“For Mr. Pockles, going without a hat is as unthinkable as going around without any pants on.” He has millions of hats, for every occasion–an Eating His Cornflakes hat, a Drinking Cups of Tea hat, and even an In the Bath hat–but for some reason, he doesn’t have any friends. One day, when Lady CoCo Fitz-Tulip–a Very Important Panda–finds that her hat has been gobbled up by some hungry bunnies, Mr. Pockles knows just how to help. Overflowing with silliness, here’s a charming celebration of friendship, inclusion, and the joy of sharing. How will Mr. Pockles save the day and get to enjoy all of his hats at once? Read the book to find out!
Reviews of Hats Off for Mr. Pockles!
The drolly humorous story is told in a strong narrative voice, with melodramatic flair, clever dialogue, and distinctive personalities… delicately threaded with some subtle lessons about sharing, making friends, and including everyone.” –Kirkus starred review
read more…“A lonely dachshund named Mr. Pockles finds new friends when he shares his extensive collection of elaborately decorated hats with other animals from his town. Mr. Pockles lives all alone in his house with a hat-shaped roof, surrounded by his collection of imaginative hats, each one named and adorned with thematic decorations for every occasion. He longs to attend the Hat Day celebration at the PandaPolitan Club, but only pandas are allowed at the exclusive destination. While stopping in a bakery for a treat to cheer himself up, Mr. Pockles meets Lady Coco Fitz-Tulip, a grande dame of the panda set on her way to the Hat Day event. She is wearing a Carmen Miranda-style hat covered with fruit, and in a hilarious sequence, her hat is eaten by baby bunnies. Mr. Pockles invites Lady Fitz-Tulip and the other animals from the cafe back to his house, where they all choose new hats. Lady Fitz-Tulip takes everyone to Hat Day as her special guests, as “friends of pandas are invited, too.” The drolly humorous story is told in a strong narrative voice, with melodramatic flair, clever dialogue, and distinctive personalities for both Mr. Pockles and Lady Fitz-Tulip. Vibrant mixed-media illustrations use a cool palette with jewel-toned accents and glowing lights in the city buildings that impart a fairy-tale aura to the setting. This amusing story is delicately threaded with some subtle lessons about sharing, making friends, and including everyone. (Picture book. 4-8)” Kirkus Starred Review
Bonus Reading Tip
Children (and grown ups too) will love talking about and comparing their favorite hats! Use the opportunity to build vocabulary– explore colors and shapes with younger readers; older kids can learn style and design. Make or draw your own hats, and give them fancy important sounding names– like a Reading a Book hat for instance! 😉
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