Grandma Mimi's large patchwork purse always contains treasures: lipstick, perfume, earrings, hairpins, candy, etc. The unnamed narrator claims that everything in the purse is "how Mimi gets to be Mimi," and once the girl uses each item, she declares, "I can be Mimi, too!" The highly textured images in this heartfelt homage depict the daily-ness of African American girlhood with a grandma who brings the magic. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

GRACE FOR GUS By Harry Bliss. Illustrated by Harry Bliss and Frank Young In this wordless graphic novel-style picture book, Grace's class wants a new hamster. She sneaks out to raise money by busking, drawing and dancing. Bliss, a New Yorker cartoonist, piles on funny Manhattan details kids may miss, but they'll love Grace's spunky quest to make a difference on her own.

PreS-Gr 2-A little African American girl eagerly awaits her grandma Mimi's arrival, because when Grandma comes, there is always a treasure in her purse! This visit is no different. With each item she removes from the purse comes an explanation from Grandma about how that item will come in handy ("You never know what you'll want to have with you!") or a bit about its sentimental value ("This coin purse holds my coins, of course, but it also holds memories"). Brantley-Newton's vividly colorful images paint the happiness the little girl feels in her grandmother's presence. By story's end, the child has taken everything out of grandma's purse and either tried it on or played with it, except for that very last thing in the bottom of the purse that has the girl's name on it! That special gift could lead to another book about this delightful family, or at least, we can hope so. This grandmother confidently seems to impart self-confidence and style to her granddaughter. VERDICT A strong intergenerational choice for any picture book collection.-Jennifer Steib Simmons, -Anderson County Library, SC © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A small black girl excitedly awaits the arrival of her grandma Mimi, who brings her large, colorful purse, full of treasures and surprises. Warmth and love spread over the pages as the two enjoy their time together. The purse is not magical, but it seems that way to the girl as Mimi shares her lipstick, perfume, hairpins, sunglasses, earrings, scarf, candy, and phone. A beautifully decorated change purse prompts Mimi to recall the story of how the girl's grandfather brought it back from Japan, and a stack of family photos reminds them of other happy memories. The little girl wants to be just like Mimi, as she tries on and tries out each item. The best thing is found at the bottom of the amazing pocketbook. Removing the gaily wrapped package, the little girl discovers a smaller purse just for her, ready to hold all of her unique supplies. Gouache, charcoal pencil, and digital tools create an exuberant mélange of brightly colored, cheerful images, perfectly matched to the cheerful tone of the intergenerational story.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2017 Booklist