The diminutive star of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse returns for an well-deserved encore in this fetching story about a wedding, a flower girl, and a very happy day.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-When her teacher, Mr. Slinger, announces that he is going to marry Ms. Shotwell, the school nurse, the indomitable Lilly takes her role as flower girl at their wedding for granted. Of course, he hasn't asked her-yet-but the young mouse commences practicing her very slow walk, eyebrows raised, hands in front grasping her imaginary bouquet. Her parents give her reasons why her plan might go awry. "Do you understand-?" they ask. "I understand that I'm going to be a flower girl," she responds. At school, she writes Mr. Slinger a note, declaring herself "The World's Best and Most Famous Flower Girl." He finally persuades her to be an assistant to his niece, and Lilly rises to the rescue in a surprise twist that satisfies everybody. Henkes's familiar watercolor cartoons elaborate on the witty text. The desperate looks on Lilly's parents' and Mr. Slinger's faces are priceless. Full-page vignettes depict the little protagonist proudly practicing her flower-girl walk, which is eventually taken up by all the wedding guests at the reception. Adults will especially enjoy the shopping scene in which the sales lady pronounces Lilly "adorable" and her Granny silently quips, "in small doses." But big doses of this feisty rodent will suit her many fans just fine.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Lilly, Henkes's peerless princess of mouse perfection, is absolutely certain that she is a shoo-in for the role of flower girl when her beloved teacher Mr. Slinger announces his impending nuptials. Lilly throws herself into preparations with her typical enthusiasm. When she discovers that she will not be the star flower girl, but only an apprentice to Mr. Slinger's niece, Ginger, she valiantly struggles to adjust to her new role. However, when Ginger is frozen by stage fright, Lilly naturally saves the day with elan that surpasses the most seasoned red-carpet celebrities. Henkes manages once again to present Lilly in all of her wonderful, flawed glory, and readers will continue to love her dearly for it. In between giggles, they'll get a Lilly lesson in handling disappointments with aplomb. As always, Henkes's illustrations perfectly capture every delightful nuance of Lilly's persona whether she's practicing aisle-walking "in something more appropriate" or announcing her intentions to the universe. With Lilly, it's always a big day. (Picture book. 4-8)
From the Publisher
Lilly is one of the great female characters in literature—like Anna Karenina with whiskers or Scarlett O’Hara with paws.” — USA Today
“Caldecott Award winner Kevin Henkes once again demonstrates perfect pitch for the emotional lives of the very young. Lilly, of course, understands the true truth: the flower girl is more important than the bride.” — Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Caldecott Award winner Kevin Henkes once again demonstrates perfect pitch for the emotional lives of the very young. Lilly, of course, understands the true truth: the flower girl is more important than the bride.
USA Today
Lilly is one of the great female characters in literature—like Anna Karenina with whiskers or Scarlett O’Hara with paws.
Chicago Tribune
Caldecott Award winner Kevin Henkes once again demonstrates perfect pitch for the emotional lives of the very young. Lilly, of course, understands the true truth: the flower girl is more important than the bride.
USA Today
Lilly is one of the great female characters in literature—like Anna Karenina with whiskers or Scarlett O’Hara with paws.
DEC 07/JAN 08 - AudioFile
Everyone’s favorite teacher, Mr. Slinger, is about to be married. Mr. Slinger has plans for the big day; student Lilly (who is a mouse) has plans, too. The funny thing is that the plans don’t match! During the next few days, Lilly uses every classroom resource to hint to Mr. Slinger that she would be a spectacular flower girl. Laura Hamilton captures the warmth, humor, and compassion that Henkes infuses into his “mouse” books. She is light and breezy when Lilly’s mood is glorious and pouty when Lilly feels that nothing is right. Hamilton’s deliberate pacing allows listeners to appreciate the story’s events and engaging illustrations. Background music adds to the recording. A.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
