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I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

4.35 of 5 stars 4.35 · rating details · 7,259 ratings · 1,105 reviews

A bear almost gives up his search for his missing hat until he remembers something important.

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by Candlewick Press

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2012 Mock Caldecott

2nd out of 82 books — 166 voters

Red Dot 2013: Early Readers: LONG LIST

1st out of 39 books — 28 voters

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Oct 14, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sandra Boynton fans

Shelves: juvenile, candlewick, 2011-favorites, illustrated, read-2011, 2011-publication

What's a bear to do when he's misplaced his hat? He has to ask all the other animals he meets whether they've seen it, of course!

This charming picture book caught my eye immediately because of the humorous illustration on the cover, and I'm delighted to say that the contents are just as endearing. This story about a well-mannered bear on a quest to find his missing hat is told in simple language, and shares the same sort of gentle mischief that you might find in Sandra Boynton's books for toddle...more

30 likes · like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Jeanette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-fiction, for-the-munchkins

A bare-bones account of a bear who needs a Bayer because he can't bear to go bareheaded, even though his favorite hat barely even covers the tippy-top of his big bear head.

Raise your hand if you think the protagonist looks more like a giant prairie dog. Or maybe even an otter. With bad posture.

If I were any kind of an artist, I'd do a spoof of this. I'd make it an anti-diet book and call it I Want My Fat Back:
"I lost my fat. I miss it. I want it back. Have you seen my fat? What will I do if I...more

19 likes · like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Simeon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comedy

I love how the description for I Want My Hat Back is longer than the book. Nevertheless, this is one of the funniest children's picture books ever. I laughed too and my age is in like double digits technically.

13 likes · like · see review

Dec 02, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: humor, lost-and-found, ink, digital-illustration, elem

My 10yo and I picked up this book at our local bookstore, and by the 3rd page spontaneously broke out in a readers-theater performance because it was too good not to read aloud, and read aloud together. Fresh giggles at the rabbit page & the armadillo page especially!

Can't help but love the chutzpah of the ending.

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2012 Destinee Sutton rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books, funny

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

16 likes · like · see review

Jun 06, 2012 Eden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Um. Best. Book. Ever.

Okay, maybe not the best book ever. (I’m not ready to assign that title to any one book yet.) But holy eff, I’m seriously thinking about buying this one.

Similar to The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog in that only dialogue occurs, I Want My Hat Back differs in the fact that conversations comprise the plot line—and that there is a distinct lack of emotion (or change at all, really) in the simple but beautiful Chinese brush drawings of the animals. Somehow, this serves to accentuate th...more

6 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2012 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-0-12, fiction, humor, picture-books, easy-reader, i-want-to-own, k_5-storytime-prep, preschool-storytime-prep, preschool-storytime-read

Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha!!!! Fab. U. Lous. Definitely not a preschool storytime read. I think school-age would find it hilarious, as would most adults. A good example of simplicity still being able to work in telling a story and in being absolutely funny. Seriously--I think I started to cry from laughing.

I'd love to read this aloud with another person for an audience. It would be brillian. The book is brilliant. I recommend to all of my friends. You may not find it brilliant, for which I'm...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 01, 2012 Joanna Marple rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bear approaches Snake, and then goes on to ask all the woodland animals he meets, if they have seen his lost hat. I chuckled from page one, as I believe kids will too, at all the silly replies and excuses the animals give for not knowing where Bear’s hat is. An adorably illustrated, big bear is looking for his hat and he is intent on repeating his same question to all he meets, to see if they have seen it. “No,” says a frog. “I have not seen any hats around here.” “What is a hat?” replies a poss...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Maureen Milton rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-readers, primaries, juniors

I was already to dismiss this spare picture book as adult humor packaged for hip parents with ironic offspring. I read it myself. My 10- and 13-year-olds read it and laughed. I re-read it. Okay, this is pretty darn visually funny, but how will it go over with the Primaries?

A staring bear cannot find his hat and so politely surveys his woodland companions, even helping a turtle atop a rock he's been attempting to climb all day. When the bear despairs of ever seeing his hat, another creature asks...more

6 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2012 Danielle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-favorites, books-i-own, childrens, classics, favorite-authors, favorites, for-review, turkeybird, littlebug

All this poor bear wants is his most prized possession back, his hat. For some reason the animals in the forest have no idea where it’s gone to, though they have other alternatives he’s not at all interested in. When the bear discovers just who’s deceived him they may want to watch out because the bear will get his hat back.

