LS5603 - Picture Book 1: THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen

 

That is a stolen hat upon the little fish's head!

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

A cocky little fish steals a hat from a much larger, sleeping fish. The little fish is quick to assure the reader that not only will he not get caught, but that his theft was justified—the hat was too small for the big fish anyways! However, the big fish does notice his hat is gone, and sets off in pursuit of the little fish. For all the little fish’s sneakiness, after an off-the-pages altercation between the two fish, the big fish swims away with his hat, and the little fish is nowhere to be seen.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story is told from the little fish’s perspective and with his confidence that he will not get caught. However, the illustrations, often focusing on the big fish, tell another story entirely. This juxtaposition creates tension for the reader as they read on, the capture of the little fish becoming more and more inexorable with each page turn.

The illustration’s minimalistic nature work perfectly for this book. The simple drawings let the reader’s attention be drawn to the important parts of the pictures; in many pictures of the big fish, his eyes are what tell the real story, and they tell a very different story than what the little fish is saying. The colors are very dark for a children’s book—lots of black and grey, possibly as a reflection of the thief as the narrator.

The moral of the story could be considered a touch controversial. The obvious moral is that one should not steal, especially from large fish. It is possible for the book to also read that if one steals, don’t get caught. Which moral would be more prevalent could be influenced by the adult reader and their discussion with the ones being read to.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPTS

2013 CALDECOTT MEDAL

Kirkus Reviews BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK OF 2012

From Publisher's Weekly – “Klassen excels at pictures to tell the parts of the story his unreliable narrators omit or evade.”

From School Library Journal – “ This not-to-be-missed title will delight children again and again.”

From The Horn Book – “Darkly hilarious.”

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other 2013 & 2014 Caldecott Medal books to read such as:

·         Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, ISBN 1442402970

·         Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner, ISBN 0618756612

·         Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett. Illus. Jon Klassen, ISBN 9780061953385

Gather other Jon Klassen books to read such as:

·         I Want My Hat Back, ISBN 0763655988

Use to discuss emotions and facial expressions. After reading the book, have children draw a face expression some emotion and explain how they conveyed their emotion through drawing (Candlewick Press “Read to Us!” Story Hour Kit” www.candlewick.com/book_files/9999999911.kit.11.pdf)