Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Lilly's world is turned upside down when her teacher confiscates her favorite purse, leading her to draw a very unkind picture of him. It is a realistic look at the messy emotions of remorse and the process of making things right.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes is estimated to take about 12 minutes to read aloud (1,148 words, about 4 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 12 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 1,148Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 4Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-8Our editorial fit
Our review
The story doesn't rush to a tidy resolution, which makes the feelings of guilt feel much more authentic to a child. It captures that heavy, lingering sensation of knowing you've done something wrong.
It is a great fit for school-aged children who are beginning to navigate complex social rules and the consequences of their actions. The length allows the emotional weight to land properly.
Before you buy it
At 1,148 words, this is the longest book in this collection. It is genuinely a five-plus book despite the picture-book shape.
Themes
- school
- teachers
- remorse
- apology
- mice
Books like Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Chrysanthemumabout 12 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Julius, the Baby of the Worldabout 11.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Wemberly Worriedabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...about 3.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Bad Seedabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse aloud?
About 12 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 1,148. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse actually for?
Ages 4-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 4 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 4 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse cover?
We tag it with school, teachers, remorse, apology and mice. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
