Review - Grandma's Purse

Grandma's Purse
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Date: 2018
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Spend the day with Mimi and her granddaughter in this charming picture book about the magic found in Mimi's favorite accessory, perfect for readers who love How to Babysit a Grandma!

When Grandma Mimi comes to visit, she always brings warm hugs, sweet treats...and her purse. You never know what she'll have in there--fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for her granddaughter. It might look like a normal bag from the outside, but Mimi and her granddaughter know that it's pure magic!

In this adorable, energetic ode to visits from grandma, beloved picture book creator Vanessa Brantley Newton shows how an ordinary day can become extraordinary.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

There's something almost universal about grandmas and their purses. Even though it's been a while since I was young enough to be fascinated by what could be in my grandmothers' purses, this book brought back memories (especially of things like fuzz-covered mints and gum; they're like a requirement or something).

The illustrations in this book are simply adorable. And I loved seeing what was in Grandma's purse. Her flip-phone was especially funny:

"Your phone looks like a toy."

"It has my friends' phone numbers on it--
what else would I need it for?!"

This is the second book I've read that was illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (the other one being One Love). The style is different, but overall I liked this book much better. It's a cute slice-of-life story about a relatable topic.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5