Grandma's Purse

A little African American girl eagerly awaits her grandma Mimi's arrival, because when Grandma comes, there is always a treasure in her purse! This visit is no different. With each item she removes from the purse comes an explanation from Grandma about how that item will come in handy ("You never know what you'll want to have with you!") or a bit about its sentimental value ("This coin purse holds my coins, of course, but it also holds memories"). Brantley-Newton's vividly colorful images paint the happiness the little girl feels in her grandmother's presence. By story's end, the child has taken everything out of grandma's purse and either tried it on or played with it, except for that very last thing in the bottom of the purse that has the girl's name on it! That special gift could lead to another book about this delightful family, or at least, we can hope so. This grandmother confidently seems to impart self-confidence and style to her granddaughter. VERDICT A strong intergenerational choice for any picture book collection.—Jennifer Steib Simmons, Anderson County Library, SC