Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

This joyful, exuberant book by an American author/illustrator has particular appeal. There is an immediate intimacy in the way that Lilly talks to us, through pictures and captions, whilst the narrative continues, knowing she has our full attention. Lilly LOVES school. She loves the pointy pencils, the way her shiny red boots go clickety click on the floor. But most of all, Lilly loves her teacher, Mr Slinger, a love which is almost tangible in the illustrations. Mr Slinger is 'bright as a button', in his artistic shirts, with a different coloured tie for each day of the week. The characters' emotions are particularly well shown in the lively illustrations. Patience is called for in the plot, but this is nigh impossible for a small rodent in love with her teacher! The resolution of this somewhat cautionary tale is witty and wonderful.