I loved this book! We need more books like this that normalize gender nonconformity. It was a treat. I have a male student who loves wearing nail polish, and I think this would be a great book for his class to read as it also explores something outside of the gender norm. I love that Charlie isn't picked on for his purse, that others he meets just ask him about it and he is so proud and not self-conscious about wearing it. Great message throughout.

I Love My Purse is a sweetly whimsical book aimed at children and younger readers (K-2, Lexile 560 ). At 34 pages, hardcover format, it's the right size and length for a solo reading session with a colorful message that isn't preachy or threatening.

I loved the way that Charlie, who's a normal, active, friendly and fun kid, influences the people he meets in his everyday life by being himself. The book could so easily have been strident or unhappy, and it's not. It's full of full color illustrations by Sonja Wimmer, accompanied by Belle DeMont's bouncy text.

There's a lot to like here. Charlie isn't threatened or bullied, he's a really polite kid who sticks up for his desire to use his purse to carry his stuff. He's not feminized or anything other than a boy (the art really shines here when the reader gets to see what a typical kid carries around, including a half eaten apple, a shoe, a frog in a bathtub and other even more whimsical things). It's never mentioned, but the characters are ethnically diverse and Charlie's father seems to be a positively portrayed single parent.

I enjoyed this beautiful little book very much.

Five stars. Positively portrayed non strident message about gender role conformity.

+Art, the idea of pushing for acceptance of people particularly boys who go against our societies standards of them
-very simplistic (probably the adult in me) in how it talks about toxic masculinity and being different.

This incredibly sweet book tells the story of Charlie who loves his red purse and will not be swayed by the people who tell him he should not carry it around. By the end of the book, everyone else has decided to show off the things that make them happy as well. Told in engaging language, accompanied by bold illustrations, this book is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Charlie decided one morning to take the bright red purse that his grandmother had given him and wear it to school. His dad noticed immediately and mentioned that boys don’t carry purses, but Charlie continued down the stairs with his purse. His father thought about the Hawaiian shirts he would love to wear to work. At school, a girl in his class noticed the purse and told Charlie that boys don’t carry purses. Charlie carried on. The girl started to wonder about wearing face paint to school. At lunch, some older boys pointed out that Charlie had a purse and then one of the boys wondered about what it would be like to cook real food at school. The crossing guard mentioned his favorite sparkly shoes when he saw Charlie’s purse. The next day, things changed. Charlie still carried the big red purse but others were doing what they wanted to too.

Demont manages to write a book about embracing children who are not following gender norms without making the book about lecturing readers. The clever piece of the book is that those protesting Charlie’s purse are then inspired themselves to break with societal norms and rules in their own way. Wimmer does a great job with making the illustrations bright and merry, showing Charlie as a happy child who is sure of himself even as others question him. A winner for families and schools being more inclusive about breaking gender norms. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

A definite celebration of self expression and rejection of gender roles. Think of it like a modern version of William's Doll. The protagonist's self-certainty gives others the courage to experiment with self-expression. Its a slightly heavy handed message but expressed with charm and humor.

This is such a good book! It not only has a great story about being different, it has some brilliant illustrations - the book tells you how it doesn't matters what others think and to just be yourself no matter what age you are - 5 stars from me

Charlie chooses to take his bright red purse to school. His grandmother gave it to him and he loves it. In spite of the comments the people around him make he carries his purse with confidence. An interesting look at a child being himself in spite of gender norms.

This children's book has wonderfully expressive illustrations that combine whimsy alongside reality. The illustrator has a true knack for drawing expressive faces and in using color to evoke emotion in movement.

This book is one that needs to be on the shelf of every child. It celebrates individualism and helps teach kids that it is ok to be different. It celebrates not only children making choices for themselves, but also teaches them to stand up for what is important to them.

The story is not just a life lesson, it is also a fun and funny book that will grab AND HOLD a young child's attention from beginning to end. The writing style comes across as almost rhythmic.

The author, Belle DeMont is Canadian and I love to support the many talented writers who live in Canada. Canadian children's books are among some of the best of all time.

I rate this book as 5 out of 5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley to review. "'Cause I want to" is Charlie's answer when questioned by dad, friends at school, crossing guard etc why he is carrying a purse.. Grandma gave Charlie a big red purse to play with .. however Charlie thinks it will make a wonderful bag to take his things to school. As the book continues he kindly reminds everyone he comes into contact with that there are fun times for fun items to wear. This book has a great lesson to be learned! As a society we can conform to what we think is the right thing to be or do in a certain environment and Charlie's purse reminds us all there are times for a fun time... the bright shirt to be worn or sparkly shoes. This book does not disappoint. Pictures and colors are fantastic! I would age this book about 6-10.

