Mr. Pine's Purple House [Hardcover]

Leonard P Kessler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Mr. Pine lived on Vine Street in a little white house. "A white house is fine," said Mr. Pine, "but there are FIFTY white houses all in a line on Vine Street. How can I tell which house is mine?"

Mr. Pine had a big problem. But he solved that problem in his own special way. Mr. Pine's Purple House, first published in 1965, was a favorite children's book for many years. When it went out of print fans requested the return of the intrepid Mr. Pine. Well, Mr. Pine is back again, with his dog and his cat, his brushes and ladders, and lots of purple paint!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Mr. Pine lived on Vine Street in a little white house." That's all fine and dandy, but there are 50 white houses on Vine Street, all in a line, and Mr. Pine can't tell which one is his! To distinguish his own abode, he decides to plant a little pine tree in front, but his neighbors like that idea so much, they do it, too. Even when he plants a bush next to his tree, everyone follows suit. Finally, Mr. Pine paints his house purple--and to his delight, no one else wants a purple house. His neighbors are inspired, however, to paint their own houses all different colors, their first break with conformity. ("'Yellow for me,' said Mrs. Green. 'Green for me,' said Mrs. Brown.") First published in 1965 and out of print until recently, Leonard Kessler's Mr. Pine's Purple House--a story of the triumph of individualism--has crept into the hearts of thousands of readers for decades. Simple but memorable line drawings (splashed with purple), large type, and airy design combine with a meaningful story to make this a perfect choice for early readers who one day will dare to be different. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...a charming, easy-to-read children's book." -- The Dallas Morning News

...a cheery tale ...available for a whole new generation. -- A Common Reader --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 61 pages
• Publisher: Purple House Press; Revised edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930900155
• ISBN-13: 978-1930900158
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,721,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unusual use for this book, January 9, 2007

By 

Audrey (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Pine's Purple House (Hardcover)

When my children were young, I enjoyed reading this book to them because they responded with laughs and giggles. That was a long time ago, but they still talk about the book frequently when they get together. I think that's because it's a very good book to act out as you read it aloud.

Now, I've found another use for this light-hearted little book. I'm a retired theatre teacher, but I also teach literacy to adults. (You'd be surprised to learn how many American born adults cannot read even the simplest stories.) When I work with my students on stories outside of their workbooks, almost always the stories are about young children or cute little animals--an insult to a self-sufficient adult, who simply cannot read. The Mr. Pine stories are about an adult, who comes across as a very nice man, who has a job and a home. Nevertheless, the stories themselves, are at a level simple enough for a new learner. When my current student and I read it in "Duet Version" (He reads one page and I read the next,) he even laughed aloud at what was happening to poor Mr. Pine. I'd say that's a pretty special book that can inspire that level of enjoyment in a new reader. The other two books in the series ("Mr. Pines' Mixed-Up Signs" and "Mrs. Pine Takes a Trip") are also good for adult beginning readers.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Kessler I wish my mom kept this book!, September 27, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Pine's Purple House (Paperback)

This story was my absolute favorite as a child. I only can wish that one day I will be able to share it with my kids. Not only do I wish to share this with my own children but also with the children I teach. I believe it is important to reinforce, as a role model, my love for reading, and what better way to do that through my own childhood memories. I am afraid I will never see that purple book again. We all have our favorite books, but this one was very special to me. It painted such wonderful color and creativity in my life. I do have other favorites, still published, but this was the cream of the crop for me, as they say it. I just now will know better, to keep all my childrens favorite things, because you never know when they may want to cherish it again, we only get one childhood and memories are usually our only link.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm fuzzies, July 28, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Pine's Purple House (Hardcover)

I am so excited that this book is back in print. I can't wait to purchase it for my son and daughter (3 & 1) as it was my favorite book as a child (I'm 38 now). I remember it so vividly as my mother would read it to me and my sisters. It's such an endearing story that my sisters and I tried to locate it many years ago and found that it was no longer in print. I'm emailing all 3 now to let them know it's available again. If you have never read it, you are missing one of life's simple pleasures; it's humorous, yet teaches an important lesson about self and others.