Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau: A Picture Book

by Andrea Beaty, David Roberts (Illustrator)

In a three-story house with a shop down below, lived the worlds finest hat maker, Madame Chapeau. Like the Lady herself, all her hats were refined. Brilliantly singular. One of a kind. So begins the tale of a lonely hat maker who matches customers to the perfect hat but lacks her own perfect match in life. Once a year, on her birthday, Madame Chapeau ventures out in her favorite bonnet to dinner. This time, a crow snatches her hat and flies away. Mon dieu! As she chases the crow through the streets of Paris, a baker, a policeman, a cowboy, and others offer her their own hats to wear. None of them are quite right, though, until one special little girl offers her a hat "knitted with love and [her] best birthday wish." From the bestselling team behind Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer comes this delightful and very stylish story about love, community, and friendship, with some fancy hats thrown in for good measure.

Praise for Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau
"Beaty carries the bounces and lilts to the very last page. Roberts' colorful, exaggerated hats (many of which are modeled on real designs) whimsically adorn the multicultural Parisian public."
-- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Fashion, Storytime, France

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2014

About the author

For more information, visit my website (www.AndreaBeaty.com).

Also, visit www.Questioneers.com for posters, activities, educator resources, and other information about the Questioneer books.

Further, check out Story Time From Space to see Ada Twist and Rosie Revere read at the International Space Station by astronauts! It’s out of this world.

https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-tw...

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame Chapeau, a hatmaker, is on the hunt for the perfect hat for her fancy dress, as a crow absconded with her lovely chapeau. Madame Chapeau is offered countless hats by others, with none of them seeming just quite right. Throughout her hat adventure, Madame Chapeau is trailed by the adorable Ada Twist of Ada Twist, Scientist (the girl's not named, but that's who I think it is).

[Bree Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was obsessed with the beautiful artwork in this book. It’s an amazing story of the sentimental we put into things, loss, the beauty in something new, friendship.
I thought it was fantastic.

[Maryam Ghaderi · Rating 5 out of 5]

مَدَم شَپو(شپو به فرانسه يعني كلاه) هرروز از هشت تا چهار برای جوون تا پیر انواع و اقسام کلاه رو می
سازه.
سالی یکبار شب تولدش لباس و کلاه شیک و خاصش رو میپوشه و خودش تنها میره که شام‌ش تو بهترین جای شهر بخوره. اما اینبار در طول مسیر یک کلاغ کلاهش رو میقاپه…

خیلی دوستش دارم هم به این دلیل که یه کم فرانسه بلدم و معنی کلمات فرانسویش رو میدونستم و هم اینکه نقاشی کتاب عالیه عالی.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello friends! Our book today is Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau, written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts, a touching tale of kindness.

In a small shop, a shy young woman makes the loveliest hats in the world, each meticulously crafted to fit its owner’s look and personality. Each day, Madame Chapeau makes her special hats, then returns to her apartment to eat a lonely dinner for one. The only exception is her birthday: she dresses in her finest couture, wears her own special hat (made for her by someone very dear), and heads to the fanciest restaurant in town to eat her birthday dinner alone. This year, as she is en route, she trips and knocks loose her special hat, which is then snatched away by a crow. Devastated, Madame Chapeau chases the bird through the streets, pleading for the return of her hat, to no avail. Passersby see the woman’s distress, and each offer their own hat to replace her lost one, but she cannot bear to ask the owners to part with their own special hats. Dejected, she returns to the restaurant, where a wonderful surprise awaits…

This one was so unexpectedly emotional, and it left the warmest feeling in my heart. On the surface, the tale of Madame Chapeau opening her heart after strangers show her the utmost kindness (and I won’t spoil the ending, which is devastatingly sweet), is a wonderful lesson for children in empathy. But through the use of subtle visual clues, and the hats as a metaphor for love, it also becomes a story about overcoming grief: though never explicitly stated, the illustrations reveal that Madame Chapeau is a widow, and her late love was the one who crafted her special hat. This detail makes the events of the story all the more devastating, then uplifting. Once again, Beaty and Roberts have crafted a quietly powerful story that stays with you long after the final page. The length is perfect, JJ and I both adored it, and this one is absolutely Baby Bookworm approved.

