MR. PINE'S PURPLE HOUSE

Mr. Pine

by Leonard Kessler

Mr. Pine lived on Vine Street in a little white house. "A white house is fine," said Mr. Pine, "but there are FIFTY white houses all in a line on Vine Street. How can I tell which house is mine?"

Mr. Pine had a big problem. But he solved that problem in his own special way. Mr. Pine's Purple House, first published in 1965, was a favorite children's book for many years. When it went out of print, fans requested the return of the intrepid Mr. Pine. Well, Mr. Pine is back again, with his dog and his cat, his brushes and ladders, and lots of purple paint!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Dogs, Juvenile

61 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Leonard Kessler was an American children’s book author and illustrator and centenarian.
Kessler was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Europe. Kessler received his bachelor's degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University in 1949. Kessler moved with his wife and family to New York City, New York and then they moved to New City, New York. Kessler wrote and illustrated books for young readers.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I can remember checking out of my school library when I was first learning to read. I have fond memories of sitting on the couch and reading this book with my Father. Somewhere along the line I lost my original copy but in 2004 I bought another copy to read with my daughter and subsequently later with my boys.

This is my February choice for my 2022 Personal Challenge to re-read a childhood favourite book 💜

Mr. Pine's Purple House still stands up after all these years. It's a cute little story for young readers. Its rhymes and repetitions make it very easy to help a child learn to read. I remember his mishaps while trying to paint his house made me laugh.

The best part is the sublime message in the book. It's ok to be different and you don't have to be like everybody else!

Leonard Kessler recently passed on February 16, 2022 at the age of 101. He wrote many other books featuring Mr. Pine but I think this one is a special gift he leaves behind for children of the past, present and future.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleased to meet you, Mr. Pine. I do think your purple house looks very fine. Are you aware that you look very much like your creator (Leonard Kessler) with a mustache? A delightful chapter book about Mr. Pine on Vine Street and his quest to make his house look different from the other 49 houses, all in a row. It is not easy. There are a few missteps with bushes and trees that are copied by the neighbors. Even the purple paint job has a few hiccups. I love that this book is just as old as I am and the extra notes from the author are a delight. Thank you to my Goodreads friend Tina for bringing this book to my attention. Now I want a purple house. . .or maybe a purple car?

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child! Purple was my favorite color and of course this book was about purple! My mother gave me the book before she died (even though I wasn't yet a year-old) and I still have it. It is one of my most cherished belongings, but I've already ordered a copy to have on hand for my own one day. I can't wait to read it to my child and use the funny voices I use to use when I would read it aloud to myself! :)

[Stan Paulsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a child and still remember its impact on me. This is one of only a few of my childhood books that I still own. A great book about individuality! Perhaps this explains why I'm so... different. =:) I don't have a generic house in a generic neighborhood that I've had to paint purple, but I do have a purple front door on my house!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My childhood favorite, one of Demetrius' favorites... gee, I wonder why?
Purple has always been my favorite color, plus this book has such a great message about individuality. I'm not sure I got the message when I was younger, but the purple paint surely caught my interest and I was bound and determined to have a purple house of my own someday. So far I have settled for a purple couch.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, fond memories of childhood.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My siblings and I found this book at our grandma's house, and we read it many times. I still think of Mr. Pine when I see cookie-cutter houses in subdivisions!

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is copywriter in 1965, and there are several of Mr. Pine's adventures that I remember from reading them to my brothers. The pictures are mostly line drawing in black and purple. Mr. Pine lived on Vine Street in a little white house. He realizes that all of the 50 houses, all in a line on Vine Street, are all painted white. How is he supposed to find his house?
He begins to think of things that he can do to find his house from among the others. The only problem is that all of his neighbors like what he does so much, they copy him, and all of the houses look the same again.
So....he finds a plan that he thinks will work this time, after so many tries. It works!

[Peter J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revisited this while searching for a children's book for the child of a friend. It was my absolute favorite as a child - the type you requested bedtime after bedtime. Not only was the book exactly as I remembered, I was shocked to learn it was one of several books starring Mr. Pine. I don't recall any of the others; in my mind Mr. Pine was the star of solo story not an ongoing hero like Paddington. I can't wait to find the others and see what else happened.

[Janet Purser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of my favorite childhood picture books. I still think about it as an adult when I see a neighborhood filled with houses that look too much alike. When we built our house, we were planning to choose tan brick but when the house next to us chose tan and the one across the street, we chose a red brick instead. Thank you Mr. Pine. If you want to encourage individuality, this is a good book for you.

[Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minus one star for having a full page “Introduction” from a reading “specialist” to tell us how to read the book. Minus one star for Mr. Pine falling twice from a two story ladder (I know of someone who is suffering horribly from such a fall.)

Aside from those two negatives, this is a classic that I remember enjoying as a child and children will enjoy too.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever! I have read this book a thousand times and it never gets old. It is full of colourful characters and is a real page turner. You will want to read the entire book in one sitting - guaranteed!

[Checkthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great classic from 1965!! This is the book that inspired the reprint-publisher called "Purple House Press." They specialize in choosing out-of-print children's classics and bringing them back to life. You should definitely look up their web site.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a juvenile reader book in our library system. It is a good book to teach young ones to read.
It reminds me of the "Dick and Jane" books I was raised on.
Okay book.

[Michael Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever read as a Kindergarten assignment.

[Cathy aka The Attached Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 5-year-old as he learned about the /p/ sound. :) We both really enjoyed this book.

[Stephanie Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a read aloud to my class. Quick read and entertaining for my 2nd and 3rd graders.

[Stuart Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was learning to read.

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a guy who just wants to establish a unique identity, dammit.

[Sys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book!!

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a very silly book with lots of mischief and tomfoolery.

Possible red flags: nonsense; characters in peril.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books as a child. Highly recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginning reader.

[Carey Dewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books!

[Hanny C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favorite book. It made quite the impression on me and although I haven't read this one in quite some time, I think about it often.

[Krissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story for early readers. Mr. Pine just wanted to be a little different...

[Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great early reader for a 7-9 year old beginner reader!

[Becky haxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite children's book.