Now, some of you may be wondering how exactly the storyboard above (see my review site for the actual storyboard of my two kiddos) with Littlebug & Turkeybird and the des...more All this poor bear wants is his most prized possession back, his hat. For some reason the animals in the forest have no idea where it’s gone to, though they have other alternatives he’s not at all interested in. When the bear discovers just who’s deceived him they may want to watch out because the bear will get his hat back.

Now, some of you may be wondering how exactly the storyboard above (see my review site for the actual storyboard of my two kiddos) with Littlebug & Turkeybird and the description for I Want My Hat Back would possibly appeal to young readers. First of all, it absolutely appeals to kiddos. When I initially showed it to Littlebug & Turkeybird they couldn’t get enough of this poor bear who was constantly on the lookout for his hat. Most kiddos have a treasure of some sort they can relate this to, be it a hat or a stuffed animal or toy, there’s almost always something they can’t do without. So on that level they can completely relate, especially when it comes to the obsession of retrieving the object.

Where the story gets hilarious and has both adults & kiddos cracking up is when the bear discovers the thief. Obviously this is entirely humorous and in no way did I feel like the book was promoting violence, it was just as my kiddos put it “silly.” Which is why we all decided it might be fun to reenact our version of I Want My Hat Back with Littlebug playing the part of the bear and Turkeybird as the rabbit thief. We had a blast and now the kiddos can’t wait to read the book whenever we get a spare moment, which I consider a huge success.

Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back is destined to be a Classic among the finest in Children’s Literature. His illustrations are entirely unique and unbelievably gorgeous. In a world of books with neon colors and brightly animated characters, Klassen’s work shows there is still more to be discovered within the world of children’s picture books. I Want My Hat Back is a darkly humorous book that our family reads almost daily since it’s arrival in our home and it’s a book I’d highly encourage picking up once it’s released in September!

Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my review site, There's A Book.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2012 Claudia Piña rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE!

Recommended to Claudia by: tumblr

Shelves: favorites, picture-book, reviewed, humour, 5-star

Me había encantado este libro con sus ilustraciones y su sentido del humor desde que vi las imágenes rondando por la interné. Ahora que lo tengo en mis manos puedo decir que es mil veces mas bonito. Quisiera poder ponerle mas de cinco estrellas.

Este fin de semana se lo mostré a personas de todas las edades y todos lo amaron. Es sencillo y divertido, tiene ilustraciones muy lindas y es perfecto para leeérselo a cualquiera.

Amo mi libro <3

2 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2012 Kelly Maybedog Hawkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: how-picture-book

I knew just looking at the cover of the book that I would love it. It's so matter of fact and the bear has such a deadpan look on his face that I just knew it was going to be good. For the first couple of pages I was worried that maybe I was wrong but as soon as I saw the rabbit I was sold.

I'm not really sure this is much of a kids' book though. This kind of dry humor with a dark ending is very adult and the minimal wording and simplistic pictures are perfect. It's is totally my kind of humor a...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 10, 2011 Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-book, 2011-clc, humor, socal-author, socal-illustrator, 2011-nerdies, 2012-alayma

I read this as an advance copy and today the finished copy. Love it even more the second time around.

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 20, 2011 Colby Sharp rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-book, mr-schu-and-mr-jonker-s-11-top-20

Top 5 picture book for me this year.

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was awesome

1 like · like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 babyhippoface rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites, humor, kids-picture-books

Every once in a while I come across a new picture book that I love so much that I carry it around with me and make random people read it. I Want My Hat Back is one of those books.

Oh my word, this book is hilarious. Seriously. And I believe it's all because of Jon Klassen's style. I knew Klassen's name before, not really for the books he's illustrated (Cats' Night Out, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and more) but for his one-page graphic story in the collection of funny, creepy, disgus...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Sarah Sammis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, read-in-2012, read-in-2011, review-written-but-not-posted

Although I'd heard of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, it took the numerous parodies that were popping up across the internet to get me to read it. The one that finally did it was The Doctor Wants His Fez Back.

I Want My Hat Back is, in itself a parody of the children's book which takes a character to meet all the friends in the quest for something. In this case, the Bear is looking for his hat. He interviews each character in the book until he finds his hat.

How he gets his hat back, though, is...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children

Shelves: 2012, childrens

This is a bizarre, though subtly humorous story. The interaction and dialogue between the animals is fairly simple and reminiscent of an Elephant and Piggie story, but it's more wry and sarcastic.

We had fun taking turns reading each character's dialogue, but it wasn't until the end that I really saw the snarky wit of the story. I could easily see this book being preferred more by adults than children and now that I've read it again, I think it's a book that is even better the second time around...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 04, 2012 Kelly Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: charlie

I love this book! It was a Christmas book from my In-laws to my 2.5 year old. The last page totally went over his head. Good stuff.

