I Want My Hat Back, The Hat Trilogy 1

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 bear's 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.

Review: "[...] 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 5's and giggles for the over 25's (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. It's the most subtle endorsement of murder you'll ever find." * GQ *
"Fed up with reading sugar-coated bedtime stories? Try Jon Klassen's black-humoured book about a bear trying to track down his missing hat, which your delighted tot will spot long before our hapless detective. There's 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 *
It's a beautifully constructed, immaculately told joke. The kind I wish I had told. -- Dave Shelton * Books for Keeps *
Voted one of the 100 Greatest Picture Books of All Time * BBC *
Told with deadpan humour, this is a story full of big feelings that small children will recognise. Plus, for those with the inclination, there are opportunities to do lots of wacky voices. * The i Paper, The best bedtime books of all time *

Prizes: Winner of Bank Street College Irma Black Award Honor Book 2012 (United States) and English 4-11 Book Awards Leicester 2012 (UK) and German Youth Literature Award (Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis) 2013 (Germany) and Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award 2012 (United States) and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 2012 (United States). Short-listed for Kate Greenaway Medal (CILIP) 2013 (UK) and Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2012 (UK). Long-listed for Kate Greenaway Medal (CILIP) 2013 (UK). Nominated for Cybils Award, Fiction Picture Books 2011 (United States) and E. B. White Read-Aloud Award, Picture Books 2012 (United States) and Goodreads Choice Award 2011 (United States) and Colorado Children's Book Award 2013 (United States).