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My Purple World #1
The World Needs More Purple People
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Picture Books (2020)Actress, producer, and parent Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen) and creative director and parent Benjamin Hart have a new challenge for you and your kids: become a purple person!
What is a purple person? Great question. I mean, really great! Because purple people always ask really great questions. They bring their family, friends, and communities together, and they speak up for what’s right. They are kind and hardworking, and they love to laugh (especially at Grandpa’s funny noises)! A purple person is an everyday superhero! How do you become one? That’s the fun part! Penny Purple will lead you through the steps. Get ready to be silly, exercise your curiosity, use your voice, and be inspired.
Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart have created a hilarious and joyous read-aloud that offers a wonderful message about embracing the things that bring us together as humans. This book will inspire a whole generation to paint the world purple!
What is a purple person? Great question. I mean, really great! Because purple people always ask really great questions. They bring their family, friends, and communities together, and they speak up for what’s right. They are kind and hardworking, and they love to laugh (especially at Grandpa’s funny noises)! A purple person is an everyday superhero! How do you become one? That’s the fun part! Penny Purple will lead you through the steps. Get ready to be silly, exercise your curiosity, use your voice, and be inspired.
Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart have created a hilarious and joyous read-aloud that offers a wonderful message about embracing the things that bring us together as humans. This book will inspire a whole generation to paint the world purple!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2020
About the author
Kristen Bell
12 books48 followersKristen Bell is a mostly grown adult who spends much of her time pretending to be other people. She finds this pursuit oddly rewarding, mostly because of the free food. She is also an actress and producer who has starred in such films as Frozen, Bad Moms, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, as well as the television series The Good Place and Veronica Mars. She has been a guest editor for Parents magazine and has been featured in parenting articles on platforms like Motherly, Real Simple, Babble, and more. She also produces and stars in the web series Momsplaining for EllenTube.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
December 7, 2020
I really wanted to like this book...but just no. Kindness won’t solve systemic racism. Encouraging kids to just work hard if they want to succeed is just 😬. So many better books out there to teach kids to ask questions, acknowledge and respect differences, think critically, and address real world issues in age appropriate ways.
June 15, 2020
**This book is not about race in any way, but it can seem insensitive due to the timing of when it was published and the Black Lives Matter movement that correlates with that timing**
I really loved this book! As an educator it hit all the things I would look for when adding a book to my classroom. Some of the things the main character Penny says are so accurate to how a child talks. In the book, Bell is challenging children to see past POLITICAL differences (this is strongly inferred through the text on page one, by explaining that purple is great because it is created when red and blue come together), and to celebrate the things people have in common. Its a book that tries to see past divisiveness and acknowledge people as people - whatever their political siding.
I really loved this book! As an educator it hit all the things I would look for when adding a book to my classroom. Some of the things the main character Penny says are so accurate to how a child talks. In the book, Bell is challenging children to see past POLITICAL differences (this is strongly inferred through the text on page one, by explaining that purple is great because it is created when red and blue come together), and to celebrate the things people have in common. Its a book that tries to see past divisiveness and acknowledge people as people - whatever their political siding.
June 9, 2020
If you are looking for a book about diversity and race, this is not it; it is a book about character traits. It is not about “color.” If you are looking for a book that
represents
our society’s diversity, you will find that in Daniel Wiseman’s delightful illustrations.
Within these pages find simple lessons on asking questions {those lead to answers}, laughing more {it is hard to be angry if you are laughing), speaking up … and out {the benefits are immense if you use your voice}, and hard work yields results. We do need more purple people. And, this book will help you discover your purple!
Within these pages find simple lessons on asking questions {those lead to answers}, laughing more {it is hard to be angry if you are laughing), speaking up … and out {the benefits are immense if you use your voice}, and hard work yields results. We do need more purple people. And, this book will help you discover your purple!
January 21, 2022
I recommend this book to everyone of any age. She talks about how we should judge people not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their charictor.
June 6, 2020
This is so ham-fisted...if you want to teach kids about diversity, start by reading them kids’ books that are actually written by people of color. This book veers into “I don’t see color” territory & seems like the message would be convoluted for kids to understand.
June 14, 2021
💜 Purple is a magic color made when red and blue work together.
