A picture-book delight by a rising talent tells a cumulative tale with a mischievous twist.
The bear’s hat is gone, and he want... read full description
The bear’s hat is gone, and he want... read full description
reviews
Oct 14, 2011
Wendy Darling
rated it: 
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 bo More...
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 bo More...
17 comments
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(27 people liked it)
Nov 19, 2011
Simeon
rated it:
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.
2 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jan 27, 2012
Destinee
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 16, 2012
Maureen
rated it:
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, anoth More...
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, anoth More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 02, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
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.
Can't help but love the chutzpah of the ending.
2 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 19, 2012
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
rated it: 
I read this as an advance copy and today the finished copy. Love it even more the second time around.
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 20, 2011
Colby
rated it:
Top 5 picture book for me this year.
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(5 people liked it)
Nov 04, 2011
babyhippoface
rated it:
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, c More...
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, c More...
2 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Jan 04, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
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.
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Nov 23, 2011
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
rated it:
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 illustratio More...
“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 illustratio More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 20, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
Possible lessons learned in I Want My Hat Back? No matter how polite a bear you are, the smaller animals will be intimidated. Believing that someone is telling you the truth is not a bad trait, but then, neither is using your powers of observation. Lying to a bear is not a good idea. Bears really love their hats. Stealing is bad.
The repetition and progression of the story is charming. A bear wants his hat back, he asks around. It is all simple and straight-forward. The text is big, the More...
The repetition and progression of the story is charming. A bear wants his hat back, he asks around. It is all simple and straight-forward. The text is big, the More...
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2011
Joanna
rated it:
Bear asks snake if he has seen his hat. And so Bear 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.” “ More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 14, 2011
Pricky
rated it: 
Klassen's artwork is beautiful and his humorous technique at telling the story of a bear's lost hat is unique.
The writing is simple yet catchy and the drawings are engaging; I particularly liked one scene that was painted red to depict anger...very creative stuff.
HOWEVER!!!!!! as a "children's book" this one is extremely disappointing.
In summary, <spoiler> the bear has lost his hat and politely asks different animals if they have seen it, only More...
The writing is simple yet catchy and the drawings are engaging; I particularly liked one scene that was painted red to depict anger...very creative stuff.
HOWEVER!!!!!! as a "children's book" this one is extremely disappointing.
In summary, <spoiler> the bear has lost his hat and politely asks different animals if they have seen it, only More...
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 13, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
A sweet-looking bear appears on this book's cover and then wanders through its pages in search of his hat. He asks every creature he meets about that hat, questioning a fox, a frog, a rabbit, and a turtle, among others, but no one has seen that hat. While talking to a deer, he realizes that he knows exactly where the hat is because he's seen someone wearing it. Without bothering to ask any questions, the bear gets his hat back. When a squirrel comes by to ask him about a rabbit wearing a hat, th
More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 18, 2011
David
rated it: 
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen is a story about a bear who searches for his hat, with a surprising subversive twist at the end.
The bear's hat is gone and he wants it back. He asks a fox, a frog, a rabbit, a turtle, a snake, and an armadillo, if they have seen his hat. No one has, although the rabbit has a long reply including the fact that he hasn't seen any hats and he would not steal a hat, despite the fact he is wearing a pointy, red hat.
The bear is very depressed More...
The bear's hat is gone and he wants it back. He asks a fox, a frog, a rabbit, a turtle, a snake, and an armadillo, if they have seen his hat. No one has, although the rabbit has a long reply including the fact that he hasn't seen any hats and he would not steal a hat, despite the fact he is wearing a pointy, red hat.
The bear is very depressed More...
Oct 20, 2011
Barky
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 30, 2011
Marika
rated it:
Dark, sorrowful and funny. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus flavored with a squeeze of Edward Gorey. Lemony Snicket finds a morose friend. All these tag lines ran through my head as I read I Want My Hat Back. I've been a fan of Jon Klassen's work since I first grabbed an ARC of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place for the cover. Now, it's exciting to finally see an entire book by Jon.
Bear has lost his little red hat. He ventures through the forest, inquiring if anyone may have s More...
Bear has lost his little red hat. He ventures through the forest, inquiring if anyone may have s More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jun 15, 2011
I think the best way to tell you about I Want My Hat Back is to describe my family’s reaction to it. I was sent a review copy by the publisher (the official pub date is Sept. 27), and I began reading it right out of the package, standing in the living room. A bear has lost his hat, and he wants it back. He asks a fox; the fox hasn’t seen it. He asks a frog; no luck there either. He asks a rabbit—a rabbit who happens to be wearing a pointy red hat.
“No. Why are you asking me,” replies More...
“No. Why are you asking me,” replies More...
