I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen is a talking animal fantasy quest tale involving drama and mystery for children who enjoy humor and mischief. It was published in 2011 and The New York Times Bestseller Best Illustrated Children's Book. This picture book has charming illustrations to accompany the bear's quest to find his missing hat. He goes from animal to animal looking for his red pointy hat. He comes across a rabbit wearing a pointy red hat but doesn't notice that the rabbit is wearing it when enquiring to where his has gone. Later, however, he realizes that the rabbit was wearing his hat, even though he lied and said he hadn't seen it. The bear runs back to retrieve his hat. After he gets it back, a squirrel approaches the bear looking for a rabbit in a hat. The bear says that he hasn't seen the rabbit nor did he eat the rabbit. It is a funny twist, implying that the bear has eaten the rabbit. This leaves readers wondering if he really ate the rabbit or not. You be the judge. 

 

The illustrations are created by Klassen using digital imagery and Chinese ink. Each character is expressive and unique while using realistic coloring for the animals. All illustrations are a similar collection of brown and cream hues with a splash of color in the red hat. The author uses this pop of color to draw attention to the hat while also making it a desirable object for the bear. This hat is special because it is bright and rich in color in a world of earth tones. While humorous and simplistic in the text, the pattern of question asking per character develops a rhythm for the reader. Children will realize early that the bear is going to ask the same question to each character he encounters. This also is what makes his realization of where he saw his hat and his rush to the rabbit who stole it more exciting to the reader.

 

The expression on the face of the bear in each illustration appears sad and confused. The text that accompanies each image brings the conversation between the animals to life while matching the expression of the bear. The brief and direct interactions prove that the bear is on a distinct mission. Once the bear confronts the rabbit who stole his hat, there is an illustration that spread across two pages and over the gutter. The expressions between the two characters are expressive enough that no text is present or necessary. This particular illustration made me laugh aloud. Though the idea of the bear eating the rabbit can be a little dark, the overall humor is apparent in the text and imagery. I think children will enjoy the animal interaction as they take a journey with the bear to find his red pointy hat.

Motivational Activities:

* I Want My Hat Back ends with the implication that the bear ate the rabbit who stole his hat. But maybe not. There is no proof. Have students make a pros and cons list of why the bear should and why the bear should not eat the rabbit. Then have students decide if they believe the bear ate the rabbit or not and explain why. 

*Everyone has a prized possession or two they hold dear to their hearts. Have students choose an item they love as much as the bear loves his hat. Once they have chosen a possession, have students create an animal alter ego for themselves. They will then create 3 illustrations that show their animal searching for their item in certain spots it could be lost. In a 4th illustration, reveal where it was hidden. Accompany the illustrations with a summary of what is happening in the illustrations and a description of the emotional response they have to finding their object. 

Reader Response Questions:

1. What kind of animal stole the bear's hat and what did it look like?

2. Observe the illustration between the rabbit and bear that spans over two pages and has no text. Write your own caption for this photo and give dialogue for each characters.

3. Explain the ending of the story and what you believe happened to the rabbit. Explain why you believe this to be the truth. 

Further reading:

*This is Not My Hat By Jon Klassen

*The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

*Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

*This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers

*Press Here by Herve Tullet