Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse is a 1996 children's book written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, and published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.[1][2] It was listed as 11th overall in a list of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal and included in the literary reference book 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.[3][4] The book is about the titular character, an anthropomorphic mouse, attending school.
 Original cover art | |
| Author | Kevin Henkes |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Kevin Henkes |
| Cover artist | Kevin Henkes |
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, picture book |
| Publisher | Greenwillow Books |
Publication date | 1996 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 0688128971 |
| Preceded by | Good-bye, Curtis |
| Followed by | Sun & Spoon |
History edit
Lilly, the main character of the story, appeared in several of author Kevin Henkes's stories published before Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, including Chester's Way (1988) and Julius, the Baby of the World (1990).[5]
Plot edit
From NPR:
- ”Lilly loves everything, especially her purple plastic purse full of treasures. She even loves her teacher Mr. Slinger — but when the wondrous purse and its contents keep interrupting his lessons, he confiscates it, leading Lilly to attempt revenge. Luckily, her favorite teacher understands her emotions.”[6]
Reception edit
Reviews have called attention to Henkes’s illustrations, with one reviewer calling them, “skilled, playful and spirited.”[2]
The book received a positive review from the New York Times in which the review said, "every once in a while—and in children's books, it's only once in a very great while—there is a book so delightful, so exuberant, honest and evocative of the passionate life that children live as we look on, that one considers nailing a proclamation to the door of the local bookseller or wearing a copy around one's neck to advertise it. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse...is just such a book." and also remarked, "In all of children's literature there is [sic] just a handful of characters we think of as family—Madeline, Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte come to mind—and when this young generation is old enough to reflect on the ones it loved, Lilly will probably lead the pack."[5]
Adaptations edit
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse was adapted for the stage by playwright Kevin Kling and the play has subsequently been produced by numerous local theater companies, including:
- Hoboken, New Jersey, Monroe Center for the Arts, 2009[7]
- Columbus, Georgia, Springer Opera House, 2015[8]
- Green Bay, Wisconsin, Weidner Center for Performing Arts, 2016[9]
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Harwich Junior Theatre, 2022[10]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Doug Ward (15 October 2000). "Children's Books; A High-Anxiety Mouse". New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b Tess Tobin (18 October 2018). "Books That Built Us: 'Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse' by Kevin Henkes". Michigan Daily Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Eccleshare, Julia (2009). 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. London: Universe/Rizzoli International. ISBN 9781419700668.
- ^ Bird, Elizabeth (July 6, 2012). "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results". School Library Journal "A Fuse #8 Production" blog. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ a b M. P. Dunleavey (10 November 1996). "The Mouse that Boogied". New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Petra Mayer (31 August 2020). "Welcome To Story Hour: 100 Favorite Books For Young Readers". NPR. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ Jonathan Mandell (26 October 2009). ""Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" playing in Hoboken through Nov. 8". NJ.com. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "'Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse' is full of lessons for children". Ledger-Enquirer. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Sue Bodilly (18 April 2016). "UW-Green Bay presents Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse". University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll (7 July 2022). "Bob Marley musical launches new era at Harwich theater + 13 more shows on Cape Cod stages". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
External links edit
- Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (registration required) (via the Internet Archive)
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