Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Title: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Author and Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Genre: Modern Fantasy

Summary:
This book tells the story of a quirky little mouse named Lilly. Lilly loves to go to school and most of all she loves her hip teacher Mr. Slinger. Because of Mr. Slinger Lilly wants to grow up to be a teacher. One Monday Lilly comes back to school "especially happy." Over the weekend her Grammy had taken her shopping and given her a new pair of sunglasses, three shiny quarters, and a brand new purple purse that played music every time it was opened. In class Lilly is unable to concentrate on anything but her new things. Lilly refuses to pay attention to the lesson and continuously distracts her classmates by trying to show off her new possessions. Eventually Mr. Slinger asks Lilly to give him her sunglasses, quarters, and purse till the end of the day. This makes Lilly extremely mad and angry. She then decides to act out in a way that will hurt Mr. Slinger the way he hurt her. Read this book to find out how Lilly acts out and how it affects her relationship with her favorite teacher.

Making the Connection:
This book is a good way to talk to your students about handling their emotions. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse teaches children that it is important to think before you act and that your actions can have a negative affect on others. This book would also be an easy way to introduce a writing lesson. For example this book is all about Lilly's most prized possessions, so you could have your students write about their most prized possessions. This would also allow you to get to know your students a little better.