Very Good Hats written by Emma Straub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez is a wonderful concept book about hats and what makes an item a hat. Very young children will enjoy the descriptions, the pictures, and the possibilities.
Starting with the covers of this entertaining book the reader will see all sorts of hats. Twenty people in hats including a witch, a court jester, a schoolgirl and a grandfather are shown on the front cover. Whereas the back cover cleverly shows the very same twenty people in the very same hat but this time from the back!
There is also a beautiful “visual” discussion of hats that are attached to the workplace such as a sailor’s hat, a cowgirl’s hat, a fire fighter’s hat, a chef’s hat, and headgear for an astronaut. Also, this book asks the child to begin to think about the concept that a hat could be many things such as a turtle’s shell when the turtle disappears inside it! And could the roof on a house and a lid on a pot both serve as a type of hat?
The attractive illustrations are produced digitally using a paper collage method. The spread showing Grandfather and Grandmother up close in their smart hats is outstanding. The book goes on to say: “An empty pudding cup makes a good hat for a stuffed bear.”
Very Good Hats written by Emma Straub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez is a happy introduction to the concept that hats can be more than just something that one wears on one’s head. Young readers, 3-5 years of age will enjoy this picture book (Rocky Pond/an imprint of Penguin Random House) 2023.
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Activity Questions for Very Good Hats
For young children: There are many pictures of hats that are for wearing in this book. Do you have a favorite? Why? Now look at your own collection of hats and draw a picture of them to add to this story. Be sure to include the hats that you wear in all seasons. Parents can help you find them.
For slightly older children: Look at the front and back covers of this book and find the following hats: the hat that you think is the funniest shape, the hat that you think would be the warmest and the hat that you would like to have. Next, find the following types of hats: a fedora, a bowler, a tam, a French beret, and a top hat. Mom and Dad can help.
On the first spread there is a picture of a store called a Haberdashery. Look this word up in a dictionary or online with the help of Mom and Dad. Find out how to pronounce it and what it means. Add this word to your List of New Words.
