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cris_bookreader 's review for:

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
4.0

Assignment: Picture Book Project
Category: Caldecott
Recommending Source: Caldecott Medal 2013

Review: A small fish has stolen a hat from a bigger fish. The small fish is certain that the big fish will not realize he has taken it. When the big fish awakens, it notices that the hat is missing and searches for the small fish. Heading for the thick field of tall plants, the small is certain that the big fish will not be able to find him. But, the big fish does find him and takes his hat back. The exact fate of the small fish is uncertain.

On the front of both the dust cover and hardcover is a simple illustration of a small fish wearing a small hat and swimming to some place. The title is in a periwinkle blue and the author is labeled in smaller white text. The background is black and it's possible that the setting is taking place in the evening. Turning the book over, the back side has the hat centered on the cover lodged between a few plants. The same black background is used inside the book; meanwhile, the text of the story is in black text and a white background. Chinese ink and digital imagery were used to create the illustrations.

Since the ending was left for open interpretation, students can write and draw their own ending to the story. Students can also respond to this writing prompt: "The small fish assumed it was okay for him to take the small hat that belonged to the big fish. Why do you think he did it? Is it wrong to steal from others? Explain." Another good activity would be to discuss the emotions that both characters were experiencing in the story. Students can draw their own versions of those feelings and share with the class.

I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh. I felt like the presumptuous little fish was in for trouble as soon as he stole the hat. It was funny to see the big fish wake up and react to his lost hat so quickly. I did feel a little sorry for the small fish because he had no idea that the big fish was on his way. It’s interesting that the author left the ending open for our imagination. My initial thought was that the big fish ate the little fish in order to get his hat back. I also liked how the digital images were simple, yet through the big fish and crab’s expressions, I knew exactly what they must have been thinking and feeling.