Kristen Bell (1) (1980–)

I know there are a lot of critiques of this book because it seems like the authors are trying to exemplify color blindness in children, but I think it is about people first language. When learning about disabilities, the first thing you learn is to put the person first when naming the disability and I think this book highlights that by way of race. I can see the other point of views, but I also know through research and reading of the book that the authors simply want to show kids that your show more race should not matter, what matters is who you are and how you treat people. I will personally be putting this book in my classroom because I believe that kindness, curiousity, and generosity are important. Knowing what makes each other different is amazing and wonderful, but for young children the most importnant thing is that we show that our skin color differences don't matter as much as being a good person to all alike. I love how this book shows the reader that no matter what you can be a good person and being a good and kind person to everyone makes a huge difference. WIth all the division in the world, it is important for our children to know that we are all truly the same and our similarities are what join us, but our differences are what make us unique. show less

Penny tells the reader what kind of things make for a "purple person" -- being curious, asking questions, standing up for others, working hard, etc.

So I picked up this book almost entirely because I like the author's acting work. The title didn't speak to me so I was curious to see where it went. Most of the book is a very typical 'be kind' sort of book, not terribly different from many other books written that talk to young kids about being a good person.

However, I didn't really understand show more the "purple person" part and why that was needed as a descriptor for what otherwise just seemed like being a caring, considerate person. The premise seems to be that being purple is a state of mind, not an actual physical characteristic ... but why "purple"?

So I did a bit of digging and it seems to come from the idea of not caring if people are 'black, white, purple, or green.' A lot of people on the Internet seem mad that this book isn't properly tackling racism, although I'm not quite sure if that's really what it's trying to do ... ? There is one line that says, "PURPLE laughing helps us remember the things we share and forget what we thought made us different," that at first glance sounds soothing like we are all in harmony, but it also makes it seem like differences are bad, which they aren't necessarily.

The illustrations are interesting; I don't love the style per se, but I do like that they feature a diverse cast of kids and that there are funny little details in them like a book titled "Gargoyles Love Enchiladas," which seems like a reference (dig?) to the picture book "Dragons Love Tacos."

Final verdict is that I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. I see the concerns that people online expressed, but it also seemed like many of the people getting the angriest about this book didn't actually read it. I don't think I would recommend this title per se, but it wasn't as terrible as some folks were making it out to be (or as wonderful as some other folks were making it out to be!). show less

I know reviews are mixed online, but I loved this story. It may not have delved deep into racism like a lot of people expected, but I still thought it was a fantastic way to shine a light on kindness and being a helper and being true to yourself. I think it’s great to tell children to laugh and love and ask a ton of questions. The images were also adorable and full of snot and laughter.

A pretty fun movie that spins several tropes upside down, though I do wish Elsa's parents hadn't become so distant from their kids. I get that Elsa was scared and her parents were trying to help her the best they could but they basically swept stuff under the rug which led to the conflict between the sisters later. At least in the end it's resolved, so yay.