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[St. Gerard Expectant Mothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite picture books and my "go to" book for customers that want a good storybook for someone. Not only are the illustrations gorgeous but it has a beautiful message about friendship, love, and the importance of putting sentiment in material things. Highly recommended.

[deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing less than utterly delightful! "Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau" is deliciously drawn, full of charming details and artwork that is so pleasing to look at. I love the little details, like the mouse wearing a hat made from a thimble, and the recurring presence of the young knitting girl who shows up throughout the book. I don't always love children's books that have a really firmly set rhyme scheme but this one is cutely clever and I think kids will have a blast reading it. Finally, it was really refreshing to see that the ending is more female friendship based, with girls sharing their passions with each other, and not a story that is solved by a romance. Loved it!

[RG]

Another beautiful book to add to my hat themed storytime!

[Fromwordstoworlds · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is a fashion icon if not an eccentric artist?

The unconventional British fashion editor Isabella Blow tragically died in 2007 but she is still invoked as one of the most imaginative persons when talking about wearing hats. She became a muse for Philip Treacy, a milliner who created hats that Isabella wore gracefully and ingeniously.

These hats and also the surrealistic creations of Elsa Schiaparelli who had worked with Salvador Dali to change the boundaries between fashion and art became the source of inspiration for Andrea Beaty and David Roberts who created Madame Chapeau, the world’s finest hatmaker.

Her passion, her talent and her devotion made each person feel special, no matter young or old. But as most artists, Madame Chapeau had to respond celebrity with loneliness. Even for her birthday she used to dine alone.

See the full review on blog:
https://fromwordstoworlds.wordpress.c...

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beaty does it again!

[Zipora Zipora · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a three-story house with a show down below lived the world’s finest hatmaker, Madame Chapeau. Like the lady herself, all her hats were refined-brilliantly singular, one of a kind! Each feather, each bauble, each bead, and each bow- painstakingly chosen by Madame Chapeau. From promptly at eight till exactly at four, the hatless but hopeful arrived at her door. Each person was special. Each one of a kind, and perfectly matched to the hat she designed. She made hats for all, from the young to the old, and each left her boutique a sight to behold. Then, climbing the stairs with her dog and her cat, the lonely, shy hatmaker took off her cat. A sliver of gouda, a plum, and a scone, the Lady Chapeau ate her dinner alone.
Just one night a year- on her birthday, no less- the lady unpacked her most elegant dress, the one with the frills and the frou-frou upon it. And last but not least chose her best birthday bonnet. She strolled through the streets in her elegant gown to dine-all alone-at the best place in town. Just two blocks away from Chez Snooty, the lady stubbed her toe on a root. She took a great tumble and flipped head-to-toe. Her fine birthday bonnet was seized by a crow.

Each hat that she saw was a pitch-perfect fit for the kind, lovely soul who was perfect for it. She knew that each hat- with its feathers or fur-was made for someone who was simply not her.

“I made you a gift from some yarn that I had. I made it myself, and I just want to say, I hope you enjoy it… and Happy Birthday! The girl held a brightly knit cap in her hand, with thin purple stripes and a wide orang band. Its earflaps were yellow. Its pom-pom was green. A freakier headpiece has never been seen. “It looks rather odd,” said the Lady Chapeau. “This hat has no baubles. No beads. And no bow! It’s stretchy… it’s cozy… it’s easy to squish. It’s knitted with love and your best birthday wish!”

