Hamilton's Hats

by Martine Oborne, Axel Scheffler

Hamilton the Pig is very fond of hats - big hats, small hats, tall hats and suitable-for-every-and-any-occasion sort of hats. Hamilton loves hats so much his mum starts to worry that he's a very vain little pig. Little does she know that Hamilton's favourite hats will teach him some very important lessons

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1961

Reviews

[Franci · Rating 4 out of 5]

#83 of 2020

Very nice story about caring. Lovely illustrations.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

With typically flamboyant illustrations by the impeccable Axel Scheffler, Martine Osborne's fun book tells the tale of Hamilton the pig and his collection of hats.

Hamilton was very fond of hats and he had 'so many hats that you would need more than all your fingers and toes to count them' [I never thought I would be compared to a pig but I do have quite a number of hats and the same could be said for me!]. His mother thought him very vain and she told him 'You have many lessons to learn in life and you will learn none of them from hats!'

How wrong she was because Hamilton learnt quite a lot from going out in his various hats as he had experiences with a giraffe when he was wearing his stovepipe topper, a crocodile when wearing his fierce, pointy snap-your-tail-off sort of hat, a troop of monkeys when wearing his round, bouncy, let's-play-catch sort of hat and finally a cute little mouse when he was wearing possibly his smallest hat, a soft, teeny, let's-cuddle-up sort of hat. And he came out of all the meetings in good spirits and, except for the last meeting with the mouse who he wrapped up in his hat to keep him warm, complete with his hat back on his head.

So, happy, hungry and hatless he returned home and set to making a new hat to replace the one he had just given away.

Good fun and with superbly designed front and rear endpapers that display 120 varieties of hat. I never realised there were so many hats, despite my collection, which I do wear but fortunately do not get into the kind of situations that Hamilton did!

[Qurat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton is a Pig who is fond of every type of hat. This is an obsession that his mother gets worried about. The language of this book is easier for children to read which would encourage them to expand their knowledge of different vocabulary in English.

Although this book has an engaging storyline, it also has a moral/theme to it, as Hamilton learns patience and kindness. These elements make this book a wonderful resource for subtle moral lessons. Children are able to develop the understanding of different thoughts and feelings, as Hamilton was obsessed with hates.

Hamilton's hats is a fun, brightly coloured book that can be used to crate fun activities incorporating hats and role play. Children can be creative by creating their own hats and decorating them.

[Aleha Begum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was enjoyed by a year 1 class during story time. It's about a Pig who is very fond of all sorts of hats for any occasion. The illustrations are bright and colourful and keeps the children engaged into the book. The book introduces different animals and uses very good adjectives to describe the hats.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel Schleffer's art work is endearing as always - Miss 4 loves the sleepy monkeys (and the many, many hats). She also likes the hand-made at the end to remind him that he is determined, brave, patient, and kind.

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Louisa May · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book, the illustrations were lovely. I used this book to do an activity on hat making, which this book is a great stimulus for. It really motivated the children. However I feel this book isn’t particularly useful as a great literacy example.

[Rebecca Kurien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton's mother calling him out on his vanity was a hilarious touch! The interiors have an assortment of hats for the reader to look and 'choose' from, police hat, fireman hat, feathery hat etc. You'll see how your child's tastes change from month to month. A precious story !

[Christine Danielewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delights my students as much as it delighted my own children 20 years ago. It's such a fun way to learn new vocabulary, develop descriptive language, explore feelings, and discuss the plethora of questions that kids ask.

[Samantha Prodromou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[Hilâl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just knowww this pig is a Jamiroquai fan.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hamilton has lots of hats. His mother is a bit worried that his obsession with hats is just making him vain. But as Hamilton goes around in his various pieces of unique headgear, he learns some unexpected lessons.

This book had a lot more meat to it than I first expected. The lessons Hamilton learns about perseverance, patience, and kindness are fantastic, and the hats make the story entertaining. A good read for Hat Days or kids who need subtle moral lessons.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening page reminded me a little of The Berenstein Bear's Old Hat, New Hat . I didn't like it quite as much, however, it would be a lot easier to read to a group of kids. Some beautiful adjectives used, and I especially love the illustrations of the monkeys swiping his "round, bouncy let's-play-catch sort of hat".
Wouldn't mind access to his his hat wardrobe either ;)

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juice the Pig has a huge collection of hats and his mother thinks he is very vain for it. But Juice learns all sorts of life-lessons while wearing his hats...determination, bravery, patience, and kindness.


Used for "Got Milk?, Got Water?, Got Juice?" Storytime-April, 2010.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darling book for young kids. It incorporates lessons on various desirable character traits.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virtue: Generosity/ spirit of giving

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun enjoyable book. My 4 year old loves it!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must-have if you're working on a hat theme