and restores Lilly's positive feelings for school life.
Children's Literature
Lilly loves school until her favorite teacher takes away her purple plastic purse. That purse and her glittery sunglasses make her feel like a star, and she lets everyone know it. The charm of this story is in the jaunty artwork and the believability of Lilly mouse as 'every child' who wants to be liked but can be such a "know-it-all" that she makes herself thoroughly disliked. With her purse confiscated, she draws a nasty picture of mean Mr. Slinger, who, at the end of the day, puts a note in her purse that says, "Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better." How embarrassed she feels. It's time for an apology and Lilly does it with style. What a role model is Mr. Slinger!
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2Lilly loves everything about schooleven the squeaky chalk and the cafeteria food. But most of all, she loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger, who is a sharp dresser and greets his students with an uncharacteristic "Howdy." The little mouse will do anything for himuntil he refuses to allow her to interrupt lessons to show the class her new movie-star sunglasses, three shiny quarters, and purple plastic purse. Seething with anger, she writes a mean story about him and places it in his book bag at the end of the day. But when she looks in her purse, she discovers that he has written her a kind note and even left her a bag of treats. Filled with remorse, Lilly sets out to make amends. Rich vocabulary and just the right amount of repetition fuse perfectly with the watercolor and black-pen illustrations. With a few deft strokes, Henkes changes Lilly's facial expressions and body language to reveal a full range of emotions. When she realizes how unfair she has been, Lilly shrinks smaller and smaller. When all ends well, she leaps for joy in her familiar red boots right out of the picture's frame. Clever dialogue and other funny details will keep readers looking and laughing. As the cover and end papers attest, Lilly emerges once again a star.Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-Kevin Henkes' characters always delight students and teachers with their real-life personalities, foibles, and situations. The stories are funny and sweet, and readers can recognize their own experiences in the characters. In Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Greenwillow, 1996) Lilly, who loves school and her teacher, has gone shopping with her Grandmother. Lilly comes home with a new purse and she can't wait to show it off to her classmates. Mr. Slinger reminds Lilly to wait until sharing time, but Lilly's enthusiasm gets the best of her and the teacher must take the purse away from her. Heartbroken, Lilly retaliates by drawing a mean picture of her teacher and slipping it into his school bag. When Mr. Slinger returns the purse to Lilly at the end of the day along with a kind note and treats, Lilly feels remorse, runs home, and confesses all to her family. She gives herself a time-out and then draws a new, more complimentary picture of Mr. Slinger. Lilly apologizes profusely, her teacher accepts, and during sharing time the purse is presented to the class. This audio version features excellent narration, mouse-like voices, and delightful sound effects mirroring the illustrations. Listeners must have the book available while listening to the tape because the illustrations are wonderful and reflect all the emotion that Lilly feels throughout the story. For schools that use audio books, this is a must purchase along with all of Kevin Henkes' other terrific tales.-Jane Enfield, Howe Community School, Minneapolis, MN Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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