THE PURPLE COAT

Author: Amy Hest

Illustrator: Amy Schwartz

Publisher: Four Winds Press

Narrated by: Jack Gilford

Description: Every year Grampa makes Gabrielle a navy blue coat, but this year she wants something new. Inspired by THE PURPLE COAT, LeVar visits New York City's garment district and has a coat made specially for him. Viewers also visit the Fashion Institute of Technology where they explore the fascinating world of design.

Activity Suggestion: Draw a life-size coat on cardboard. Ask the children to bring a swatch of their favorite material and glue it on the cardboard coat. Have the class invent a story about the person who would wear this coat. Each student could design a miniature version of a coat they'd like and then describe it in a class fashion show.

For activity ideas beyond what is listed, contact Canadian Learning CompanyŽ for information about obtaining a teacher's guide. Call 1-800-267-2977.

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