Hooray for Perfect Picture Book Friday sponsored by the lovely Susanna Leonard Hill!
Title: Do YOU Have a Hat?
Written by Eileen Spinelli and Illustrated by Geraldo Valerio
2004 by Simon and Schuster
Suitable for: ages 3+
Themes: hats, historical figures, rhyme
“Do YOU have a hat? Something fuzzy, warm, and red, to keep the snowflakes off your head? Or maybe floppy-brimmed and blue, when summer sun shines down on you? Do YOU have a hat?” Next the author and illustrator introduce all sorts of famous people in history who wore memorable hats-some more famous than others. Did you know that Francisco de Goya wore a hat with candles on the brim? (Do you know who Francisco de Goya is? I readily admit I did not. I had to Google him!)
Link: Wild Geese Guides This site provides a great lesson plan to accompany the story + curricular links!
Why I like this book: I like this book for several reasons. First of all, I like hats. Secondly, Eileen Spinelli is one of THE most amazing authors for young children. I love the rhythm and rhyme in the story and the bright whimsical illustrations. Children are introduced to great historical figures like Carmen Miranda and Walt Whitman within a comprehensible context. My favorite line is, “Isabelle of Bavaria had a hat, a cone-shaped hat so very high it poked a gargoyle in the eye.” This book is hysterical and educational!
Land of the Librarian 
This sounds like a very fun book, Kelly! What an entertaining and accessible way to introduce kids to historical figures! I will definitely have to find it and read it! But first, I will have to google Francisco because, no, I don’t know who that is either 🙂
Okay, so I’m glad I’m not the only one who did not know who Francisco de Goya was! It’s pretty neat when we can learn something new from a pb! 🙂
I’ve never heard of this one and I love Eileen Spinelli too. That orange is gorgeous! Thanks Kelly
The cover is great, isn’t it! 🙂 All of the illustrations are gorgeous-that’s one of the reasons I really like this book.
I like hats too and I know I would love this book! Thanks for the review!
You’re welcome, Loni!
I can’t resist a book full of great rhymes. Love the funny books. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy to share, Jennifer 🙂
I LOVE this book! It’s AWESOME! Thanks for the reminder.
I love your enthusiasm, Christie! So glad you love it! 🙂
Ooooh. I love books where we can research and explore famous people. I’d love to teach my kids about Walt Whitman. Thanks for this resource.
I think that this book has the potential to spark interest in learning more about these famous people-simply because of the crazy hats! Research away! 🙂
Kelly, another great selection. Was recently introduced to Eileen Spinelli, but have not seen this book. I can imagine the kids would be rolling with laughter. Another PPB!
I was definitely rolling with laughter when I read it! I haven’t read this one aloud yet, but I will have to fit it into a lesson soon. Thanks, Pat!
Love your choice of book and excellent review. Love to read all the interesting people and their choices of hats. Sounds like a lot of fun to read.
Thanks Kelly.
Thanks so much, Diane!
What a nifty way to introduce what sounds like a diverse bunch of historical figures. Uncle Walt and Carmen Miranda in the same book? Who would have thought! 🙂
I know, right? I’m not sure these folks have much more in common other than being famous and wearing crazy hats! (but who know?) I
I know who Francisco de Goya is (art school), but I had no idea he wore candles on his hat! It doesn’t sound like a good idea with all of the turpentine hanging around the oil paints he would have used. An excellent book recommendation!
I agree! Just a bit of a fire hazard!
I like hysterical and educational.
Me, too. You can’t do much better than that! 🙂