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 stillme rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: picture-books, awards

As a children's librarian, I usually finish a picture book and try to figure who would best like to read it next. This one, however, I immediately returned to the first page and read again - twice. (Fortunately, my four year old on my lap felt the same way about it). The ending had me laughing out loud, even when I knew it was coming. Although the bear's expression hardly changes (and not at all for the first half), the writing is expressive enough that it seems like his face is moving. A great...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 08, 2013 L13_Allison Safran rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, picture-books

“I Want My Hat Back” by Jon Klassen, published in 2011, is an award winning book that won the “Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award”.

The story is about a bear that has lost his hat. The bear meets all types of forest creatures including a fox, a frog, a rabbit, a turtle, a snake, a possum, and a deer. The bear is on the hunt for his precious hat. He searches throughout the entire forest for his hat, asking all of the animals if they know where it is. About half of the way through the story,...more “I Want My Hat Back” by Jon Klassen, published in 2011, is an award winning book that won the “Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award”.

The story is about a bear that has lost his hat. The bear meets all types of forest creatures including a fox, a frog, a rabbit, a turtle, a snake, a possum, and a deer. The bear is on the hunt for his precious hat. He searches throughout the entire forest for his hat, asking all of the animals if they know where it is. About half of the way through the story, the bear remembers that he does know where his hat is! Suddenly, he remembers that he saw it earlier on rabbit’s head! The moment when bear confronts rabbit is very interesting because there is no text on the page, and the reader is just left looking at the animals, which are staring at each other. The reader is forced to interpret the animal’s feelings and thoughts. The end of the story is very interesting because the author does not reveal what happened to the rabbit! The reader turns the page and suddenly, the bear is alone and he is wearing the hat. In my opinion, I think the bear let the rabbit go! However, students may think that the rabbit that eaten by the angry animal.

The story is unique because it the letters in the book are printed in different colors, according to the animal that is speaking. For example, when the bear is speaking, the letters are brown. When the frog is speaking, the text is green. When the snake is speaking, the text is light brown. This is helpful for students to differentiate between the different characters, and begin to learn the colors of animals.

The illustrations are very unique in this book. The colors are dull, but they all seem very natural. The colors seem as if you could really discover them in nature! The bear has the same stance in the first seven pages. I find that interesting because there is a lot emotion and happenings without the pictures necessarily moving very much.

The book has talking animals that take on the personalities of humans, making the story a fantasy. I would use this book with K-2 students, because the text is not very challenging. However, the pictures are interesting and the plot is funny!

(less)

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Nov 23, 2011 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it 5 of 5 stars

A bear has lost his hat. He questions animal passersby about his hat. He suddenly remember that the rabbit is wearing his hat. The end of the story leaves readers with some questions about how the hat was returned.

“Have you seen my hat?

No. I haven’t seen your hat.

OK. Thank you anyway.

Have you seen my hat?

No. I have not seen any hats around here.

OK. Thank you anyway.”

Much in little. Simple text. Simple illustrations. Seems to reflect the true nature of bears somehow.

Bear can’t find his hat. He qu...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2013 Mel Renfro rated it 3 of 5 stars

I honestly don't know what to think about this, really; I'm torn. While I enjoy the simplicity of the writing style for the purpose of being easily tackled by beginning readers, it is almost rudimentary, and I do not feel the target audience for this story deserves to be condescended so much. Yes, I know it's supposed to be cute, but there's nothing in it that sparks a broader thought pattern beyond a simple "yes and no" scenario. With everything in the world being handed to and dictated at our...more I honestly don't know what to think about this, really; I'm torn. While I enjoy the simplicity of the writing style for the purpose of being easily tackled by beginning readers, it is almost rudimentary, and I do not feel the target audience for this story deserves to be condescended so much. Yes, I know it's supposed to be cute, but there's nothing in it that sparks a broader thought pattern beyond a simple "yes and no" scenario. With everything in the world being handed to and dictated at our children anymore, I think a key factor to try and teach them (using any facet, mind you; a book, for example) on a day to day basis is abstract thought. But it seems as though this book in every pure element of its' composition, was designated to be the exact polar opposite of that. In truth, I found it dry, unimaginative, drab (even in color tone); what's being hailed as "off-beat humor" by others, I am viewing as lacking depth and complexity. As I understand it, the author seems to've gone this route to be different, and I can appreciate that, but it has knocked too many holes into the standing of the story for me to enjoy. I am not sure I get the fascination with this story by everyone.