I think all the best things in the world are purple 💜
and here steps to turn into a purple person, one of them :
Paint your self purple
wait, it's a joke 😀
But really this adorable purple picture book contains a surefire steps to become a purple person and also includes a touching and warm inspirational message that will make you decide to become a purple person, and you should,
Cause the world really needs more purple people to make it wonderful, cheerful, joyful and warm.
I'm glad cause I love purple color and all purple things in the world,
I'm glad cause i'm a purple person,
Let's color the world with purple ~
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
13.06.2021
June 13, 2020
A very poorly written book that doesn’t help children understand racism. It’s clear this was written by someone who has no understanding or experience with racism. Purple people as a euphemism to POC is offensive and is actually dehumanising.
December 24, 2020
Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books. The World Needs More Purple People, written by (actress) Kirsten Bell and Benjamin Hart and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman is book #18 (of 20) of 2020. It’s a book about why it is important to become purple, of which there are four characteristics: 1) Ask good questions; 2) Laugh; 3) Use Your Voice, and 4) Be totally YOU. NOT paint yourself purple, because it is not about what color you are, because we can all be "purple."
Harry (15): 45 stars. I liked all the questions in the first part (especially about how kids ask lots of annoying questions, like the ones about dolphins, do they live in space, etc. And no, don’t paint yourself purple.
Tara: 3.5 stars. Idk what purple has to do with anything, but the thing I got out of it is that it is good to be an inquisitive person. It was okay.
Dave: 2 stars. Vanilla digital art, 4 unrelated characteristics about how you can be the best person, then they tell you to be“totally you?” Ugh. I think that the 100 million people who love Kristen Bell as an actress may be tempted to pick up this book when they see her name. This is called marketing, kids. This is undermining my Christmas spirit a bit.
Harry (15): 45 stars. I liked all the questions in the first part (especially about how kids ask lots of annoying questions, like the ones about dolphins, do they live in space, etc. And no, don’t paint yourself purple.
Tara: 3.5 stars. Idk what purple has to do with anything, but the thing I got out of it is that it is good to be an inquisitive person. It was okay.
Dave: 2 stars. Vanilla digital art, 4 unrelated characteristics about how you can be the best person, then they tell you to be“totally you?” Ugh. I think that the 100 million people who love Kristen Bell as an actress may be tempted to pick up this book when they see her name. This is called marketing, kids. This is undermining my Christmas spirit a bit.
June 10, 2020
I might be slightly biased because I love Kristen Bell. However, this is also a great book, in a time like ours currently with the struggles with justice, politically, and even the pandemic.... everything going on in society right now is separating people into different boxes and based on the news you are reading they say group A or group B is right and the other is so wrong.... I find much of the world depressing because we are focusing too much on our differences and negativity. I love that this book is teaching kids to look for similarities rather than differences (and even politically, rather than being left or right, red or blue, be purple) it's so simple and sweet but yet needs to be more common in our life, we really do need more purple people.
June 16, 2020
I keep seeing so many negative reviews saying this book won’t solve racism. Well no it won’t. It’s a child’s book. It is to try to show them to treat other people with respect even if they have already been introduced to some form of racism. So no it won’t solve the problem but it may help some kids understand some things better. But seriously it’s a children’s book. Just enjoy a fun story about being purple and relax guys.
June 10, 2020
Beautiful. A fun book that teaches children how to be themselves, stick up for others, work hard, and other good attributes. I like the sly political reference of mixing red and blue to make purple as I find that I don’t align with either party. Fun kid’s book that tackles big picture ideas. It graces the surface, but a great starting point for everyone to have in the family library.
October 1, 2020
MEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
July 17, 2020
Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart started working on this book two years ago - it takes a while to get a book published! The world needs more people who question the status quo, who aren't afraid to be silly and laugh, and who advocate for change. They also recognize when their friends are being bullied and offer to help defend them. And sometimes - they don't like brussel sprouts. It's a book filled with hope and encouragement to be who you are.
June 29, 2020
I love this book! The United States needs this reminder purple people are what happens when people are in a more moderate position. It is a book pertaining to the fact that Democrats and Republicans need to work together to make the world a better place...hence the red and blue coming together to create purple. This book is not about race it is about Uniting people together for the good of everyone.
October 17, 2020
How to be a better person for kids
As an educator, the age and personalities of your students will determine how much you like this one or how helpful it may be. Some will love the simple steps and others will find the steps too simple.
As an educator, the age and personalities of your students will determine how much you like this one or how helpful it may be. Some will love the simple steps and others will find the steps too simple.
