Lost in a Good Book

Published: 11th October 2016
Publisher: Candlewick
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Pages: 56
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

Two turtles have found a hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But there are two turtles. And there is only one hat. . . . Evoking hilarity and sympathy, the shifting eyes tell the tale in this brilliantly paced story in three parts, highlighting Jon Klassen’s visual comedy and deceptive simplicity. The delicious buildup takes an unexpected turn that is sure to please loyal fans and newcomers alike. 

This is such a sweet book! And nobody dies! Not that that should stop you from opening the book. It is fantastic in all the other ways.

This is the final book in the delightful hat trilogy and Klassen is as strong as ever. From bears and hats, to fish and hats, we’ve come to turtles and hats.

In a different approach there are multiple parts to this story. I was curious about this change in formula but it works so well. There is a wonderful message about friendship, but also the same cheeky, slyness that Klassen works so well into his story. There is drama and suspense, but there is also heart. I loved the message and I loved that it remains a hat story even though it differed slightly.

At its core it is a book about sharing, greed, and friendship and with a lot less murder than before.

Once again, Klassen puts all the expression in the eyes. So much is said in a pair of unblinking eyes, a shift to the left, a shift to the right. It’s brilliant. I have come to love his illustration style and I am so glad there are three books in this series because one was never going to be enough.

You can purchase We Found A Hat via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust

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

Published: 27th September 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★   ★   ★   ★   ★  – 5 Stars

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.

This is the first book in Klassen’s Hat trilogy and it is a brilliant story that both children and adults can enjoy. Ideal to be read alone or out loud the story is told entirely through dialogue with Klassen’s wit and straightforward sentences as Bear asks everyone he meets if they have seen his hat.

I loved the call back to the earlier dialogue and I liked that the bear politely went through all the animals he found, each having a different response. It never gets repetitive and Klassen includes enough animals that it is long enough but also has a few surprises.

The illustrations are part of the charm because the expression Klassen gives the animals are fantastic, and a lot is said through staring. The colours are dulled but still stand out on the page, the focus is on the animal interactions with only a little background but it isn’t missed. A lot of the time too the narrative is a companion to the dialogue, one not quite working without the other. There is something magical about Klassen’s work that makes the entire experience delightful.

The dialogue is the real gem and Bear is a great character. As the story progresses you see that Bear is not a bad bear, he just wants his hat back. He is polite and helpful and no one surely can blame him for anything that happens. If anything even happened at all. Which is doesn’t.

A fantastic beginning to a trilogy. It’s simple, yet clever, and it is certainly unexpected.

You can purchase I Want My Hat Back via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Book Depository

Dymocks | Wordery | Angus and Robinson

 Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust