The Hat ANNOTATION
When Lisa hangs her woolen clothes in the sun to air them out for winter, the hedgehog, to the amusement of the other animals, ends up wearing a stocking on his head.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
November 1997
With more than 12 million books in print, Jan Brett is unquestionably one of the world's top author-illustrators. Now she has created a tale sure to please her loyal fans and destined to draw in legions of new ones. The Hat is a delightful story with a strong Scandinavian influence, told as much through Brett's illustrations as through her words.
In The Hat, a little hedgehog, appropriately named Hedgie, finds himself stuck a stocking, which has blown off the clothesline. As the barnyard animals laugh and poke fun at Hedgie's new "hat," Hedgie convinces them that everyone needs a winter hat to keep warm as the cold months approach.
When Lisa, the clothing's owner, realizes that her stocking is missing, she tracks down Hedgie to take it back, only to discover that all the animals in the farm are now wearing clothing articles from her clothesline! In the end, Lisa has to run around the farm, retrieving her clothes from the animals.
Brett fans will not be surprised that the author's real-life pet hedgehog, Buffy, inspired The Hat: One morning, after searching and searching, Brett and her husband were amused to discover that Buffy had climbed into a slipper sock and was unable to get out because of her spines. A trip to Denmark and the sight of its beautiful scenery was also an influence on the book, which features colorful illustrations, subplots played out in the pages' borders, and all the distinctive elements that Brett fans -- both children and adults -- love so much.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
In this agreeable companion to The Mitten, a Scandinavian girl prepares for winter's arrival by hanging her woolens out to air. When a red-and-white patterned sock falls from the line and gets stuck on his prickles, a hedgehog (who bears the too-cute name of Hedgie) acquires a curious-looking hat. Various farmyard animals mock him, but when Hedgie explains that his new headgear will protect him from the impending snowfall, they are inspired to search out similar garb. Leaving a more lasting impression than this sparse plot, Brett's signature art introduces animal characters as endearing and expressive as those who congregated in her earlier book's expandable white mitten. The format here is familiar as well: the artist frames her double-page pictures with broad borders depicting additional goings-on that hint at the tale's outcome. As before, Brett demonstrates an expert eye for color, rendering the child's embroidered coat and lush, patterned knits in vivid primary hues that pop boldly from the cool, subdued tones of the northern winter landscape and sky. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
It's signature Brett: The Hat is peopled with a variety of cute creatures and most importantly, the star of the story, Hedgie, the hedgehog. As with several of her other books, there are two related stories depicted. The large illustrations and text recount Hedgie's predicament when a sock ends up on his head-caught up in his prickly spines. Teased by the other animals, Hedgie touts the benefits of wearing a hat. The second story told in the cameo insets has all of the other animals taking clothes from the clothesline to create their own hats. It is a funny story that is nicely resolved. The artwork, featuring a Scandinavian farm, will enthrall kids who love detail and especially those who are old enough to get the visual humor.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3A clever and appealing picture book. In preparation for cold weather, Lisa takes her winter clothes out of their storage chest and hangs them up in the fresh air. A strong wind blows one of her knit socks off the line. A hedgehog sticks his head inside, and it becomes stuck on his quills. When a hen, goose, cat, dog, pig, and horse laugh at his appearance, he tries to salvage his dignity by telling each one that his new hat will keep him dry, warm, and cozy throughout the winter. Finally, Lisa finds him and removes her sock, telling him that animals don't wear clothing. But when she goes back to the clothesline, she sees all of the animals wearing her gloves, sweaters, and scarves on their heads. Brett's illustrations are done in her trademark style of highly detailed depictions of her characters and a creative use of borders. Contained within them are small illustrations foreshadowing what will happen next. Shades of grays and greens capture the chilly autumn landscape. Against this background, the earthy colors of the animals and the deep red of Lisa's sock make a stark contrast. The pictures, story, and subject matter make this a natural for sharing aloud. And while very young children may need to have the humor of Hedgie's predicament explained to them, the book's appeal will be broad.Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal
Kirkus Reviews
In a companion book to Brett's The Mitten (1989), a little girl decides to unpack her winter woolens from their decorated chest and hang them out on a line to air before winter comes. The format is the same as that of the first book, with a large main illustration on each page and window frames showing other action occurring at the same time. A curious hedgehog puts his head into a fallen stocking, and—because of his prickles—can't get unstuck. Hedgie encounters other animals, each of whom wants to know about the stuck sock; the hedgehog gives several reasons for its presence: It's a beautiful hat, it will keep him dry, it will keep his ears warm, etc. Each animal runs off with a mission—culling clothes from the line to wear. Throughout, the girl reads, watches out the window, spies the entangled hedgehog, frees him, and tells him that animals don't wear clothes. The satisfying story celebrates the cozy hearth, home, and barnyard of picturesque Scandinavian country life, frozen in time. Brett's somber tones of pre-winter are enlivened by the intricate, colorful clothing; her fine, independent heroine is in charge of the story, and the inventive little hedgehog triumphs as well.
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