This Is Not My Hat

THIS IS NOT MY HAT is a board book story about a fish who has stolen a hat. He took it from a much bigger fish and has a plan for escape into the weeds. He has dashed along and is not worried about the crab who saw where he went or that the big fish will find him. At the end, the big fish does find him in the weeds, and the story ends with the big fish happily wearing his hat again.

What I loved: This is a simple story about a fish who has taken something that doesn't belong to him. He knows it is wrong, but he has done it anyway. It asks a morality question about taking things from others and the possible consequences. Even thought the fish thinks he has gotten away with it, things are never so simple. The story reads quickly and much of it is told through the illustrations with expressive fish. The font is easily readable on each page, and readers will be able to decide how they believe things ended amidst the weeds themselves.

What left me wanting more: As a board book, this will be challenging for the youngest of readers. As they do not have much context, little ones appreciate a story that is spelled out for them, and this one tells images that allow children to fill in the blanks, which can be tough. The lessons in this one are also a bit tough with a fish stealing (though this is righted), and the little fish is not seen again at the end, leaving some potentially darker answers for what happens in between.

Final verdict: THIS IS NOT MY HAT is an intriguing story of theft and morality that will work for some readers better than others. Would recommend this for older readers.