The biggest thing that struck me was was the punctuation error in the exchange with the rabbit (which was mirrored in the ending). I believe it read: "No. Why would you ask me...". What was clearly a question and could not have even been read without the inflection denoting it as such, became a phrase. It threw me off so badly, especially since it had won awards! Another thing I wasn't too sure about was that I did not think that the ending was age-appropriate to the content. The bear gobbled the rabbit up (one can presume) for having stolen his hat and lied about it. Also, the politeness of the bear does not negate the lies that both he, and the rabbit who stole his hat, told. There are also other subtle psychological angles in this book that I do not really appreciate introducing to my son, such as indifference, depression, violent retort/vengefulness and hopelessness in the face of an issue. These are the years we are supposed to teach them better things to pave their road to their own lives with and this book does not have any of that.

I will say this, though-- my husband and I do enjoy acting it out for my son. This removes the elements that I do not agree with, such as the tawny coloring, the missed question mark, and the element of negative body language and actions; plus, it adds spark and liveliness to the characters that a young child can appreciate. Essentially (if you find the same things wrong with it I do), treat it as a script and have a partner go through it with you, and you will be better pleased!(less)

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Apr 18, 2013 LH Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, animals, funny, perfect, picture-books

There are moments when I am dazzled by the wonder of picture books. It happened with Martha and the Bunny Brothers by Clara Vulliamy and it has happened here again. Klassen's masterful story is perfection. And I love it so.

It is simple, precise, elegant. A bear has lost his hat. He would like it back. He goes out on a quest to retrieve his hat.

Drawn with an intense stillness and coloured in a subtle, woodland palette, the book is a delight. The bear himself is reminiscent of those paintings wher...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 03, 2013 Julia Jasztal rated it 2 of 5 stars

Mommy's review from 11/20/11 -

I'm not sure what the huge fascination with books with hardly any words is all about but I have a feeling I'll never be let in on that particular secret. Is it an aversion to words? Do people not like words that much anymore? I mean, there are art museums people can visit to see artwork with no words if they so chose. Why take the words out of books? I don't get it....
So, the bear lost his hat. He asks the other animals if they've seen it. They all say no. Once alo...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-aloud-children-s

Perfect picture books like this one deserve to be praised. I Want My Hat Back, is full of wonderful illustrations, great humor, and even solid psychology.

This mild mannered bear only wants his hat back, and his inquisition of the resident forest animals is peaceful, polite, and patient – that is, until he realizes he’s been lied to. Klassen does such a great job using illustrative techniques and psychology to assure you of the guilty party. In fact, I’m certain that young readers will know “who...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Josiah rated it 1 of 5 stars

A decidedly offbeat book, I Want My Hat Back encourages readers to pay careful attention to both the story being told and its accompanying illustrations. A bear has lost his prized hat and wants it back, and if one watches closely the drawings depicting what is happening as the story moves forward, there's a good chance of figuring out the mystery of where the bear's hat has gone before even he realizes the truth. It's hard to lose one's favorite possession and have to face the fact that one mi...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Samantha Duncan rated it 3 of 5 stars

1. Genre: Controlled Vocabulary

2. This story follows a bear who's lost his hat. He goes around asking all different types of animals he meets if they have seen his hat. After searching for quote some time, the bear realizes that he remembers seeing his hat on the rabbit. He goes back to the rabbit and eat it and gets his hat back.

3. (A) Area for comment: accuracy
(B) I liked this book for its illustrations and the context behind the storyline, but I felt the accuracy of the book was a little off...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Rebecca Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

1.) Genre- Controlled Vocabulary (Geisel Award)

2.) Summary- Bear has lost his hat so he asks all the woodland creatures if they have seen it. No one has, but then bear remembers where (or perhaps on whom) he has seen it.

3.)a.) Area of focus- Language and word choice

3.)b.) This book contains straight forward and easy to read language. Klassen uses repetitive words and different colored text to help readers through the story.

3.)c.) Though this book contains few words, it does an excellent job of t...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Stacey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Geisel Honor Book
Genre – Controlled Vocabulary

Summary:
I bear searches for his missing hat and is afraid that he’ll never find it. When he suddenly remembers that he did see it.

A) Readability, Illustrations, and repetitive phrases
B) The level of readability is great for early readers containing many sight words. The illustrations are wonderful accompanying the writing and providing the reader with visual aid that can be used to help them while reading. The repetitive phrases enable the reader to...more

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About Jon Klassen

Jon Klassen received the 2010 Canadian Governor General’s Award for his illustrations in Caroline Stutson’s CAT'S NIGHT OUT. He also created illustrations for the popular series THE INCORRIGIBLE CHILDREN OF ASHTON PLACE and served as an illustrator on the animated feature film Coraline. I WANT MY HAT BACK is the first book he has both written and illustrated. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada,...more

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