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Purple Little Bird
Purple Little Bird lives in a very purple He has a purple little house and a purple little garden. But somehow, it's just not quite perfect. So Purple Little Bird sets off to find the perfect place for him—and discovers it in a most unexpected way.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2011
About the author
Greg Foley
16 books42 followersAward-winning author-illustrator Greg Foley grew up in Austin, Texas, and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. He now designs and creative-directs Visionaire, V Magazine, VMAN, VFiles and lives and works in Austin, TX and Greenwich Village, NY.
For more information visit https://www.gregfoley.co/
For more information visit https://www.gregfoley.co/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
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February 25, 2013Finding the perfect purple place is a colorful surprise.
-Monty K.-
-Monty K.-
September 2, 2021
"Purple little Bird loved everything purple"
Me too 💜💜
lovely story,
Love Purple and Birds 💜🐦💜
02.09.2021
Me too 💜💜
lovely story,
Love Purple and Birds 💜🐦💜
02.09.2021
March 17, 2021
Purple StoryTime
June 30, 2014
This is a great little book that children really enjoy. This book goes over different animals, colors, and environments. This book is perfect for science lessons on habitats. It would be great to have children talk about their own homes/habitat/environment and then have them draw pictures of their own homes and write a few sentences describing their home and why it is a good "habitat".
August 17, 2019
purple bird has purple everything. he wants to find the perfect place... goes all over to other places and we see yellow this and green this and blue that, and then they lead him back home to his "perfect" place. cute story. animals, colors, liking what you have. might be good for preschool storytime?
June 13, 2019
Purple Little Bird loves the purple color. He paints everything in purple, but he still thinks something is not right. He explores to find the perfect place, resulting in painting his place in assorted colors rather than one color of purple.
I loved the simple and colorful illustrations that depict the characters and habitats distinctively. However, the message of the book was confusing to me. One possible message might be the perspectives on the “perfect” place. For instance, Brown Bear thought his cave was perfect because it was warm and cozy. However, of course, the place was not perfect for Purple Little Bird. The habitats of Gray Goat, Yellow Camel, and Blue Frog were perfect for each animal, but not for Purple Little Bird. I expected that Purple Little Bird would think that his house was perfect for him because it was decorated with his favorite color, purple. However, he thought the house was much too purple and decided to paint the house in various colors. The last part of Purple Little Bird changing the colors of the house was the part I lost. I thought that keeping one’s uniqueness and identity would be encouraged. In a good way I tried to understand this story that instead of having drastic perspectives or preferences on something, in this case, the color of purple, Purple Little Bird now has diverse perspectives and tastes of colors. Another message can be that there is no such thing as a "perfect" place to all. We simply have to enjoy where we are and what we are given.
I loved the simple and colorful illustrations that depict the characters and habitats distinctively. However, the message of the book was confusing to me. One possible message might be the perspectives on the “perfect” place. For instance, Brown Bear thought his cave was perfect because it was warm and cozy. However, of course, the place was not perfect for Purple Little Bird. The habitats of Gray Goat, Yellow Camel, and Blue Frog were perfect for each animal, but not for Purple Little Bird. I expected that Purple Little Bird would think that his house was perfect for him because it was decorated with his favorite color, purple. However, he thought the house was much too purple and decided to paint the house in various colors. The last part of Purple Little Bird changing the colors of the house was the part I lost. I thought that keeping one’s uniqueness and identity would be encouraged. In a good way I tried to understand this story that instead of having drastic perspectives or preferences on something, in this case, the color of purple, Purple Little Bird now has diverse perspectives and tastes of colors. Another message can be that there is no such thing as a "perfect" place to all. We simply have to enjoy where we are and what we are given.
June 25, 2018
Purple Little Bird lives in a purple little house he's always trying to improve but he can't get it perfect. In frustration, he sets out to find a perfect house.
An ok perfectionist read for little ones. The moral of the story seems to be that sometimes you need to take a step away to see clearly. (Though for a while it seems to be that Purple Little Bird is just never happy with any house. Yikes!) The animals and their different homes are cute. Purple Little Bird may be a little too hard to please for my taste, to the extent I found it hard to believe he'd be happy with the changes in his own house he decides are needed. Read it for kids learning their colors and animal fans, not for teaching kids to be satisfied or being a little less perfectionistic.
An ok perfectionist read for little ones. The moral of the story seems to be that sometimes you need to take a step away to see clearly. (Though for a while it seems to be that Purple Little Bird is just never happy with any house. Yikes!) The animals and their different homes are cute. Purple Little Bird may be a little too hard to please for my taste, to the extent I found it hard to believe he'd be happy with the changes in his own house he decides are needed. Read it for kids learning their colors and animal fans, not for teaching kids to be satisfied or being a little less perfectionistic.
May 2, 2023
Purple Little Bird is on a mission to make his house perfect. But the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. As he takes a colorful journey to his friends’ houses, he learns that the shade of friendship is the brightest color of all. Pick up this purplicious picture book if you get a chance – hue won’t regret it!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!
March 1, 2025
This book could be a good way to highlight colors as each animal has a designated color. Purple little bird has purple everything (think that Eiffel 65 song “Blue” but with purple). One day little bird doesn’t like his purple house and goes in search of something better. He ends up at home with a new perspective that makes things better. Nice story
June 18, 2025
A little bird gets sick of its perfectly purple house for some reason and travels the globe to experience all the other colorful, environmental options, only to discover that its home is the best place to live... once the other animals help add their colors to the house. Harrumph. I thought the purple house looked better before. XD
June 24, 2017
A cute book with a good message--seeing the world changes your perspective.
Bird
Home
Bird
Home
November 3, 2017
I liked this book but I thought the purple house was already perfect
March 27, 2019
Did not work as well I thought it would for storytime.
July 3, 2019
Find a new home. B
August 23, 2021
A cute story with cute art and a good message
September 30, 2021
This is a sweet little book about perpective changing the way we view the world (among other things).
I don’t love the super loose color style, but all around a nice peaceful read.
I don’t love the super loose color style, but all around a nice peaceful read.
February 11, 2025
Very cute, but the house doesn't even use all the colors in the end?!?!
April 10, 2025
Messing up the royal order of adjectives made me feel like I was going to have a stroke. 😂 On the other hand, my daughter says: "Four thumbs up! I really like it. I wish we had that book."
July 28, 2025
I liked his purple house but understand everyone needs a change here and there!
February 21, 2017
Foley, Greg. Purple Little Bird. New York: HarperCollins, 2011
Illustrated by Greg Foley
Recommended for Ages 4-7
This story is about a little purple bird that so loves the color purple that everything in its home and garden is purple. Although Purple Little Bird works very hard to make its home perfect, it soon realizes that there is something amiss and ventures out to find what he thinks is the perfect place. Purple Little Bird encounters various animals on its quest, each with its own unique color, in its own habitat, and quite content with their home. Purple Little Bird acknowledges the beauty of each home, but still feels that there is something missing.
The color purple is predominant in this picture book. I personally find the color drab and boring and not quite suitable for children of this age group. In some cultures the color purple means royalty, whereas in other cultures it is the color of mourning. Admittedly, the color purple matches the mood and theme of the story. A bright color would definitely be a mismatch for the tone and message.
The illustrations do “extend” and reinforce the meaning of the story. The message is clear on the title page where Purple Little Bird has a sad expression that rarely changes throughout the story. The story is great for teaching about colors and concepts such as darkness and brightness. The illustrator uses a variety of lines in the story to great effect. The vertical lines and horizontal lines on the double pages of frog’s habitat signify peacefulness and contentment, even though Purple Little Bird finds it too damp.
I love the message of the story, and children through careful questioning can identify that message by examining the multi-colored perfect place on the penultimate double page, and the picture of what appears to be the world on the last page.
Illustrated by Greg Foley
Recommended for Ages 4-7
This story is about a little purple bird that so loves the color purple that everything in its home and garden is purple. Although Purple Little Bird works very hard to make its home perfect, it soon realizes that there is something amiss and ventures out to find what he thinks is the perfect place. Purple Little Bird encounters various animals on its quest, each with its own unique color, in its own habitat, and quite content with their home. Purple Little Bird acknowledges the beauty of each home, but still feels that there is something missing.
