The Purple Coat

by Amy Hest

Book Overview

Every year, in the fall, Gabrielle gets a new coat. And every year her coat looks the same -- navy blue with two rows of buttons and a half belt in the back. But this year Gabrielle wants something different -- a purple coat.
"Purple?" Mama laughs. But Gabrielle is quite serious.
Alone with Grampa in his cozy tailor shop, Gabrielle does some fast talking. Still, even Grampa is dubious. His solution makes The Purple Coat a very special...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689716346
• ISBN13: 9780689716348
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Book about trying new things (even when others disagree)

Gabi always gets a navy blue coat for winter, and her grandfather makes it. But this year she wants a purple coat, and her mother is shocked - it's so different from what she usually gets! With the Power of Childhood Stories (somebody once wanted a tangerine dress...) her mother is convinced, and Gabi gets her coat. It's a good story, well-written and well-illustrated. A little long for the subject, but it works. I'm just not overly drawn to it.

A lesson about trying something NEW

I first saw this story read on Reading Rainbow when I was a child, and was so intrigued (as much as a child can be intrigued) by it that I had to go to my local library right away to check it out! Even years later, I appreciate the lessons that this book has to offer ... teaching children and their parents that trying something NEW can be rewarding. Going against tradition and discovering new things is an adventure for Gabrielle in this beautifully illustrated tale.I wouldn't recommend it for children younger than 6 years of age, because of its wordiness. But a young reader with a love for books would eat this right up!

For the child in all of us who wants to be different

Gabrielle wants a purple coat this year, although she always gets a blue one. Gabrielle's mom takes her to see her Grampa in the city who is a tailor and who also makes Gabrielle's winter coat every year. While Mom goes shopping, Gabrielle tries to convince her Grampa to make her a purple coat instead. Good illustration and a fun story.