Henkes, K. (1996). Lilly's purple plastic purse. New York: Greenwillow Books. 

Kevin Henkes did a wonderful job as the author and illustrator of this children's picture book. His beautiful watercolor paints and black pen created full color art to complement each page of this book. The book does not contain any full page or double spread illustrations. Instead, Kenkes uses smaller illustrations to portray Lilly and her classmates. Many times, Henkes uses an interesting composition of several small illustrations on the page to show the progression of time. 

Lilly is the protagonist in the story. The author does a good job of fully describing Lilly's traits, good and bad. For example, we are told that lilly loves pointy pencils, squeaky chalk, how her boots click and clack, her own desk, fish sticks, and her teacher. We are told how she spends her time at home, and all of the things she wants to be when she grows up. We also learn that she can be a little impatient at times, which is one of her flaws, and the conflict in this story. 

The conflict is person-against-self. Lilly is SO excited to show the class her new quarters, purse, and sunglasses. However, when her favorite teacher does not give her time to share, she grows impatient and ends up making a big mistake and doing something she regrets. 

This is a story about patience as well as forgiveness and I think it is an excellent choice to teach children some character. 

 A twitter tweet by Lilly might be the following:

"I love love love LOVE my teacher-can't wait to be one when I grow up #imsorrymrslinger"

BIG QUESTION:

Describe a time when it was really hard for you to be patient. How did you react? How could you have acted differently?

Have you ever done something mean to someone and then later wished you hadn't? Describe it. What could you have done instead? How did you fix it?

-Haley