I Want My Hat Back

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011

A picture-book delight by a rising talent tells a cumulative tale with a mischievous twist.

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. Told completely in dialogue, this delicious take on the classic repetitive tale plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor -- and winks at the reader with a wry irreverence that will have kids of all ages thrilled to be in on the joke.

Author: Jon Klassen
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 09/27/2011
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.10w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780763655983
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 1
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 155570 / I Want My Hat Back


Award: E.B. White Read Aloud Award - Winner
Award: Buckaroo Book Award - Nominee
Award: Greenaway Medal - Nominee
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Irma S. & James H. Black Award - Honor Book
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Texas 2x2 Reading List - Recommended
Award: Geisel Medal (Dr. Seuss) - Honor Book
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award - Honor Book
Award: Golden Archer Award - Nominee
Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/04/2011
School Library Journal 08/01/2011 pg. 78
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2011
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2011
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2011 pg. 83
Booklist 11/01/2011 pg. 77
Shelf Awareness 09/30/2011
Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/07/2011 pg. 38
Shelf Awareness 06/01/2011
New York Times Book Review 11/13/2011 pg. 29
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/04/2011 pg. 33
People 12/19/2011 pg. 51
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 33 - Superior,Well Above Average
BookPage 11/01/2011

About the Author
Jon Klassen created illustrations for the popular series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and served as an illustrator on the animated feature film Coraline. His illustrations for Caroline Stutson's Cats Night Out won the Governor General Award in 2010. I Want My Hat Back is the first book he has both written and illustrated. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, he lives in Los Angeles.