Old Hats and New Crowns

story time

GOOD BOOKS FOR BIGS AND LITTLES

Old Hat

Currently in Toddlerland (otherwise known as my home) the toddlers are expressing their love of books in different ways. One is practicing reading her first words. The other is throwing books on the floor and demanding they be read aloud first thing in the morning from adult lips that haven't yet touched the life-affirming elixir we commonly refer to as coffee.

To each his own.

One of the current favorites: Old Hat by Emily Gravett.

I'm always impressed by the storytelling efficiency of children's book authors and Gravett's treatment of Harbet's (the protagonist's) inner and outer transformation is no exception. There are at least two "twists" in this short, simple book: first, when Harbet begins to doubt the value of his favorite hat and, second, when he chooses his final hat.

a good hat

IS HARD TO FIND

I try to make a big deal of the taunting laughter of Harbet's fashionista frenemies, and that always makes my son chuckle. I don't think he really gets the joke, but what does it matter? I laugh, then he laughs, then I laugh at him laughing and...he he he...everybody's laughing.

The best part of the book, by far, is it's message, which is delivered as lightheartedly as the rest of the book: Being yourself is the best "look" of all.

King Baby

King Baby by Kate Beaton is another book guaranteed to garner some giggles. Beaton's illustrations do some of this--like the puffed-up parents beckoning visitors to admire their new son only to be transformed into destroyed humans in sweatpants just two pages later. The narration--told from the point of view of a tiny dictator who only puts up with his caregivers due to his mobility deficits--seals the deal. My children were delighted with King Baby himself and I suspect many parents will relate to his humble servants who, just as King Baby transforms into a slightly more benevolent Big Boy face yet another, very familiar challenge.

Do your tiny dictators have favorite books? Share them in the comments section...I'm gonna go grab a coffee.

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