WHAT'S IN YOUR PURSE?

Peek inside five different purses, each one owned by a different member of the same family.

Each double-page spread has a large flap, hinged at the top. This front flap opens from the bottom to reveal two or three smaller flaps representing various objects inside the tote, from Mommy’s compact with a Mylar mirror inside to the passport of a world-traveling auntie. The text is an invitation to open Grandma’s, Sis’ or even the protagonist’s purse as well as a series of questions to encourage readers to examine the contents more closely. “What year was Grandma born?” “What month did Auntie travel to New York?” Young readers may need help answering some of these queries, since several require them to read schedules and very small type. Although the cover purse is pink, it is refreshing to see that the purses these women carry are yellow, green and purple. The last page shows the five Caucasian women and girls of this family all out for a walk, each carrying her purse. The entire package is purse-shaped, with die-cut handles and a plastic snap for a closure, none of which will stand up to heavy-duty play. Unfortunately, a couple of things are already starting to look dated, particularly Sis’ flip phone.

The purse-as-book gimmick has been done several times before, but this iteration of the novelty is more chic than tacky.