Author: Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart

Illustrator: Daniel Wiseman

Publisher: Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Div of Random House

Join Penny on her day as she shares her five steps to becoming a “purple person” – not quite painted purple, but rather, blended vibrantly with a splash of kindness, joy, and laughter that will be sure to make you smile. The more you lean into each step, the more purple you become. And the best part? Everyone, no matter who they are, is invited and encouraged to embark on this journey.

It’s a nice and brief story with a general message for inclusion with humorous bits and bobs scattered throughout to keep the whole family engaged. The steps are solid and concrete ways a child can infuse kindness into their life by learning from others, staying curious, and making change. There’s a more subtle message embedded within which introduces the idea of advocating not just for yourself, but also for others in times of need – highlighting that this involves listening just as much as speaking! My favorite line from this book is acknowledging the power in laughter: “When you laugh a lot, you remember the things you share and forget what made you different.” <3