Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse: questions to ask and activities to try
Lilly adores her teacher, until he takes away her new purple plastic purse and she does something she regrets. A warm, funny book about anger, regret and saying sorry.
What age is Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse for?
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse is best for ages 4–7.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse (Kevin Henkes)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- Angry moments you regret, and how to say sorry
Only 50pLilly’s Purple Plastic Purse activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Pause when Lilly finds the note in her purse and ask how she feels now. Then talk about the different ways she tried to make it right.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–7 (Reception to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- Lilly adores her teacher, until he takes away her new purple plastic purse and she does something she regrets. A warm, funny book about anger, regret and saying sorry.
- Helps with
- Angry moments you regret, and how to say sorry
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Anger and impulsive reactions
- Regret and saying sorry
- Waiting your turn to share
- Fixing a friendship
Comprehension and discussion questions for Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why did Mr. Slinger take Lilly’s purse?”
- “What did Lilly do when she was angry?”
- “How did she feel when she found his note?”
- “How did she try to make things right?”
- “Have you ever done something when you were cross that you wished you hadn’t?”
- “What’s a good way to say sorry?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
All 6 questions for Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Sorry note
Help your child write or draw a sorry note for a real or pretend situation. What makes a good apology?
Cool-down purse
Fill a small bag with things that help your child calm down, like a squishy toy or a picture.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Big Feelings bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Colour MonsterThe Paper DollsTiddlerWhen Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…Where the Wild Things AreGrumpy MonkeyNot Now, BernardA Great Big CuddleAnna Hibiscus' SongAugustus and His SmileHappyHarry and the Bucketful of DinosaursI Love You, Blue Kangaroo!Knuffle BunnyPenguin£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse + The Colour Monster + The Paper DollsThe 3 books:Lilly’s Purple Plastic PurseThe Colour MonsterThe Paper Dolls£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about anger and impulsive reactions.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–7 (Reception to Year 2), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Pause when Lilly finds the note in her purse and ask how she feels now. Then talk about the different ways she tried to make it right.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did Mr. Slinger take Lilly’s purse?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Sorry note. Help your child write or draw a sorry note for a real or pretend situation. What makes a good apology? Children who finish early can try Cool-down purse.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
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- Age
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- Age
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.