Review of "This is not my Hat" by Jon Klassen

Klassen, Jon. This Is Not My Hat. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7636-5599-0

In the deepest, darkest part of the ocean, one little fish is quite confident that he won’t be caught. Not “caught” in the sense of being reeled in by a fishing pole or net, but caught stealing a hat off of a very large fish while he was sleeping. The story follows the little fish as he carries out his getaway plan to make it to the place “where the plants are big and tall and close together” so that no one can find him and his stolen possession. 

Klassen’s illustrations tell the whole tale with subtle changes in eye movement and hand gestures. Anticipation builds as the story progresses and readers wait for the little fish to be caught. 

This is Not My Hat is Caldecott Award-winning book that can easily be used to help teach children honesty and integrity in a light-hearted, yet “darkly hilarious” manner (Horn Book 2012). This story can also be used to help children use context clues in order to predict what will happen next. This story is a true asset to any children’s library collection. 

If you liked this story, consider reading the following books:

Klassen, Jon. I Want my Hat Back. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7636-5598-3

Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. Westminister, MD: Random House Children's Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-375-85861-1

References

Smith, Robin. "Review of This Is Not My Hat." The Horn Book. September 26, 2012. Accessed January 22, 2017.

This Is Not My Hat, Christ Academy. Personal photograph by Emily Adams. January 22, 2016.