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve got a birthday in our house today, so we busted out all of our favorite birthday books this week. Today’s review, though it features a birthday book, is of a favorite book in our house year-round, birthday day or not— Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau written by Andrea Beaty (@andreabeatyauthor) and illustrated by David Roberts (@dr.illustration). (Yes, they are the duo responsible for the wonderful Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist!).
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I picked this book up a few years ago at our library’s used book sale based solely on the fact that we love Beaty’s and Roberts’s other books so much, and Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau is just as well-liked in our house as their other books… if not even more popular! Based on the styles and works of a real-life fashion editor and a milliner (which I learned about thanks to the kindly-included Artist’s Note at the beginning), we see the “world’s finest hatmaker” going about her business on her birthday, which she always celebrates by herself at her favorite restaurant. This time, however, her hat is taken by a crow on her way to dinner, and what happens next is a wonderful story of the kindness and generosity of others.
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As with her more well-known books, Beaty nails rhyme and rhythm on every page, making this book a delight to read aloud. Roberts’s colorful and multicultural illustrations bring life to the streets of Paris and emotion and charm to each character we meet. Adults will also find tiny bits of humor throughout, such as the name of Madame Chapeau’s favorite restaurant (Chez Snooty-Patoot!).
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Recommended for ages 4-8, though my now 3-year-old has been enjoying it since she was about 2! This has been a go-to birthday gift in our house lately.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Jesus, someone grant this lady sainthood, because that hat at the end was HIDEOUS and she made that child feel so special and loved regardless. This dynamic duo (Beaty & Roberts) became famous for "Iggy Peck, Architect" and the series that followed, but I actually prefer this to that body of work. From the breathtaking first page, where the buildings coalesce around each other like Mt. St. Michel, to the endearing message of not wanting to take something from someone else, no matter how kindly offered and genuinely intended, because it is meant specifically for them, this is a cute and riveting tale of uniqueness and being a boss (what other woman dresses up fancy for her birthday dinner and takes herself out solo with no scruples? Great message for young girls!) I love Madame Chapeau, and I also love seeing more adorable black protagonists and sidekicks in the children's picture book space.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute, but not as much fun as their previous books. Madame Chapeau makes the best hats for everyone else and her customers love her, but during her off hours, she's lonely. When a bird steals her own perfect hat, she chases after it while being mortified at the idea of wearing a lesser hat, or worse, no hat at all. I appreciate that the resolution to her hat problem and her loneliness problem come in the form of friendship rather than romance.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madame Chapeau makes perfectly suited hats for everyone. When her own perfect hat is stolen by a crow (on her birthday no less) Madame's special day is ruined. Is there anyone who can help her find a new hat that's just perfect for her?
•
Oh I just love this author/illustrator duo! I love the clever rhyming text and cute story, and the artwork is just fantastic! A new favorite!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the cover and I'm glad that I picked it up. It was a cute story about a shy female hat-maker that always eats alone on her birthday. When the wind takes the hat off her head, she meets a bunch of people that offer them their hat instead and makes friends along the way as she attempts to get her hat back.

[John Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: 4-6

I got to read Happy Birthday, Madam Chapeau to my five year old, as she was still too young to read on her own. She enjoyed it as much as any other picture book. But it blew me away. It is a story about love, but my daughter won't understand that until she is much older. I hope this book crosses her path again, so she can discover for herself the beautiful hidden layer within.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn about the sophisticated Madame Chapeau and her fabulous hats. Its amazing how one little girls' methods can change a perspective, even to someone as glamorous as Madame Chapeau.

Rhyming couplet picture book cleverly shares a little bit about this famous woman.

Perfect read for Women's History Month

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I loved it! The illustrations are awesome and the story is sweet. I love how it rhymes and flows oh so well. Plus, I absolutely love the last page of illustrations. Those hats are so darn cute! Especially the ones on the pets. I love it. Perfect for a clothes unit for preschool. All about hats!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madame Chapeau is a hat maker who has lost her favorite hat. She tries to retrieve it, and in the process, encounters many people who want to help. Nice story about kindness and nice, colorful illustrations.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot, especially the illustrations. However, the rhymes didn't always work very well and I just couldn't figure out why Madame Chapeau didn't make herself another hat. After all, she was a milliner! But a fun story nonetheless.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations for this funny book about a hat maker.

[Rommel Sison · Rating 3 out of 5]

7-year-old daughter: 👒👒👒👒👒
5-year-old daughter: 👒👒

[Erica Flory · Rating 5 out of 5]

very elegant

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet and unexpected!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, short book, written in poetry style, with whimsical illustrations.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book for young children and their mothers and nana's. Love the language. It is not dumbed down at all. Children who love people, fashion and language will love Madame Chapeau

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My {almost} seven year old daughter loved this book so much, she had portions of it memorized :)!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chez Snooty Patoot. I LOVE this book.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great rhymes and illustrations

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ada Twist even makes an appearance! :)