The Hat
Author: Jan Brett
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1997
Pages: 30
Reading Level: 2.2
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: ***

Summary:
Who knew so much could happen due to one sock blowing off the line? Well in The Hat, you get a little idea of just how much can. Lisa, a young girl is getting ready for winter and takes all her winter clothes out and hangs them out to dry, but a gust of wind blows one of her socks off the line. Soon after a hedgehog comes along, like all of us would, he wants to know what is inside. So he sticks his head in, but when he comes out, the sock is stuck to his prickles. So as he makes his way through the forest all the other animals make fun of him, asking what is on his head? But for each question and joke made, he has a witty reply and tells the other animals that it is winter and everyone needs a hat, and off they run. Finally back at his den the hedgehog wants to get in, but his “hat” is too big. Then Lisa comes running after, and takes the sock off his head. As she goes back to her clothes line she sees all her winter things throughout the forest. All the other animals had gone and found their own “hats”. So in the end the hedgehog got to have the last laugh.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a fun book especially for younger children. The pictures are very detailed and each page gives a little clue as to what the next page will bring. It also helps to each about animals.

Potential problems/conflicts:
I honestly don’t see any problems with this book.

My reaction:
The story line was honestly a little slow for me, but it is a fun book especially for younger children. Honestly my favorite part is the pictures. They are filled to the top, and give a clue to what is on the next page and a snippet from the last page. If you want a great picture book, one literally for the pictures, this is a great choice.