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)

Despite her mother's reminder that "navy blue is what you always have," Gabby begs her tailor grandfather to make her a beautiful purple fall coat.