This is the Hat: A Story in Rhyme

by Nancy Van Laan

Book Overview

The life of a hat--from its perch on its owner's head to its becoming a home for a spider and a bed for a mouse--is told in cumulative rhyme and cut-paper collage illustrations. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316897272
• ISBN13: 9780316897273
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Joy Street Books
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.6" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 4 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Who Knew Hats Have Adventures - a review of "This Is the Hat"

My children (boy and girl; just-4 years old and almost 6) both like this book. The whimsical artwork is cheerful and different, and the story just charms them. The book follows the adventures of a hat as it makes it's way around the community; going from the old man with the cane, to a spider, mouse, farmer, scarecrow, crow, farmer's wife, puppy, back to the old man again. [There is simply something satisfying about this return.] Four Stars. [B-] Cheerful artwork. Despite the fact that there is a sturdy rhyme, I found this book not to be an easy read-aloud. Still, would recommend it as children - at least mine - really like story.

Fun Rhyming Book!

This is a fun book that describes, in rhyme, the adventures of a colorful hat (mauve with orange and yellow feathers and a brown band). After the wind blows this hat off its wearer all the way to a hay field, it is occupied by a spider and then a mouse, it's used as a basket and almost as a nest, and a puppy takes it on a romp. Eventually, the original owner finds it.This is a simple story told well, with imaginative rhymes and great sound effects:"Tut! Tut!" clucked the farmer's wife when she saw the crow in the hat with a nest out of straw."SHOO! SHOO!fly away!" the farmer's wife said.Then off she skipped with the hat on her head.The pictures, which look like pastes pieces of brightly colored papers are child-like and playful. This is illustrator Holly Meade's first book, and her work sweetly compliments the writing of the accomplished Nancy Van Laan. An excellent book for the infant/toddler set!