Available Formats
Hardback
Published: 1st October 2011
Paperback
Published: 1st October 2012
Board book
Published: 1st December 2018
I Want My Hat Back
By (Author) Jon Klassen
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Walker Books Ltd
Walker Books Ltd
1st October 2012
3rd September 2012
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
813.6
Winner of Bank Street College Irma Black Award Honor Book 2012 (United States)
Paperback
40
Width 200mm, Height 280mm, Spine 6mm
205g
A bear searches for his missing hat in the bestselling, multiple award-winning picture book debut of Jon Klassen.
In his bestselling debut picture book, the multiple award-winning Jon Klassen, illustrator of This Is Not My Hat and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, tells the story of a bear who's hat has 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 it he begins to lose hope, lying flat on his back in despair, a deer comes by and asks a rather obvious question that suddenly sparks the bears memory and renews his search with a vengeance... Told completely in dialogue, this quirky, hilarious, read-aloud tale plays out in sly illustrations brimming with visual humour and winks at the reader who will be thrilled to be in on the joke.
[] the funniest book ever written and here is why: it is always funny, every single time you read it. And if you know any children at all, you will be reading it a lot. It is funny in whatever language you read it (22 and counting) and to almost every child in the world. * The Guardian *
Repetition for the under 5s and giggles for the over 25s (Best book for laughs) * The Lady *
This must be one of the simplest yet original entertaining picture books around at the moment. -- Shirley Hughes * The Telegraph *
This is an author-illustrator who takes you from page to page with a dry humour which matches his story perfectly. -- Shirley Hughes * The Telegraph *
Elegant books * Wall Street Journal *
This simple story of a bear looking for his hat is my go to for an instant pick-up and giggle. Illustrated simply but with obvious care and forethought, the images convey an extra, subtle layer of humour which for now is lost on my young children. However they still appreciate the story and question why I am laughing like a loon at a bear looking for and finding a hat. * The Cheltonian *
Read I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. Its the most subtle endorsement of murder youll ever find. * GQ *
Fed up with reading sugar-coated bedtime stories Try Jon Klassens black-humoured book about a bear trying to track down his missing hat, which your delighted tot will spot long before our hapless detective. Theres loss, lies, vigilante justice and a sticky-pawed bunny. The deliciously deadpan dialogue and stylish muted colour palette will delight all ages, too. * Gurgle *
[] hilarious and with such amazing illustrations to boot. * Gurgle *
Recommended by Frank Cottrell-Boyce as a must read in lockdown on the Lauren Laverne Radio 6 Show. -- Frank Cottrell-Boyce * Lauren Laverne Radio 6 Show *
Jon Klassen is the author-illustrator of I Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat, the only book to ever win both the Kate Greenaway and Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated Mac Barnett's Extra Yarn and served as an illustrator on the animated feature film Coraline. His illustrations for Caroline Stutson's Cats Night Out won the Governor General's Award in 2010. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, Jon now lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit Jon's website at www.burstofbeaden.com and follow him on twitter @burstofbeaden.