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Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat
For all fans of Barry the Fish with Fingers and Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell comes another crazy character for kids to love...Meet Keith.Keith is a cat with a magic hat - or, at least, that's what the other cats think. But when, one day, Keith's hat falls off, it seems that magic is still possible after all!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 4, 2020
Keith feels silly when an ice cream lands on his head and all the other cats laugh at him. Keith says it is a magic hat and ends up looking like he can do magic when in fact each time it is a coincidence. Keith helps his friends escape from a dog and they all realise Keith is a great friend even without his magic hat. A lovely story about inclusion which children are likely to engage with and find funny. I'd read the book mainly in KS1.
February 3, 2013
Hey all, this is my 9th review: 'Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat' by Sue Hendra. Recently, I read this book to my year 2 class. The sense of wonder and imagination that Sue Hendra is able to create in this text is remarkable.
In summary, the story relates to a cat named Keith who has a hat made from ice-cream. However, this is no ordinary cat as I soon find out. After,loosing his cat Keith is finally able to realise that he may have magical powers. Indeed, when Keith is confronted by a dog, he climbs up a tree, in the process of climbing the tall tree the cat looses his hat. Amazingly, the hat falls on the dog's head, soon afterwards a swarm of bees gather around the dog. This presents the opportunity for Keith to descend from the tree.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, suitable for all Key Stage 1 pupils. The accompanying illustrations to the text deeply resonate with the children and help to foster curiosity.
The book can be used in guided reading to monitor children's progression.In my class, we used the book as a focal point for imaginative writing. In this regard, children were encouraged to write about a magic hat they would like to have. Also, I used this book during 'circle time' to explore individuality and how judgements should not be made about people's appearances.
In summary, the story relates to a cat named Keith who has a hat made from ice-cream. However, this is no ordinary cat as I soon find out. After,loosing his cat Keith is finally able to realise that he may have magical powers. Indeed, when Keith is confronted by a dog, he climbs up a tree, in the process of climbing the tall tree the cat looses his hat. Amazingly, the hat falls on the dog's head, soon afterwards a swarm of bees gather around the dog. This presents the opportunity for Keith to descend from the tree.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, suitable for all Key Stage 1 pupils. The accompanying illustrations to the text deeply resonate with the children and help to foster curiosity.
The book can be used in guided reading to monitor children's progression.In my class, we used the book as a focal point for imaginative writing. In this regard, children were encouraged to write about a magic hat they would like to have. Also, I used this book during 'circle time' to explore individuality and how judgements should not be made about people's appearances.
November 4, 2019
This is our 2nd Sue Hendra book we picked to read. We (Kids and Me) liked ‘Norman the slug with the silly shell’ over this book. Kids enjoyed the images - dandelion puffs, honey bees, cute Keith the cat, dog, ice-creams and the magical words. Cheerful reading!
June 7, 2019
Keith: The Cat with the Magic Hat by Sue Hendra. PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $15. 9781481490351.
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Keith the Cat is suddenly the center of attention when an ice cream cone lands on his head. Hoping to make the best of the awkward situation, Keith tells his friends that its a magic hat and then proceeds to produce a couple apparently magic moments. But when a dog shows up and Keith most needs to be magical, will his hat come through in a pinch?!
This is a simple book with no real purpose beyond telling a funny little story. Younger readers will appreciate the silly predicament Keith finds himself in, how he manages to pull of the magic and fool his friends, and especially the ending. The illustrations are very bright and colorful. All that being said, there's nothing here that will be especially memorable for most readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Keith the Cat is suddenly the center of attention when an ice cream cone lands on his head. Hoping to make the best of the awkward situation, Keith tells his friends that its a magic hat and then proceeds to produce a couple apparently magic moments. But when a dog shows up and Keith most needs to be magical, will his hat come through in a pinch?!
This is a simple book with no real purpose beyond telling a funny little story. Younger readers will appreciate the silly predicament Keith finds himself in, how he manages to pull of the magic and fool his friends, and especially the ending. The illustrations are very bright and colorful. All that being said, there's nothing here that will be especially memorable for most readers.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 5, 2023
That Keith sees possibilities. Goodreaders, you can tell this by Page 6. An ice cream cone has fallen from the sky and landed on his head:
* Strawberry ice cream with sprinkles is dripping down his face.
* Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips is sliding down his face.
* And the expression on Keith's cat face is wild and free and so inspired.
He calls what he has now "a magic hat."
In a way this story is super-silly. In a different way, it could be considered creative and brave.
Either way, this FIVE STAR book is perfect for preschooler kids who also believe they can do ANYTHING.
* Strawberry ice cream with sprinkles is dripping down his face.
* Chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips is sliding down his face.
* And the expression on Keith's cat face is wild and free and so inspired.
He calls what he has now "a magic hat."
In a way this story is super-silly. In a different way, it could be considered creative and brave.
Either way, this FIVE STAR book is perfect for preschooler kids who also believe they can do ANYTHING.
January 21, 2019
As an elementary school librarian, I absolutely LOVED this brightly illustrated book by Sue Hendra. The main character, Keith, is a cat who actually has an ice cream cone upside down on his head. The animals he encounters think it is a magic hat and the story evolves from there! I plan to use in the library for story time with lots of sounds for the students to make: PLOP for the ice cream cone, Meow for the cat, POP for the rabbits and so many more! Magical words like "Abacadabra" and "Alacazoo" will so much fun for the kids to say in unison! Fun!
November 11, 2016
Another favourite of mine to read to my kids I'm not exaggerating when I say I've read this to my children one too many times lol but they never seem to get bored of it so obviously it's a great children's book. It centers around keith who gets his friends to think he has magic powers from his hat (in fact a ice cream cone on his head) only problem is when he loses it but magic seems to be happening after all!! Great kids book!
November 8, 2022
This book is absolutely hysterical. It follows Keith the cat getting laughed at by the fellow cats. To stop their mockery, Keith tells them he has got a magical hat, which really is an ice cream cone upside down. He convinces them of his magic thanks to help from some ants. However, when a scary dog comes to torment the cats, he admits to his lies. Although manages to scare the dog away without magic and is the hero.
April 6, 2024
I wasn't a big fan of this one. A mysterious ice cream cone comes flying through the air and lands on a cat's head. The other cats make fun of him, so he tells them it is a magic hat. Then coincidental things happen, and the other cats think the hat really is magic. I just wasn't entertained by this.
September 19, 2017
Early Years
I read this book to my Son (2 years old) and he enjoyed the illustrations and the story.
Although i enjoyed this book I'm not too sure how i could incorporate it into a lesson and maybe best used for early years as a reading book.
I read this book to my Son (2 years old) and he enjoyed the illustrations and the story.
Although i enjoyed this book I'm not too sure how i could incorporate it into a lesson and maybe best used for early years as a reading book.
October 3, 2017
Having read nd enjoyed Barry the fish with fingers, I was excited to read one by Sue Hendra. I love how she uses such 'plain/normal' names for her characters! The cat, Keith, thinks quickly.on his feet when made to feel embarrassed...and what happens next is sure to make any child giggle!
August 31, 2018
A super funny book about a cat who gets an ice cream cone on his head so he calls it a magic hat. He tries to go with his lie and say he can do magic for the other cats. A little too long for storytime but super funny.
December 29, 2018
With some luck and creativity, Keith turns an accident into a magical event for his cat friends who tease him. The sparkly cover and cat-themed title caught my preschooler's attention, and it's a silly, 4-minute read that's good for bedtime.
June 20, 2019
6/20/2019 ~ Cute, but contrived; good for our youngest listeners. Kids will enjoy the illustrations that accompany the "magic wand." Theme: standing up for oneself in the face of mean peers. This book was originally published in the UK in 2012.
September 15, 2023
Keith the cat accidentally ends up with an ice cream cone stuck on his head. The story is about being creative and clever to make the best of a potentially embarrassing situation. A very fun picture book.
October 14, 2024
Fun picture book and concept (a fallen ice cream cone as a hat!), but the digital illustrations add nothing to the moving plot.
Themes: cats, hats, humor, magic
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2012
Themes: cats, hats, humor, magic
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2012
August 26, 2017
Not a big fan of cats but love Keith! 😀😺
November 7, 2017
Cat and magic, what more could you ask for. Such an adorable read with cute pictures.
October 13, 2018
Read this to my class and they LOVED it, thought it was hilarious! I enjoyed it too!
April 15, 2019
Excellent book!
