Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

by Kevin Henkes 

The importance of patience is a difficult concept to teach to most children, and so often to adults as well! But this beloved book by author and illustrator Kevin Henkes beautifully illustrates the virtues of the concept as well as the happiness in forgiveness.

Through the excitement of becoming the proud new owner of movie-star sunglasses, a purple plastic purse that plays a jaunty tune, and shiny quarters, plus the overwhelming need to share these new items with her classmates, enthusiastic Lily learns that difficult lesson of patience. 

What makes this book so relatable for children is the imperfection of Lily. She is as enthusiastic in her love of everything, school, chalk, the sound of her boots, her teacher... as she is in her impulsive angry behavior (which I'm sure many young readers can relate to!) As in any good story, she also shows even more remorse and learns another valuable lesson on forgiveness. Never preachy and always fun this is a fun read for both children and adults.

 

In this Issue

• Transform an ordinary brown paper grocery bag into a Paper Bag Cape just like our heroine wears on the cover.
• Make the most tasty snacks, something crunchy and cheesy: Cheesy Snack Crackers!

 

Paper Bag Cape

Every young reader as fabulous as Lilly (and which ones aren't?) needs a flowing cape, useful in completing every outfit and enhancing every playtime. Since these capes are so easy, they might need one in every color and pattern imaginable! 

Movie star sunglasses, red cowboy boots, and a purple plastic purse with shiny quarters not required for play. But they can only add to the fun!

 

Paper Bag Cape

Supplies

• 1 large brown paper grocery bag
• marker
• scissors
• hole punch
• ribbon 
• Decorating Supplies: crayons, markers, paint, etc. 

1. Open the bag up and, with the marker, draw a line down the crease on one short side. Continue the line across the bottom of the bag and up the crease in the other short side. 
2. Cut all along the line, so you will have two halves of the bag. You will only need 1 half for a cape.This step would make wonderful scissor skills practice for young readers. 
3. Draw a curved line on the bottom of the bag, and cut out.
4. There are two folds in the bottom of the bag. Gently unfold them and flatten the crease.
5. On each unfolded tab, punch a hole. String a length of ribbon through each hole and tie a knot to secure. You can also use some clear tape to reinforce the hole.
6. Decorate!   

 

Cheesy Snack Crackers

These cheese whole wheat snack crackers are yummy enough to keep all the mice in Mr. Slinger's class and your own young reader happy and munching away. We made them star shaped, of course, to celebrate our fabulous Lilly, but they work great in any shape you choose. 

Don't be fooled by their rather bland color: these pack a incredibly cheesy taste. If you use an orange colored cheddar the crackers will have a more familiar goldfish or Cheese-It color. 

 

Cheesy Snack Crackers

 

Cheesy Snack Crackers

Ingredients

• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (as always, we used white whole wheat)
• 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Fit a food processor with the shredding blade. Shred the cheese, then place in a bowl.
2. Place oats in the food processor fitted with the chopping blade, and process until ground into a fine "oat flour".
3. Add remaining ingredients, including cheese, to the oats in the food processor. Process until all ingredients are well combined about 2 minutes. The dough should form a ball when pressed together.   If the dough seems very soft, place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. 
4. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick on a well floured surface. Using a small cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, or glass, cut out crackers and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. 
   
6. Bake for 15 minutes, until just turning golden brown.

Related Post: The Very Busy Spider's Spider Crackers with Sweet Potato Hummus. 

 

More from Off the Shelf

Related Book: Olivia shares Lilly's penchant for the dramatic and fabulous!

More Kevin Henkes: Kitten's First Full Moon, My Garden

More School: The Art Lesson

More Mice: Mouse Paint