In the first book, a bear lost a hat to an opportunistic thief. In the second book, a fish made a swift exit with a hat that wasn't his and in the third book two turtles (Charlotte argued me out that the book should have said "TORTOISES" not turtles) have found a hat. Two turtles into one hat doesn't go and thus, hilarity ensues!
So far, if you've not encountered the series before, you're probably scratching your head in confusion. How can Jon Klassen's "Hat" books be so revered? So talked about? So well loved by kids?
The answer - well it's all in the eyes. It's all in Jon Klassen's brilliant sparse and original artwork, it's all in the expressions he manages to wring out of his animal characters and it's all in how there's something deliciously dark and subversive about the behaviour some of the animals exhibit.
Two turtles, one hat. Both turtles are the best of friends, both think they look great in the hat, but there's two turtles and only one hat so - for the best - both decide to leave the hat exactly where it is.
But that hat plays on the minds of one turtle, who keeps throwing the hat a sneaky sideways look. A coveting look. As the two turtles settle down to sleep, what will happen next?
Of course, we're not going to spoil things for you. I do love the way the series comes to quite a gentle end (for some weird reason we completely missed book two, we'd better get on that pronto!) and we got such a huge kick out of the thought-provoking behaviour of the turtles, perfectly reflecting our own inner covetousness at times!
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
Charlotte's favourite bit: Parading around the house wearing her tiny little hat that came with the book. She also loves the rather sneaky sideways avaricious glances one of the turtles keeps giving the hat.
Daddy's favourite bit: Klassen's gift of imbuing his characters with the perfect expressions, all in the eyes, once again make this an essential read and a perfect way to end the "Hat" trilogy (unless we can convince him that we need more more more hat books!)
(Kindly sent to us for review by Walker Books)
"We Found a Hat"
Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Published by Walker Books
Publication Date: 11th October 2016