Gabrielle wants her tailor grandfather to make her a coat that's purple instead of boring navy blue and, after a brief discussion, the two of them reach a compromise. Gabrielle's determination and energy, subtly tempered with caution, is skillfully depicted in both the text and the illustrations. Schwartz's distinctive pencil and watercolor illustrations show fine detail, right down to Gabrielle's chronically sagging knee socks and misbuttoned sweater. (Ages 4-8)

Every year, in the fall, Gabrielle gets a new coat. And every year her coat looks the same -- navy blue with two rows of buttons and a half belt in the back. But this year Gabrielle wants something different -- a purple coat.
"Purple?" Mama laughs. But Gabrielle is quite serious.
Alone with Grampa in his cozy tailor shop, Gabrielle does some fast talking. Still, even Grampa is dubious. His solution makes The Purple Coat a very special book, just right for every child who has ever wanted to try something different.