April 5, 2021
Miss S and I loved this book! The lessons are wonderful! There are easy to follow steps to become a Purple Person. What is a purple person, you ask? They ask lots and lots of questions. They want to learn. They laugh a lot. Excellent book!!
October 6, 2020
Featured in grandma reads session.
This is a delightful book by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart, introducing the idea of melding our red and blue tendencies, and grow our purple selves.
A fun idea, that really appealed to my kiddos listening to the words that encourage everyone to make room for all the people in the room, community, and world. Use your voice when you need to in order to make safe all the places we are for ourselves and others - stand up for others when something is happening to them that we wouldn't want to happen to ourselves or our loved ones. Take turns, listen to others without trying to change their minds - but share your ideas when asked, please and thank you manners just because that's a great way to live and encourage each other to keep trying, growing and having fun. Don't just do what you are good at, explore, and when we explore or others explore and they don't excel, don't cut them down. Encourage. Be purple. Practice all these purple habits and the whole world will get a little more purple.
No mistake - you can be and feel all your colors - but purple habits make room for everyone, safe and happy and healthy.
4 stars for the inclusive and much needed message!
This is a delightful book by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart, introducing the idea of melding our red and blue tendencies, and grow our purple selves.
A fun idea, that really appealed to my kiddos listening to the words that encourage everyone to make room for all the people in the room, community, and world. Use your voice when you need to in order to make safe all the places we are for ourselves and others - stand up for others when something is happening to them that we wouldn't want to happen to ourselves or our loved ones. Take turns, listen to others without trying to change their minds - but share your ideas when asked, please and thank you manners just because that's a great way to live and encourage each other to keep trying, growing and having fun. Don't just do what you are good at, explore, and when we explore or others explore and they don't excel, don't cut them down. Encourage. Be purple. Practice all these purple habits and the whole world will get a little more purple.
No mistake - you can be and feel all your colors - but purple habits make room for everyone, safe and happy and healthy.
4 stars for the inclusive and much needed message!
October 21, 2020
Eh, 2.5. [Edited: 1] This is for an audience younger than I typically read. The whole red + blue = purple, we're purple people is ham-fisted, on the nose, and too simplistic even for this age group. Buuuuut, watching an interview with Bell had me cringing to read this book much more than the actual book itself.
I don't think children's books need to be overly goofy or basic which I think this was. Then again, I typically don't read younger than middle grades and even then I want them to step it up.
Without context, this is just a basic book. It's not the great unifier, but some of your favorites are probably more overtly problematic if we're being honest.
Edit, 10 minutes later: Nah... I rewatched a clip from Bell. A roadmap, this.... nah, this isn't a map. "We don't teach kids how to navigate..." Of course WE do. Maybe YOU don't. Maybe those in your circle don't, but those in MY circle absolutely do. The subtext to her clip is, "It's okay to be in exclusively white spaces -not because we're all white, cause that would obviously be wrong- but because we all have these things in common. Like, living in these (white) neighborhoods, attending these (white) schools, going to (PW) institutions, enjoying Greek life, getting married, and raising kids to enjoy all the same things that we do! Do you want to set up a play date?"
We're no longer at a time where we separate the art from the artist. Books don't exist in a vacuum; context matters. This... no, we don't need this. If this is a map you do not want to arrive at the destination.
I don't think children's books need to be overly goofy or basic which I think this was. Then again, I typically don't read younger than middle grades and even then I want them to step it up.
Without context, this is just a basic book. It's not the great unifier, but some of your favorites are probably more overtly problematic if we're being honest.
Edit, 10 minutes later: Nah... I rewatched a clip from Bell. A roadmap, this.... nah, this isn't a map. "We don't teach kids how to navigate..." Of course WE do. Maybe YOU don't. Maybe those in your circle don't, but those in MY circle absolutely do. The subtext to her clip is, "It's okay to be in exclusively white spaces -not because we're all white, cause that would obviously be wrong- but because we all have these things in common. Like, living in these (white) neighborhoods, attending these (white) schools, going to (PW) institutions, enjoying Greek life, getting married, and raising kids to enjoy all the same things that we do! Do you want to set up a play date?"
We're no longer at a time where we separate the art from the artist. Books don't exist in a vacuum; context matters. This... no, we don't need this. If this is a map you do not want to arrive at the destination.
July 8, 2020
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.
November 22, 2020
Annual Goodreads Choice Awards reading project: Read all the Picture Book nominees! (17 of 20)
Mm-kay. Sure. Next.
Mm-kay. Sure. Next.
June 22, 2020
The message is good, and I think the "purple" comes from the mixing of red and blue (political colors). It was never really mentioned besides "there are red people and blue people," so that was the only thing was like, "Is this what this is trying to reference?" It never tells you specifically why purple people as opposed to, say, green people or polka dot people. The other thing is it feels very wordy; it was near some other kids books in the store, so I wasn't sure what exact grade level it was aimed for, but the layout just felt very busy, very wordy, and a little overwhelming to make sense of. High-energy book, that's for sure, like it was written by someone with ADHD that resisted a lot of editing. (Maybe that's why I didn't pick up on "why purple?")
June 24, 2020
I’m so grateful to my friend, Lauren, for making sure I get my hands on some books that aren’t available at our local libraries. She dropped this one off last week and it’s super cute. I loved the message of what it means to be purple. And trust me, you WANT to be a purple person if you aren’t already!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
June 5, 2020
Adorable children’s book about accepting people’s differences.
November 1, 2020
A cute and inclusive book about being a good person.
May 11, 2021
I checked this book out as a potential candidate for LGBTQIA+ storytime because I thought it was about LGBT/pride stuff. WRONG. All the Goodreads reviews say this book is about systematic racism. Wrong? If people can't figure out what your book is about, that is off to a bad start.
Anyways, I read the whole book and I still don't know what it is about. Maybe racism. Maybe self acceptance relate to gender. Maybe it is about charity? Being kind? Helping out? Sharing with others? Literally painting yourself purple? I guess a "Purple Person" does not totally need a cut n' dry definition but at the same time I am confused. Some of the steps are real some of the steps are jokes, but follow them all anyways to be a Purple Person. Do Purple People get into The Good Place (lol)?
Celebrities do not need to write kids books simply because they are celebrities. This wouldn't be published if it wasn't by Kristen Bell. Focus on your professional strengths (such as acting!) & I will do the same with being a Youth Librarian.
Anyways, I read the whole book and I still don't know what it is about. Maybe racism. Maybe self acceptance relate to gender. Maybe it is about charity? Being kind? Helping out? Sharing with others? Literally painting yourself purple? I guess a "Purple Person" does not totally need a cut n' dry definition but at the same time I am confused. Some of the steps are real some of the steps are jokes, but follow them all anyways to be a Purple Person. Do Purple People get into The Good Place (lol)?
Celebrities do not need to write kids books simply because they are celebrities. This wouldn't be published if it wasn't by Kristen Bell. Focus on your professional strengths (such as acting!) & I will do the same with being a Youth Librarian.
June 22, 2020
I had no idea this was a celebrity book, which I suppose is a good thing. Throw your "what color is your parachute" expectations away and read this to your favorite early-elementary kiddo. Expect boogers.
Also want to show appreciation to the artist, Daniel Wiseman, who's got some fun, colorful illustrations which show diversity of ability, skin color, and age with regularity. Thanks!
Also want to show appreciation to the artist, Daniel Wiseman, who's got some fun, colorful illustrations which show diversity of ability, skin color, and age with regularity. Thanks!
September 3, 2020
Very good book that serves as an antidote to identity politics and racial division. Being purple is not about being purple on the OUTSIDE. It's about being that unique, fantastic, interesting person who adds value to the world and to the community, rather than destroying it. PURPLE LIVES MATTER. Let us all be purple.
November 17, 2020
3.5 stars. I love purple and welcome all purple people. According to the authors, purple people blend, question, laugh, speak, listen, and paint themselves purple. However, the best type of purple is being you. Colorfully drawn filled with people and actions. Recognizing that this is a children’s book, I still found the message simplistic.
June 4, 2020
Bell's book is a "celebrity book" (a bit indulgent) but has a really nice message. Also, it has a modern tone (Grandma's page is riiiiiight up a kids alley!!! It deals with snot.....) A book that shows diversity with a child's innocence and humor, but not childish.
October 11, 2020
I wasn't sure about the title of this book, because my extended family is totally purple, as in K-State purple! Best line in the book "I personally feel like we shouldn't have to eat brussels sprouts, because they smell like sweaty socks." Wonderful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews