Lilly's Big Day

by Kevin Henkes, Kevin Henkes (Illustrator)

Overview

Lilly, the star of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse; Julius, the Baby of the World; and Chester's Way, rises to the occasion as only Lilly can, turning heartbreak into wedding cake (a delicious three-tiered frosted Swiss cheese, no less), and disappointment into friendship. This is the paperback edition of the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller by Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.

What is the single most thrilling thing that could happen to Lilly in her whole entire life? Her favorite teacher, Mr. Slinger, is getting married, and Lilly is going to be his flower girl! Well, Lilly, thinks she is going to be his flower girl. It turns out that Mr. Slinger's niece Ginger is the official flower girl. But Lilly wasn't called "the Scarlett O'Hara of the elementary school set" without reason. This award-winning and beautifully illustrated picture book about friendship, perseverance, loyalty, love, weddings, and family is the companion to the bestselling classic, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062313584
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	04/22/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	32,460
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly's Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in Penny and Her Doll and Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a New York Times Book Review piece about A Good Day, wrote, "It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers, The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for Olive's Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels Junonia, Bird Lake Moon, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly's Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in Penny and Her Doll and Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a New York Times Book Review piece about A Good Day, wrote, "It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers, The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for Olive's Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels Junonia, Bird Lake Moon, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

Hometown:

Madison, Wisconsin

Date of Birth:

November 27, 1960

Place of Birth:

Racine, Wisconsin

Education:

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Website:

http://www.kevinhenkes.com

Editorial Reviews

Lilly is one of the great female characters in literature—like Anna Karenina with whiskers or Scarlett O’Hara with paws.

USA Today

Caldecott Award winner Kevin Henkes once again demonstrates perfect pitch for the emotional lives of the very young. Lilly, of course, understands the true truth: the flower girl is more important than the bride.

Chicago Tribune

The diminutive star of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse returns for an well-deserved encore in this fetching story about a wedding, a flower girl, and a very happy day.

When Mr. Slinger, Lilly's beloved teacher, announces his upcoming wedding, Lilly immediately begins practicing for her anticipated part as flower girl. Never mind that Mr. Slinger has not asked her to be a flower girl, as Lilly's parents gently point out. The compassionate Mr. Slinger realizes he has a problem when Lilly announces during Sharing Time that she has always wanted to be a flower girl, even more than a surgeon or a diva or a hairdresser. Then during art class, Lilly creates a detailed drawing of herself as "The World's Best and Most Famous Flower Girl!" Since Mr. Slinger has already asked his niece Ginger to be the flower girl, he invites Lilly to be her assistant. Lilly tries to build enthusiasm for this assigned role but secretly hopes that Ginger will come down with a fever or pinkeye—anything to keep her away from the wedding. Ginger does show up, but she freezes in fear and will not go down the aisle. Lilly comes to the rescue. The wedding proceeds perfectly and Lilly teaches Ginger her flower girl dance during the reception. Soon everyone, including the bride and groom, join in. Lively illustrations depict an exuberant Lilly prancing across the pages in colorful outfits complete with red boots on her feet, a red bow on her tail, and a gold crown on her head. Henkes portrays a wide range of emotions in the supporting cast of mice with simple lines expressing frustration, fear, surprise, pride, amusement, and joy. As in her previous books, Lilly emerges as a delightful character that children enjoy visiting. 2006, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Ages 5 to 8.
—Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.

Children's Literature

K-Gr 2-When her teacher, Mr. Slinger, announces that he is going to marry Ms. Shotwell, the school nurse, the indomitable Lilly takes her role as flower girl at their wedding for granted. Of course, he hasn't asked her-yet-but the young mouse commences practicing her very slow walk, eyebrows raised, hands in front grasping her imaginary bouquet. Her parents give her reasons why her plan might go awry. "Do you understand-?" they ask. "I understand that I'm going to be a flower girl," she responds. At school, she writes Mr. Slinger a note, declaring herself "The World's Best and Most Famous Flower Girl." He finally persuades her to be an assistant to his niece, and Lilly rises to the rescue in a surprise twist that satisfies everybody. Henkes's familiar watercolor cartoons elaborate on the witty text. The desperate looks on Lilly's parents' and Mr. Slinger's faces are priceless. Full-page vignettes depict the little protagonist proudly practicing her flower-girl walk, which is eventually taken up by all the wedding guests at the reception. Adults will especially enjoy the shopping scene in which the sales lady pronounces Lilly "adorable" and her Granny silently quips, "in small doses." But big doses of this feisty rodent will suit her many fans just fine.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Lilly, Henkes's peerless princess of mouse perfection, is absolutely certain that she is a shoo-in for the role of flower girl when her beloved teacher Mr. Slinger announces his impending nuptials. Lilly throws herself into preparations with her typical enthusiasm. When she discovers that she will not be the star flower girl, but only an apprentice to Mr. Slinger's niece, Ginger, she valiantly struggles to adjust to her new role. However, when Ginger is frozen by stage fright, Lilly naturally saves the day with elan that surpasses the most seasoned red-carpet celebrities. Henkes manages once again to present Lilly in all of her wonderful, flawed glory, and readers will continue to love her dearly for it. In between giggles, they'll get a Lilly lesson in handling disappointments with aplomb. As always, Henkes's illustrations perfectly capture every delightful nuance of Lilly's persona whether she's practicing aisle-walking "in something more appropriate" or announcing her intentions to the universe. With Lilly, it's always a big day. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews