Are you wearing a fancy hat this weekend for Derby? Here are some of my favorite picture books about hats!
Old Hat by Emily Gravett (2017). When Harbet wears his favorite comfy hat, everyone makes fun of him, calling “Old hat! Old hat!” So Harbet decides to get with the times. But no matter what new hat he tries, he can’t seem to stay ahead of the trends. As soon as he gets a new hat, it’s already old! When Harbet decides to go his own way, he’ll discover that it’s much better to stop following everyone else.
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won (2014). Elephant wakes up grumpy (happens to all of us sometimes), but there’s a surprise at his door. A box of colorful hats cheers him up immediately and he goes to show his friends. As he finds his friends, he discovers that they are also feeling grumpy. Can colorful hats save the day? I love the brightly colored illustrations and the spirit of teamwork in this cheerful picture book.
A Hat for Minerva Louise by Janet Morgan Stoeke (1994). I know after our long winter, the last thing you want to think about is bundling up, but on this snowy day the chicken Minerva Louise is exploring the barnyard, looking for something to keep her warm. But this silly chicken makes so many mistakes! That’s not a scarf, it’s a garden hose! That’s not a hat, it’s a flower pot! Minerva Louise’s story will keep children giggling and if they like this one, we have more books about Minerva Louise and they’re all great.
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen (2012). Jon Klassen has written and illustrated several hat stories and they are all wonderful, but this one is my favorite. This spunky little fish has stolen a hat and he thinks he’s gotten away with it. But has he? The juxtaposition between the fish’s narrative and the illustrations that show more than the fish knows will have kids laughing and anticipating what will happen next. This is one of my all-time favorites as an elementary-school readaloud. And once you read this one, you’ll want to check out more of Jon Klassen’s hat books.
So, put on YOUR fanciest hat and come down to the library to check out books about hats!
— Abby Johnson, Collection Development Leader
