Very Good Hats

Any child can tell you what a hat is. Except that a hat isn’t always what we think it is, and a head isn’t always the place for a hat. One might need hats for the tips of their fingers. And finger-tip hats can be many things—raspberries, tortellini, or other fun things. If it’s cold outside, a cat or other small, furry animal might be a perfectly good hat for one’s head. Bath bubbles make a good hat, but only for a short time. Some jobs require special hats, like chefs and cowboys and pirates and firemen. Pajamas make dangly hats and towels make pointy hats. And bowls and leaves and clouds and more make hats.

Author Emma Straub has written a silly but very comprehensive look at hats and what constitutes a hat. The writing is fresh and awfully clever. The littlest of listeners and the youngest of emerging readers will find this to be a very fun book. The bright, primitive illustrations by Blanca Gómez are filled with delightful details, support the text beautifully, and will help to keep young listeners and readers engaged.