We Found a Hat

Two turtles discover a white hat in the desert and both admire how it looks on each of them. Since they cannot share the hat, they make a mutual decision to leave it behind. The story unfolds in three parts across a day and into nighttime, with Klassen's signature minimalist illustrations in muted desert tones. The spare text and subtle facial expressions of the turtles carry the narrative tension. The book is part of Klassen's acclaimed "Hat Trilogy," though it stands alone as its own story. Like its companions, it uses simple art and understated humor to explore bigger ideas. This seemingly straightforward picture book examines friendship, temptation, and the choice between personal desire and loyalty to others. Through its desert setting and nighttime scenes, it creates a contemplative mood that serves its deeper themes.

Readers call this book a fitting conclusion to Klassen's hat trilogy, noting its focus on friendship and morality. Parents appreciate how it prompts discussions with children about right versus wrong. Readers liked: - The minimal art style and expressive turtle eyes - The book's pacing and use of page turns for suspense - The powerful message about resisting temptation - The satisfying ending that rewards honesty Common criticisms: - Some found it too slow or repetitive - A few parents said their young children lost interest - The humor felt more subtle than Klassen's previous hat books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (450+ ratings) "The illustrations say so much with so little," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. An Amazon reviewer noted: "My 4-year-old loves studying the turtles' expressions and predicting what will happen next." Several teachers mentioned using the book to teach sharing and friendship in early elementary classrooms.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen A bear searches for his missing hat in this story about theft, truth, and consequences.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems A monster learns about friendship when his attempts to scare others do not go according to plan.

The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-to-Be by Mini Grey A pea tells the truth about what happened in the classic princess and the pea tale from an unexpected perspective.

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen A small fish steals a hat from a big fish and faces the results of his choices.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka Traditional fairy tales receive a subversive twist that turns expectations upside down.

🎩 This book completed Klassen's celebrated "Hat Trilogy," alongside "I Want My Hat Back" and "This Is Not My Hat," which collectively sold over 2 million copies worldwide. 🏆 Jon Klassen became the first creator to win both the American Caldecott Medal and the British Kate Greenaway Medal for the same work with his book "This Is Not My Hat" in 2014. 🎨 Klassen's distinctive illustration style was influenced by his work as an animator at Laika Studios, where he contributed to the film "Coraline." 🐢 Unlike Klassen's previous hat books which end with comeuppance for the hat thief, "We Found a Hat" breaks the pattern by celebrating friendship over personal desire. 🌵 Desert tortoises, like the characters in the book, can live up to 50-80 years and form lasting social bonds with other tortoises in their habitat.