The Big Green Pocketbook [Paperback]

Candice F. Ransom (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- The nameless first-person narrator of this pleasant picture book is proud to carry a big green pocketbook just like her mother's blue one. As they set out for a trip to town, the little girl's purse is empty, but that is soon remedied. From the purple lollipop acquired at the bank, to the pocket calendar given at the dry cleaners and the new crayons from the drugstore, each stop means something new for the big green purse. All seems lost after the return trip, when the girl leaves her purse behind on the bus, but the friendly driver saves the day. This simple slice-of-life story is straightforward and convincingly told. The child's view is believably self-centered, yet her observations and activities will immediately spark recognition in readers. Bond's cheerful illustrations show a lively youngster exploring and enjoying the world around her. The pictures enhance the text by offering colorful glimpses of small-town life with a multicultural cast of characters. Those seeking an amusing everyday adventure will find it here. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Candice Ransom is the author of many books for young adults, and has had short stories published in numerous magazines, including Seventeen, Ebony Jr! and Highlights for Children. This is her first picturebook. She lives in Centerville, VA.

Felicia Bond is best known for her illustrations in the bestselling and beloved If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Moose a Muffin. She has also illustrated a number of other children's books, including The Right Number of Elephants by Jeff Sheppard, and a new edition of Margaret Wise Brown's Big Red Barn, a 1989 ABA Pick of the List. She lives in Austin, TX.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064433951
• ISBN-13: 978-0064433952
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Candice Ransom (1952-) is the author of more than 100 books for children, including Tractor Day (Walker), Pony Island (Walker), Finding Day's Bottom (Carolrhoda), Seeing Sky-Blue Pink (Carolrhoda), Secret in the Tower (Wizards of the Coast), and Hello, Virginia! (Sterling). Ransom's books are often set in her native state of Virginia, where her family has lived since 1711. Honors and awards include starred reviews, IRA Teacher's Choice, IRA Children's Choice, Pick of the List, New York Public Library Best 100 Books, and Smithsonian Notable Book. Nearly 50 of her books have been translated into twelve languages. She has an MFA in writing from Vermont College and an MA in children's literature from Hollins University and teaches in Hollins University's graduate program in children's literature. Ransom lives with her husband in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Brill :), January 24, 2002

By 

Deborah Ava Esposito (Mons, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Green Pocketbook (Paperback)

Wow, what a sweet book.
This story is told by the little girl who is going to town with her mother for the morning.
She has a big green pocketbook, just like Mama's, but hers is empty and she can't find anything to put inside it.
Mama says "hurry", because the bus is coming, so the little girl brings her empty pocketbook along anyway.
During the course of the morning, she gathers many treasures and by the time the bus comes to return the girl and her mother home, her pocketbook is full.

The little girl's view of the world is refreshing and enchanting.
She observes that the cool marble walls in the bank smell like pennies. And she is amazed that, at the drycleaners, the machine knows exactly where to stop for mama's suit.
This is a delightful book that moms and daughters will enjoy, but both boys and girls will like hearing it, and seeing the usual best from Candice Ransom and Felicia Bond's wonderful illustrations.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a delightful book, January 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Green Pocketbook (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. Our daughter is 3 and enjoys having it read over and over again. The main reason I love it is that is has a strong female lead in the young girl who accompanies her mother on a trip to town. The girl's observations about everyday things are amusing and intelligent.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a favorite in our house, September 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Green Pocketbook (Paperback)

This book reminds me so much of when I was a little girl and went with my mother to run errands. Back then the stores really did hand out keyrings and pocket calendars and my Grandma worked at a dry cleaner so I got to see the "magic machine" a lot when people picked up their clothes. My girls both love this book, even though the oldest is now 13. We have completely worn out the binding of the hardback copy we have!