C. Cordero's Book Selection

I chose the book “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes. Henkes is one of my favorite authors because many of our young students can relate to the problems and feelings his characters overcome in every story. This book is ideal for K-2, but could be used in any grade. Lilly loves school and everything about it, but she especially loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger. That is until the day that she gets in trouble for not following directions. Liliy takes out her anger by writing an ugly note about him and leaving it in his book bag. She feels very guilty about it and tries to figure out the best way to apologize and make it up to him. She ends up writing him a story, drawing him a picture, writing him a note, giving him snacks, and ultimately deciding she wants to be a teacher when she grows up…along with a few other things.

Like most of Henkes’ books, “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” is filled with various opportunities to teach many different themes and activities. For example, children could be taught coin recognition, coin counting, why schools have rules, how to apologize and make amends when they do something wrong, how to write a story and/or a friendly letter, make their own purple plastic purses and discuss what goes in a purse, or turn the book into a play to perform in class. It’s also great for teaching predictions, sequence, main idea and details, and summarization.
-C. Cordero