Charlie loves his bright red purse that his grandmother gave to him. One day he decides to wear it to school. Everyone around him questions his choice of a purse because after all boys don't have purses they wear baseball caps and sneakers, carry worms in their pockets and toads in their backpacks, ride skateboards and read comic books. Charlie's answer is, " I love my purse." I'm carrying a purse, "Cause I want to." That answer is good enough for him because you see Charlie is a boy who is comfortable in his own skin, he likes himself, he is confident, knows what he wants and goes for it. His has great self-esteem and it shows.

His attitude and sense of self-worth inspires others around him to do the same. They learn from Charlie that it is important to be who you are - to be true to yourself. His dad dons his favourite Hawaiian shirt and off he goes to work, his friend Charlotte decides to paint her face like a tiger as she's very into face-painting, an older boy exhibits his culinary skills, and the crossing guard now twinkles in a pair of sparkly shoes that he adores and is happy to showcase to others.

This fun book highlights gender roles, family and friends, self-esteem, and acceptance. I love the fact that nobody in the story harshly judged Charlie or bullied him, but were inspired by him and in so doing were free to express the things that they loved to do.

The illustrations are action-packed, detailed and very entertaining. I highly recommend this debut book by the author.

I love this book. Charlie made a decision to take his red purse that his grandmother had given to him to school instead of wearing backpack. He loved his purse and was not worried what everyone else thought. His reasoning and confidence gave others he knew the confidence to do what they really wanted such as wear a hawaiian shirt to school, or wear your glittery shoes. This story not only builds confidence to be who you really are, but also shines a light on gender stereotypes. In this story, Charlie's parents let Charlie wear that purse with pride and do not try to protect him from what he may face along the way such as teasing and ridicule. Peer pressure could also be introduced to kids. Charlie does not give in to peer pressure. I love his responses when he is asked about why he is wearing the purse and why not using a backpack. A great book for kids that want to do things that don't fit into boxes. This is a great story for all children, families, classrooms etc. It will definitely start discussions that can help children deal with several issues and situations.

I am in love with this book. Charlie has a big, bright, red purse that his grandmother gave him. One day he decides he's going to carry it. And he doesn’t let what anyone else says about it affect him. He likes it and he wants to carry it. And his attitude is infectious and spreads, as his classmates starting doing things they really like as well. It doesn’t matter what your are “supposed” to do, do what makes your happy.

I love this book. I love Charlie, and how, instead of getting defensive when people question his love for his purse, he simply tells them he wears it because he likes it and wants to. I don't have kids but am always on the lookout for fresh, diverse books for my niece, and I think this is a great one! The main character is a role model who doesn't let other people pressure him into conforming just because it's what's expected, and by the end of the book, he's inspired a few people to be themselves as well. It's a great message for kids, and the art is beautiful. I'll definitely be looking into getting this one for my niece.

This was an insightful children's story, as it explored themes of appearance and conformity, with the message that all individuals should have equal opportunity to express themselves.

Great story about being different and remaining unfluffed by the reactions of other kids, influencing others—not just other kids—to tap into what they love as well, be it make-up, shirts or sparkly shoes. Wonderfully illustrated by Sonja Wimmer. Sweet. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review.

What I like about this book is that it happens in the real world. No one is trying to protect Charlie from a world that doesn't undestand why a boy would love a purse. It is his grandmother's purse, and it carries cool things, and why not carry it.

Charlie doesn't give into peer pressure. He just keeps carrying his purse around, when no one else thinks it is a good idea, when they say, well, if you can do that, what would stop me from doing something else strange. His response is, well do so, and they do.

What I really love is this has nothing to do with gender, but rather gender stereotypes. Charlie doesn't want things that only women are allowed to have, he simply wants this purse.

Great book for kids that want to do things that doen't fit in boxes, that it is ok to do so.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I Love My Purse was the perfect picture book for any class. I am looking forward to using it in my own class to develop empathy, understanding and confidence. What I loved most about the book was Charlie's confidence throughout no matter who said what to him. Then his confidence inspired others to make changes in their own lives. Truly spectacular story. September 12th can't get here soon enough.

A great children's book about gender and the choices we make.