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(15 people liked it)
May 27, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! When Caroline Stutson’s Cats’ Night Out was released by Simon & Schuster in 2010 it contained art by an animator going by the moniker of Jon Klassen. And frankly I just thought it contained some of the slickest art I’d seen in a picture book in a long while. I hardly even noticed that he was the same guy behind the pictures found in The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood. Still and all, until now he hadn’t
More...
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(10 people liked it)
Nov 08, 2011
Jason
rated it:
CONTAINS SPOILERS* (and some complaining)
*and by SPOILERS, I mean I will spoil the entire book because its text could fit on a 3x5 index card if it weren't written in size 36 font
I guess I heard too many good things about this book before I actually read it. I was expecting to just die laughing while reading this book (which I had done on my previous book, Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?"), but I did More...
*and by SPOILERS, I mean I will spoil the entire book because its text could fit on a 3x5 index card if it weren't written in size 36 font
I guess I heard too many good things about this book before I actually read it. I was expecting to just die laughing while reading this book (which I had done on my previous book, Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?"), but I did More...
Nov 14, 2011
Danica
rated it:
Totally wonderful. LOVED IT.
That said... I wonder. Do kids get this when it's read aloud word for word? Have readers used different voices to distinguish the speakers?
Very Modern picture book. Both the pictures and the text is understated and sparse. Very deadpan, which makes me wonder, what age do you have to be to appreciate deadpan humor?
My husband thought it was pretty funny. :)
That said... I wonder. Do kids get this when it's read aloud word for word? Have readers used different voices to distinguish the speakers?
Very Modern picture book. Both the pictures and the text is understated and sparse. Very deadpan, which makes me wonder, what age do you have to be to appreciate deadpan humor?
My husband thought it was pretty funny. :)
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 06, 2011
Ms. B
rated it:
Interesting, this one is definitely for the kids and not the adults.
As an adult reader there's not a whole lot to this story of bear who lost his hat and an assortment of other clueless animal characters. As an adult who had read other reviews, I was expecting something darker or more twisted.
Then I read it to a couple classes of kindergartners and we used it to discuss friendship. Ways that the animals were good friends and ways they were not. As an adult, I learned this book needs to be rea More...
As an adult reader there's not a whole lot to this story of bear who lost his hat and an assortment of other clueless animal characters. As an adult who had read other reviews, I was expecting something darker or more twisted.
Then I read it to a couple classes of kindergartners and we used it to discuss friendship. Ways that the animals were good friends and ways they were not. As an adult, I learned this book needs to be rea More...
Jan 06, 2012
Martyn
rated it:
Had to add this kid's picture book to my list. It's hilarious and, as predicted, my five year old daughter laughed herself silly over it AND knew exactly what had happened at the end. She's a smart cookie that way.
This book offers a great chance for overly dramatic parents (me) to cook up a wonderfully Machiavellian reading voice, mwa-ha-ha!
This book offers a great chance for overly dramatic parents (me) to cook up a wonderfully Machiavellian reading voice, mwa-ha-ha!
2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 20, 2011
Eva
rated it:
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 alone the sort-of cute bear More...
So, the bear lost his hat. He asks the other animals if they've seen it. They all say no. Once alone the sort-of cute bear More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 05, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
If you like black humor, this one's for you! Very very funny.
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 16, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
Oh, this it too adorable, nope a bit worldly-wise, but cute too. So funny! What a hoot. The story is simple. A bear has lost his beloved hat and searches for it, asking those along his way if they have seen it. I loved the whole story, although I can imagine some little kids or sensitive kids might find it hilarious but some might be freaked out a bit by it too.
It’s a really fun read aloud book, and for families who have kids with a wicked sense of humor, this book can be enjoyed by More...
It’s a really fun read aloud book, and for families who have kids with a wicked sense of humor, this book can be enjoyed by More...
7 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Dec 31, 2011
Anne
rated it:
I went to a talk by someone from the Eric Carle museum who raved about this book. I was sadly disappointed. The art is static and somber. Simple drawings can reveal much (see Mo Willems Gerald and Piggie series), but here nothing is revealed or even suggested. The humor is dark and potentially disturbing for preschool age children. Much more reminiscent of patrick rothfuss' Mr Whiffle which is NOT a children's picture book. I would never share this book with a group in a classroom storytim
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Nov 04, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Simplistic pictures and storyline won't prohibit this book from having a powerful entertaining impact on its readers. I can just hear my younger students laughing. Part of the major appeal about this book to me is the fact that none of the animals have mouths on them. Weird as it sounds, it makes me laugh even harder with the storyline, just looking at their mouthless mugs. The expression of each animal through their eyes is a very important clue to readers in the storytelling. Plus the lib
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 03, 2012
Jennie
rated it:
The poor bear just wants his hat back!! I love that the entire book is written in dialogue and that it is so simple and yet so hilarious! Great read!
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(1 person liked it)
