From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale.When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . . Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale. Caldecott Medal – 2013
- ISBN: 9780763655990
- Author: Klassen, Jon
- Published: 2012, Candlewick Press
- Themes: fish, Mysteries, Values and virtues
- Descriptors: Caldecott, Canada, Early Years (ages 2-6), Picture Book
- No. of pages: 40
Angeline P. Hoffman
The black background and the little fish with a hat on attracted me to this book and of course the author and illustrator, Jon Klassen. When I saw the worried look of the eyes of the little fish with the hat on, it brought me into the world of this fish. I wondered, “Why, is this fish wearing a hat?” The question comes back to my response to the title of the book, “This is not my hat.” I began to open the book and respond to the story and illustrations, because I was curious about the fish wearing a hat that he stole.
The color of the illustrations attracted me to this book because of the black background and the fish, plants and other colors that brings out the emotions of this story. Because the little fish misbehaved (and I say that based on the title of the story, “This is not my hat,” and the look on the fish [worried], not happy). In addition to the illustrations, the text is geared to young readers and is simply direct.
In this story, a lesson is learned through the little fish’s wrong deed and the reader’s response: Is it right or wrong to steal a hat? What will the consequences be? As we all agree, it is wrong to steal.
The little fish tells how he stole the hat and where he will hide. And the fish doesn’t to trust anyone because they might reveal where it is being hidden.
The conclusion of the story has the big fish is coming out from where the plants are big and tall and close together [this is where the little fish is hiding]. . . Where is the little fish?
This is a good story to read aloud to students . . . K-Second grade or even older. The lesson of stealing and the consequences that comes with doing something wrong is important to learn. The reader, as well as myself, learned a valuable lesson about doing what’s right just because you desire something that is not yours, it does not give you the right to take it.
Seemi Aziz
Here Jon again brings in the right and wrong perceptions of stealing and lying. He forces the reader to think about the issue that any and every child may face in their young or later lives. The illustrations are again simple but effective. I agree that the stark black background of the cover and the presence of a single fish with a hat intrigue the reader and invites him/her in. These illustrations push the audience to reflect and react to the written as well as the visual narratives. I very much agree with your take, “The reader as well as myself, learned a valuable lesson about doing what’s right, not what’s wrong, just because you desire something that is not yours, does not give you the right to take it.” I also agree that both the books written and illustrated by Jon are great ones for read aloud as well as to teach the concepts of inference.