Mr. Pine's Purple House

When my children were young, I enjoyed reading this book to them because they responded with laughs and giggles. That was a long time ago, but they still talk about the book frequently when they get together. I think that's because it's a very good book to act out as you read it aloud. Now, I've found another use for this light-hearted little book. I'm a retired theatre teacher, but I also teach literacy to adults. (You'd be surprised to learn how many American born adults cannot read even the simplest stories.) When I work with my students on stories outside of their workbooks, almost always the stories are about young children or cute little animals--an insult to a self-sufficient adult, who simply cannot read. The Mr. Pine stories are about an adult, who comes across as a very nice man, who has a job and a home. Nevertheless, the stories themselves, are at a level simple enough for a new learner. When my current student and I read it in "Duet Version" (He reads one page and I read the next,) he even laughed aloud at what was happening to poor Mr. Pine. I'd say that's a pretty special book that can inspire that level of enjoyment in a new reader. The other two books in the series ("Mr. Pines' Mixed-Up Signs" and "Mrs. Pine Takes a Trip") are also good for adult beginning readers.

I am so excited that this book is back in print. I can't wait to purchase it for my son and daughter (3 & 1) as it was my favorite book as a child (I'm 38 now). I remember it so vividly as my mother would read it to me and my sisters. It's such an endearing story that my sisters and I tried to locate it many years ago and found that it was no longer in print. I'm emailing all 3 now to let them know it's available again. If you have never read it, you are missing one of life's simple pleasures; it's humorous, yet teaches an important lesson about self and others.

I received this book as a present from my Grandmother in 1968 when I was three. I asked to have it read to me many, many times as a child; I am sure it played a big part in why I learned to love to read and why my favorite color has ALWAYS been PURPLE. I am really glad to see that there were other kids out there (adults now) who enjoyed that book as much as I did. (...)

This story was my absolute favorite as a child. I only can wish that one day I will be able to share it with my kids. Not only do I wish to share this with my own children but also with the children I teach. I believe it is important to reinforce, as a role model, my love for reading, and what better way to do that through my own childhood memories. I am afraid I will never see that purple book again. We all have our favorite books, but this one was very special to me. It painted such wonderful color and creativity in my life. I do have other favorites, still published, but this was the cream of the crop for me, as they say it. I just now will know better, to keep all my childrens favorite things, because you never know when they may want to cherish it again, we only get one childhood and memories are usually our only link.

I read Mr. Pine's Purple House to my son (who is now 27 years old) when he was 7+ years old. He liked for me read to him while he was taking his bath at night, and I would have to read this book over and over again. I would love to find a copy of this book. It brings back wonderful memories.