The color purple is predominant in this picture book. I personally find the color drab and boring and not quite suitable for children of this age group. In some cultures the color purple means royalty, whereas in other cultures it is the color of mourning. Admittedly, the color purple matches the mood and theme of the story. A bright color would definitely be a mismatch for the tone and message.
The illustrations do “extend” and reinforce the meaning of the story. The message is clear on the title page where Purple Little Bird has a sad expression that rarely changes throughout the story. The story is great for teaching about colors and concepts such as darkness and brightness. The illustrator uses a variety of lines in the story to great effect. The vertical lines and horizontal lines on the double pages of frog’s habitat signify peacefulness and contentment, even though Purple Little Bird finds it too damp.
I love the message of the story, and children through careful questioning can identify that message by examining the multi-colored perfect place on the penultimate double page, and the picture of what appears to be the world on the last page.
November 7, 2016
Goodreads #7
Summary: Purple Little Bird liked everything purple and he tried to make everything in his house purple and perfect. However, he feels as if something is missing. He walks around to different places and asks if he can live with them, thinking it will be perfect. He tries a brown bear's cave which is warm, but it is too dark. He tries a gray goat's cliff which is bright and sunny, but it is too windy. At the end, he sees possums and asks them what the perfect place is. They lead him to his own house. He realizes now that his house has just what he is looking for, but the color is too much. His resolution is to paint it. So, he paints his house all the colors of the animals' places that he visited because each one had its own unique quality that he liked and was looking for in a house.
Theme: I would say the theme for this book is adjustment and adaptation. Little Purple Bird went to a bunch of different homes of animals and liked what he saw. However, for every advantage of the house, there was a disadvantage. Nothing was "perfect" until he was taken back to his house. Then, he realized that his house was too purple and he wanted to incorporate a little bit of everything he saw in other people's houses. He adjusted himself and adapted other ideas. He kept an open mind.
Personal Response: This book was simple and cute. It reminded me of the "It's Not Easy Being a Bunny" by Dr. Seuss. In that book, the rabbit doesn't fit in with the other rabbits, so he goes off and tries to blend into other animals' lives. However, he ends up going back home and realizing his place in the world. The books are a little different in goals, but they take similar paths to get to the end.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for a 3-6 year old because it focuses on colors, which children learn at that age. The sentence structure and wording is also simple and easy to understand. The pictures are very simple and clean. They look like a black crayon drew the shapes of the characters and settings and a watercolor paint or marker colored it in, going outside the lines. It also shows that even if a person likes one color, there can be other colors that he or she may use and end up liking. It also shows that nothing is ever perfect and will always have trade offs.
Summary: Purple Little Bird liked everything purple and he tried to make everything in his house purple and perfect. However, he feels as if something is missing. He walks around to different places and asks if he can live with them, thinking it will be perfect. He tries a brown bear's cave which is warm, but it is too dark. He tries a gray goat's cliff which is bright and sunny, but it is too windy. At the end, he sees possums and asks them what the perfect place is. They lead him to his own house. He realizes now that his house has just what he is looking for, but the color is too much. His resolution is to paint it. So, he paints his house all the colors of the animals' places that he visited because each one had its own unique quality that he liked and was looking for in a house.
Theme: I would say the theme for this book is adjustment and adaptation. Little Purple Bird went to a bunch of different homes of animals and liked what he saw. However, for every advantage of the house, there was a disadvantage. Nothing was "perfect" until he was taken back to his house. Then, he realized that his house was too purple and he wanted to incorporate a little bit of everything he saw in other people's houses. He adjusted himself and adapted other ideas. He kept an open mind.