June 19, 2019
(3.5)
December 6, 2019
Some nice characters, but all superficial/little development. Nice coloured illustrations.
February 18, 2020
Notably this book features Cadbury's 99 flake :) a european candy!
Read
March 10, 2020Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat started as strong as Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell, but Norman's story is better!
March 15, 2020
Great illustrations!
November 22, 2020
Uses: Fun read aloud -silly!
August 25, 2021
A short, imaginative book. The book fosters curiosity and is humorous.
March 22, 2022
🤎Cats
❤️Funny
🧡Magic
💛Ice cream
💚Lovely end papers - bees and dandelions💙Fun illustrations
💜Roleplay ice cream shop after reading
❤️Funny
🧡Magic
💛Ice cream
💚Lovely end papers - bees and dandelions💙Fun illustrations
💜Roleplay ice cream shop after reading
February 17, 2013
My wife bought this one for me as a joke Christmas present, as I share the protagonist’s name. The cover proudly proclaims that it’s “From the creator of Norman and Barry”, so Hendra clearly has a liking for traditional British names.
Keith for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
The book tells the story of Keith the cat, who one day has an ice cream cone dropped on his head. There’s no explanation as to where the ice cream comes from – perhaps it drops from space or pops in from an alternate universe. However, I have made a careful analysis of the artwork, and I believe that it is a three scoop vanilla, strawberry and chocolate cone with a flake and sprinkles.
Keith’s friends tease him about it, and to cover his embarrassment, he claims that the ice cream is in fact a magic hat (the flake conveniently fulfilling the role of a magic wand). He begins to perform tricks, all of which are simply coincidences, but his feline friends lap it up (pun intended).
Eventually, the cats are chased up a tree by a dog and they ask Keith to magic the dog away. Whilst thinking, the ice cream drops off Keith’s head and lands on the dog, who is then chased away by a swarm of very happy looking wasps. Keith is then pronounced the cats’ hero.
It’s only on a second reading that I noticed that the wasps gradually build up throughout the book – a clever bit of visual foreshadowing. In fact the art work is consistently excellent – bright colours and bold shapes with some nice characterisation on the faces.
The only niggle for me is the morality of the tale. On the one hand it shows a character who triumphs through his resourcefulness, but on the other it shows that lying can be a successful strategy. I’m not convinced it can just be called pretending or make-believe as the other cats seem to fully believe Keith’s assertion that the ice cream is a magic hat and he never says otherwise, even when they are in danger. Whilst lying arguably has real life benefits in some instances, I’m not sure this is the sort of lesson I want my three and four year olds to learn just yet.
Verdict: A bright colourful and fun story, with some curious morality.
Keith for www.bigbooklittlebook.com
The book tells the story of Keith the cat, who one day has an ice cream cone dropped on his head. There’s no explanation as to where the ice cream comes from – perhaps it drops from space or pops in from an alternate universe. However, I have made a careful analysis of the artwork, and I believe that it is a three scoop vanilla, strawberry and chocolate cone with a flake and sprinkles.
Keith’s friends tease him about it, and to cover his embarrassment, he claims that the ice cream is in fact a magic hat (the flake conveniently fulfilling the role of a magic wand). He begins to perform tricks, all of which are simply coincidences, but his feline friends lap it up (pun intended).
Eventually, the cats are chased up a tree by a dog and they ask Keith to magic the dog away. Whilst thinking, the ice cream drops off Keith’s head and lands on the dog, who is then chased away by a swarm of very happy looking wasps. Keith is then pronounced the cats’ hero.
It’s only on a second reading that I noticed that the wasps gradually build up throughout the book – a clever bit of visual foreshadowing. In fact the art work is consistently excellent – bright colours and bold shapes with some nice characterisation on the faces.
The only niggle for me is the morality of the tale. On the one hand it shows a character who triumphs through his resourcefulness, but on the other it shows that lying can be a successful strategy. I’m not convinced it can just be called pretending or make-believe as the other cats seem to fully believe Keith’s assertion that the ice cream is a magic hat and he never says otherwise, even when they are in danger. Whilst lying arguably has real life benefits in some instances, I’m not sure this is the sort of lesson I want my three and four year olds to learn just yet.
Verdict: A bright colourful and fun story, with some curious morality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews