Published: October 9th 2012
Publisher: Candlewick
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened…
I have so much love for this book. Klassen tells a brilliant story, there are two layers and it’s hilarious how they contradict one another. This is the second book in the Hat Trilogy and it’s clear from page one it is as wonderful as the first hat fiasco.
The narrator is a small fish who has stolen a hat, and reading about how he is going to get away with it is wonderful because the illustrations show you the exact opposite. I love the illustrations of both fish. Klassen puts so much expression into an expressionless fish and the attitude of both parties is amusing.
The text is simple and on top of the page and the illustrations are dark like the ocean and it works well because it focuses your eyes on the two fish without much distraction. The story is simple, straightforward, and yet Klassen has told a thrilling underwater tale all the same.
You can purchase This is Not My Hat via the following
QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository
Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust
The bear’s hat is gone, and he wants it back. Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no, some more elaborately than others. But just as the bear begins to despond, a deer comes by and asks a simple question that sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance.
Bear does not want to go to the library. He is quite sure he already has all the books he will ever need. Yet the relentlessly cheery Mouse, small and grey and bright-eyed, thinks different. When Bear reluctantly agrees to go with his friend to the big library, neither rocket ships nor wooden canoes are enough for Bear’s picky tastes. How will Mouse ever find the perfect book for Bear?
No one listens to Archie when he says he is a bear so he leaves home and goes into the woods where he makes friends with a bear. A very small boy in a bear suit and a very large bear share the fun of pretending, adventuring in the woods, and a honey sandwich next to a warm fire on a cold day. Which is really the boy, and which is the bear? It doesn’t matter—you are who you say you are. 
When you don’t know what to do. When you haven’t got a clue, go and talk to Miss Theroux. Who, who, who …? Miss Prue … That’s who! 
