Olive and the Magic Hat

by Eileen Christelow

Playing with their father's hat, Olive and Otis Opossum accidentally drop it on Mr. Foxley who becomes convinced that the hat is magical.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Eileen Christelow is an acclaimed American author and illustrator of children’s books, best known for her beloved Five Little Monkeys series. Beginning with Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, a playful retelling of the classic nursery rhyme, the series has captivated generations of young readers with its humor and rhythmic storytelling. Over the course of her career, Christelow has published more than 30 books, encompassing both fiction and nonfiction, and many inspired by her surroundings in Vermont, her family life, and even her dog, Emma.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1943, Christelow spent her formative years in Connecticut and briefly in Japan, where she attended the American School in Tokyo. She studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, a discipline that would influence her later work in design and illustration. After working for several years as a freelance photographer, she turned her focus to writing and illustrating picture books while raising her daughter in California. Her earliest works, Henry and the Red Stripes and Mr. Murphy’s Marvelous Invention, were published by Clarion Books in the early 1980s.
Christelow’s books often celebrate storytelling, curiosity, and mischief, appealing to children and educators alike. Titles like What Do Authors Do?, What Do Illustrators Do?, and Vote! provide engaging nonfiction content for young readers, while others such as Letters From a Desperate Dog and The Great Pig Escape draw on humorous real-life scenarios. Her works have received numerous accolades and several Five Little Monkeys titles have been translated into Spanish and Chinese.
She continues to live and work in East Dummerston, Vermont, in a home designed by her husband, where she draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the state. Christelow remains a cherished voice in children’s literature, with a lasting legacy of entertaining and educating young readers.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story about a birthday present that has a bit of a 'magical' adventure. The story is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish. Our girls loved Mr. Foxley's expressions. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Kristen Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very sweet, but it's not anything that I haven't read before. It's very simple and good for kids though. I don't have too many praises or complaints with the book.