Personal Response: This book was simple and cute. It reminded me of the "It's Not Easy Being a Bunny" by Dr. Seuss. In that book, the rabbit doesn't fit in with the other rabbits, so he goes off and tries to blend into other animals' lives. However, he ends up going back home and realizing his place in the world. The books are a little different in goals, but they take similar paths to get to the end.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for a 3-6 year old because it focuses on colors, which children learn at that age. The sentence structure and wording is also simple and easy to understand. The pictures are very simple and clean. They look like a black crayon drew the shapes of the characters and settings and a watercolor paint or marker colored it in, going outside the lines. It also shows that even if a person likes one color, there can be other colors that he or she may use and end up liking. It also shows that nothing is ever perfect and will always have trade offs.
February 13, 2017
A little purple bird sets out to find a new home and encounters many animals of different colors. Will he ever find a new home? Simple and color focused with a nice message. Toddler and up.
October 7, 2011
Who would have thought purple could be such an interesting and perfect color. Unfortunately, purple little bird becomes restless with it and sets off to explore the world to find something more perfect than his purple life. What he finds are many things along the way but they just do not seem right. This is a cute book about colors and even climates while finding that perfect fit. There are many animals in their habitats that little bird meets along the way. The sweet and adorable pictures are nicely illustrated and the short verses would make for a wonderful read-aloud. With such a variety of animals you could even do some fun character voices I'm sure will have the kids giggling.
April 18, 2012
I started out liking it... and I could still see myself using it for a toddler storytime on colors... I just didn't like the ending. Purple Little Bird thinks that something is not quite right about his purple house, so he goes in search of the perfect home. Of course, he ends up back at his house... only he figures out what is not quite right: his house is TOO PURPLE! The last spread shows the bird and new friends painting the house different colors. Well, in MY opinion, there is no such thing as "too much" purple!!! Geesh! Anyways, I'm a little harsh in this review... but I still LOVE Greg Foley! (I just like his other books better...)
December 18, 2012
Purple little bird just can't get his house to feel right, no matter how hard he tries. He makes a Goldilocks-type trip, and meets many friends, but he can't find a place that is just right. His new friends help him realize that his old home was just right -- it just needed some more colors! Nothing super-amazing about the plot here, but it's pretty well done, and there are lots of colors!
Crayon-style artwork and bright colors make this book feel fun and fresh.
This story would work for a color-themed story time for toddlers.
Crayon-style artwork and bright colors make this book feel fun and fresh.
This story would work for a color-themed story time for toddlers.
November 15, 2011
Purple Little Bird has a close to perfect purple house . . . but something's not quite right. So he sets out to find the perfect place. He encounters various animals of various colors along the way, and while each has something special, none is quite suited for Purple Little Bird. Finally, the possums return him to his own house, and together change it into various colors so that it becomes perfect. A perfect preschool book (3 1/2 stars).
June 30, 2011
Greg Foley's simple and sweet illustrations coupled with prose that is easy for children to relate to makes for a happy little world for Purple Little Bird. This quest for the perfect place will teach young readers about color, weather, and other sensory words. The story also speaks to the importance of friendship and diversity. Another excellent story from this award winning author!
July 1, 2011
There's no place like home. And if that's not quite right either, a coat of paint can't hurt.
That pretty much sums up this little story about a very dissatisfied bird. The story was okay, the illustrations were adorable and the lesson in colors and climates will entertain toddlers. Otherwise, meh.
That pretty much sums up this little story about a very dissatisfied bird. The story was okay, the illustrations were adorable and the lesson in colors and climates will entertain toddlers. Otherwise, meh.
July 8, 2011
Great art, though nothing to inspire you. Good story with an essential message of going out in the world and incorporating the things you learn into your life to make it richer. Not a great ELL book, but the repetition in here is good for readers with a decent vocabulary but still in the picture book stage.
November 15, 2011
Believe it or not, it's hard to find a "good" storytime book about colors. It's shocking, because doesn't it seem that every book in the world for kids is about colors and numbers?
Yes, but that doesn't mean that they're good, or anything beyond "Apples are Red."
This one has nice repetition, nice colors, and resolves in a simple, satisfying way.
Yes, but that doesn't mean that they're good, or anything beyond "Apples are Red."
This one has nice repetition, nice colors, and resolves in a simple, satisfying way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews