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No! That's Wrong!
When is a hat not a hat? (And when are underpants not underpants? A serendipitous breeze starts off this playful journey which begs the seemingly simple question, "When is a hat, not a hat?" Along the way, Rabbit manages to learn a little bit about friendship, fashion, and the importance of believing in himself.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2008
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 26, 2008
My pick for the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award of 2008! (so far...) A heeelarious story about a rabbit wearing underwear as a hat, not understanding, of course, that it's underwear. Every animal he meets admires his new hat, while an "off camera" narrator keeps insisting "No! That's wrong. It's not a hat." An award winner because of repetitive text and wonderfully challenging adjectives like "magnificent", "fantastic", and "incredible". A donkey tries to convince the rabbit that he is, indeed, wearing underwear on his head, which the rabbit believes for a bit, until his friends reassure him that yes! he IS wearing a hat. Those same friends are shown on the end papers wearing a backpack, a tie, a sock, and a couple of fountain pen tops on their heads. Awesome!
January 23, 2013
Kids couldn't stop laughing!
March 16, 2008
Vast Quasi-Generational Fact of the Day: Underpants are funny. I’m sorry, but they are. Whether you call them bloomers or knickers or panties or undies, the fact of the matter remains that they amuse everybody. Adults watch Saturday Night Live sketches where Will Ferrell walks about in a thong and children’s books have Captain Underpants. Now I knew that underwear was funny to Americans, sure. But until I read No! That’s Wrong! by the dynamic duo Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu I had NO idea that it was a universal love. You want to make a case for the common humanity of man? Well just hand this book, translated naturally, to anyone on this planet and I’ll bet you that a good 75% get the joke. Ji and Xu bring us a tale where a community supports the protagonist's originality and it is the stuffy individual that tries to instill a sense of “normality”.
On a windy day a pair of red undies fly off a laundry line and directly into the path of a meandering rabbit. The rabbit takes one glance and immediately knows what he has in his possession. “It’s a hat!” At this point an omniscient narrator attempts to intervene and inform the rabbit of its mistake. “No, that’s wrong. It’s not a hat.” Paying scant attention to this advice the rabbit tries the hat on his other friends. Each one is impressed by the find, though it’s clear that the undies fit the rabbit's head best. Unfortunately a donkey in purple sneakers informs the rabbit of its huge mistake. Shown the “error” of its ways, the bunny attempts to wear the underwear on its bum, but nobody (aside from the narrator and the donkey) thinks that this is a good idea. The rabbit considers the matter, releases the border of the pages so that the narrator can’t interfere any longer, and in a final leaping display of pleasure declares loud and long and strong, “It’s a wonderful hat!” And that is all there is to that.
Geez oh petes, there's all kinds of stuff going on in this book. First of all, there’s the current Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus trend of breaking down the fourth wall and allowing the reader the chance to affect a picture book character’s actions. That’s huge. There’s the fact that the other animals in the community are totally behind the rabbit’s decision to wear the underwear as a hat and protest vehemently when he tries to wear them “correctly”. There’s the fact that the rabbit ultimately rejects the narrator’s advice by tearing apart the very borders of the book, allowing the watercolored background to seep into the white border around each page. And finally there’s the fact that the underwear on that rabbit’s head isn’t boxer briefs or even tighty whities. No, these are bright red, very lacy, rather sexy panties. I LOVE this choice. It is incredibly funny for a rabbit to wear something out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue on its head and later on its tuchis. It also takes a bit of guts on the artists' part, so kudos all around!
Speaking of the artists', the work in this book is a remarkably successful mix of beautiful watercolor scenes of nature alongside hugely amusing characters. The beauty will probably be the first thing you spot when you open the book. Potted plants are just seas of foggy green with tiny speckles of white and black dotting the scenes, giving them depth. The buildings appear to be Chinese with lush purple mountains sitting in the background. Inside the forest itself the trees take on brilliant royal blues with purple backgrounds and a kind of green mist alongside the path. It is rare to find a book that is amusing and also, when you stop to look at it, exceedingly lovely. Kids will find the rabbit and his panties funny and adults will agree to read the book 100 times over and over if only to get another look at the hues and tones that permeate each page.
I love the publisher Kane/Miller because they're not afraid to find and translation some of the most talented children’s book artists from around the world. There is, however, one bone I must pick about this book. It concerns the endpapers. Open up the front cover of this book. The very first thing you see, before you even get to the title page, is a remarkably peaceful scene of hanging pants, socks, and other accessories. Then you read the story and forget all about those items until you reach the end of the book. There, on the back endpapers, are all the animals we’ve seen before modeling the pants, socks, etc. as hats of their own. And there, in the lower right-hand corner, is the donkey who is now wholly and completely shocked. This is a great way to open and close the story, but it makes the book a problem for libraries. A lot of library systems glue the bookflaps of their titles to the inside front and back covers, a move that will completely obliterate the donkey (not to mention the benign crocodile). It’s not Kane/Miller’s fault, of course. They can’t exactly go about making 36 page picture books (32 being the standard length). Still, it seems a shame to know that this is one little detail that will get lost to a lot of kids reading the book. Libraries should not be surprised if they find their circulating copies torn or ripped as overeager 5-year-olds try to get a peek at the action.
This is the first picture book of Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu. Hitting just the right tone of voice, artistic style, and storyline, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else Kane/Miller will be able to show us from this incredible team. A beauty of a book that will have kids rolling in the aisles, this is how to write a picture book, ladies and gentlemen.
Ages 3-8.
On a windy day a pair of red undies fly off a laundry line and directly into the path of a meandering rabbit. The rabbit takes one glance and immediately knows what he has in his possession. “It’s a hat!” At this point an omniscient narrator attempts to intervene and inform the rabbit of its mistake. “No, that’s wrong. It’s not a hat.” Paying scant attention to this advice the rabbit tries the hat on his other friends. Each one is impressed by the find, though it’s clear that the undies fit the rabbit's head best. Unfortunately a donkey in purple sneakers informs the rabbit of its huge mistake. Shown the “error” of its ways, the bunny attempts to wear the underwear on its bum, but nobody (aside from the narrator and the donkey) thinks that this is a good idea. The rabbit considers the matter, releases the border of the pages so that the narrator can’t interfere any longer, and in a final leaping display of pleasure declares loud and long and strong, “It’s a wonderful hat!” And that is all there is to that.
Geez oh petes, there's all kinds of stuff going on in this book. First of all, there’s the current Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus trend of breaking down the fourth wall and allowing the reader the chance to affect a picture book character’s actions. That’s huge. There’s the fact that the other animals in the community are totally behind the rabbit’s decision to wear the underwear as a hat and protest vehemently when he tries to wear them “correctly”. There’s the fact that the rabbit ultimately rejects the narrator’s advice by tearing apart the very borders of the book, allowing the watercolored background to seep into the white border around each page. And finally there’s the fact that the underwear on that rabbit’s head isn’t boxer briefs or even tighty whities. No, these are bright red, very lacy, rather sexy panties. I LOVE this choice. It is incredibly funny for a rabbit to wear something out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue on its head and later on its tuchis. It also takes a bit of guts on the artists' part, so kudos all around!
Speaking of the artists', the work in this book is a remarkably successful mix of beautiful watercolor scenes of nature alongside hugely amusing characters. The beauty will probably be the first thing you spot when you open the book. Potted plants are just seas of foggy green with tiny speckles of white and black dotting the scenes, giving them depth. The buildings appear to be Chinese with lush purple mountains sitting in the background. Inside the forest itself the trees take on brilliant royal blues with purple backgrounds and a kind of green mist alongside the path. It is rare to find a book that is amusing and also, when you stop to look at it, exceedingly lovely. Kids will find the rabbit and his panties funny and adults will agree to read the book 100 times over and over if only to get another look at the hues and tones that permeate each page.
I love the publisher Kane/Miller because they're not afraid to find and translation some of the most talented children’s book artists from around the world. There is, however, one bone I must pick about this book. It concerns the endpapers. Open up the front cover of this book. The very first thing you see, before you even get to the title page, is a remarkably peaceful scene of hanging pants, socks, and other accessories. Then you read the story and forget all about those items until you reach the end of the book. There, on the back endpapers, are all the animals we’ve seen before modeling the pants, socks, etc. as hats of their own. And there, in the lower right-hand corner, is the donkey who is now wholly and completely shocked. This is a great way to open and close the story, but it makes the book a problem for libraries. A lot of library systems glue the bookflaps of their titles to the inside front and back covers, a move that will completely obliterate the donkey (not to mention the benign crocodile). It’s not Kane/Miller’s fault, of course. They can’t exactly go about making 36 page picture books (32 being the standard length). Still, it seems a shame to know that this is one little detail that will get lost to a lot of kids reading the book. Libraries should not be surprised if they find their circulating copies torn or ripped as overeager 5-year-olds try to get a peek at the action.
This is the first picture book of Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu. Hitting just the right tone of voice, artistic style, and storyline, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else Kane/Miller will be able to show us from this incredible team. A beauty of a book that will have kids rolling in the aisles, this is how to write a picture book, ladies and gentlemen.
Ages 3-8.
August 16, 2024
A fun tale about what happens when a pair of underwear blows off the clothesline into the hands of a rabbit with fashion sense. This humorous story will bring a smile to anyone who has marched to the beat of their own drum.
February 3, 2022
How do I not have an underwear shelf on Goodreads? Fail. Made one today.
This book.. funny, but I feel like it didn't read well.
This book.. funny, but I feel like it didn't read well.
November 29, 2022
Ok— so, red lacy undies might not be the best for a picture book. Also, there seemed to be some awkward innuendo in the illustration. The format and wording was strange too.
March 11, 2010
In their first picturebook, Chinese illustrating team Ji and Xu offer a ridiculous salute to originality. When a gust of wind drops a pair of frilly red underpants across his path, the rabbit recognizes a good hat when he sees one. The illustrations depict a gorgeous backdrop of magical jewel-toned purple, chartreuse, and turquoise watercolor forest landscapes and a comical assortment of animal characters--all of whom also get a chance to try on the "hat", with varied (and hilarious) results. The text consists solely of dialogue, the majority of the lines being printed on top of the illustrations immediately beside the speakers--almost like a graphic novel, as rabbit appears on the same spread multiple times. Another commentary is going on outside the frame of the illustration, presumably by a bossy outside observer. This layout may be confusing for early readers and makes pointing an absolute must in read-aloud. There's a lot going on in this story, and a good view of the artwork is essential for the text, which would be positively baffling out of its illustrated context. Even though readers will know that the nay-saying donkey –the only clothed animal, in sunglasses, purple high-tops, and plaid shorts (which, by the way, do NOT fit his tail well)—is technically correct when he explains the proper use for underpants, one can’t help but rejoice when the adorable protagonist comes to his own conclusions about the garment. No! That’s Wrong is a hilarious reminder that we don’t live in a one-size-fits-all world.
February 21, 2008
When the wind snatches a pair of red lacy underpants off of a clothes line, a rabbit discovers them. He immediately decides that the underpants are a hat with perfect holes for his ears. He then heads through the woods and other animals try on the underpants as a hat. It isn't until he meets a donkey who proves that they are underpants and should be worn on the other end that the rabbit wears them correctly, but his tail doesn't really fit into them and the other animals ask him why he's wearing a hat that way. So he returns to his original way of wearing the underpants as a hat. The endpapers feature animals wearing all sorts of people clothes in unique ways.
How can you go wrong with a book about underpants being worn wrong?! You can't! It is universal child humor, as proven by the Chinese author and illustrator. One aspect of the book that I love is that there is a grownup, sensible voice at the end of each two-page spread that speaks in vain. The illustrations are great fun, enhancing the tone of the words. In fact, I dare you not to giggle at the crocodile wearing the underpants.
Recommended for reading to only a few children at a time, so that you don't lose control of a larger group. Some of the pages have more detailed drawings which will work best for small groups to giggle at.
How can you go wrong with a book about underpants being worn wrong?! You can't! It is universal child humor, as proven by the Chinese author and illustrator. One aspect of the book that I love is that there is a grownup, sensible voice at the end of each two-page spread that speaks in vain. The illustrations are great fun, enhancing the tone of the words. In fact, I dare you not to giggle at the crocodile wearing the underpants.
Recommended for reading to only a few children at a time, so that you don't lose control of a larger group. Some of the pages have more detailed drawings which will work best for small groups to giggle at.
March 25, 2008
A pair of ruffly red underpants blows off a clothes line and lands near a little white rabbit who immediately places them on his head. "It's a hat," he says. The text at bottom corrects him, "No, that's wrong. It's not a hat." But the rabbit doesn't seem to listen and goes about placing the underpants on the heads of other animals. It takes a donkey to set him straight and let him know he's wearing underpants on his head.
But, if the donkey is right, and they really ARE underpants, where does his tail go?
Along the way, the story introduces a number of adjectives and opposites. For example, the "hat" is too small for an elephant, but too big for a fox, and it's simply amazing, magnificent, incredible...you get the drift.
I really can't think of anything that's much funnier than a bunch of animals with hilarious facial expressions wearing underpants on their heads, and children will laugh out loud at this book and its illustrations. I can just imagine them yelling, "No! That's Wrong," as they turn the pages. Even the back end papers will elicit giggles as readers see a number of animals incorrectly wearing articles of clothing and other objects on their bodies.
If you're looking for a funny book that will make your child (and you) laugh and also introduce some new vocabulary words along the way, this would make an excellent choice.
But, if the donkey is right, and they really ARE underpants, where does his tail go?
Along the way, the story introduces a number of adjectives and opposites. For example, the "hat" is too small for an elephant, but too big for a fox, and it's simply amazing, magnificent, incredible...you get the drift.
I really can't think of anything that's much funnier than a bunch of animals with hilarious facial expressions wearing underpants on their heads, and children will laugh out loud at this book and its illustrations. I can just imagine them yelling, "No! That's Wrong," as they turn the pages. Even the back end papers will elicit giggles as readers see a number of animals incorrectly wearing articles of clothing and other objects on their bodies.
If you're looking for a funny book that will make your child (and you) laugh and also introduce some new vocabulary words along the way, this would make an excellent choice.
March 29, 2008
A pair of bright red, ruffled panties is blown off a clothesline and found by a cute little bunny who decides it must be a hat. All his animal friends love the hat and take turns trying it on, despite the narrator (and a fully-clothed donkey) repeatedly telling them it's not a hat. The clever bunny finally takes care of that pesky narrator once and for all, opening up the margins until his colorful world fills every inch of the page.
There's far too much going on in the terrific illustrations to make this a great read-aloud, but it is perfect for sharing one-on-one. I haven't had the chance to read this with a preschooler yet, but I'm pretty sure three-year-olds will think this book is HYSTERICAL.
There's far too much going on in the terrific illustrations to make this a great read-aloud, but it is perfect for sharing one-on-one. I haven't had the chance to read this with a preschooler yet, but I'm pretty sure three-year-olds will think this book is HYSTERICAL.
November 1, 2009
Books published in the United States for children are under so many guards that our children really don't have the opportunity to freely soar with their imagination. Thank God for Kane/Miller for searching the world over to purchase great books that I can show in my literacy and early childhood education classes. Unfortunately, most of my future educators will not be able to place books like NO! THAT'S WRONG! in their classrooms because underpants on even a rabbit's head is wrong. . . . .Or is it?
Oh the freedom to choose and read wonderful, imaginative, funny, creative books for our children. They really have the right to laugh and place underpants (clean ones please) on their heads for just a moment!
Oh the freedom to choose and read wonderful, imaginative, funny, creative books for our children. They really have the right to laugh and place underpants (clean ones please) on their heads for just a moment!
December 28, 2015
This book was read for Wesley’s summer reading club. Wesley is my (soon to be five year old) son. This review is what we used for his reading club.
***
Kind of cute and funny. One of Wesley's favorite phrases...
***
Despite this being one of Wesley's favorite phrases, I do not think he enjoyed this book very much. I am not sure if it is because my mom read it aloud to him and/or if he didn't understand the humor of the story. Might want to try this book again when he's a little older.
***
Kind of cute and funny. One of Wesley's favorite phrases...
***
Despite this being one of Wesley's favorite phrases, I do not think he enjoyed this book very much. I am not sure if it is because my mom read it aloud to him and/or if he didn't understand the humor of the story. Might want to try this book again when he's a little older.
April 23, 2008
A pair of underpants flies off of a clothesline and a rabbit finds it. The underpants make a great hat which is what he thinks it is. His friends agree until a donkey says that it is really underpants. Well then the rabbit puts them on like underwear but they don't seem to work well because of his tail so he ends up using it as a hat again. Silly story but funny all the same.
July 31, 2013
Underwear always gets a laugh in storytime. This will be a fun new version of underwear humor for the seasoned storytimer. The author and illustrator have fun expressive illustrations and the text is just right- not too much, not too little. This is their first picture book, but I hope it will not be their last; An emerging dynamic team from China with lots of potential.
November 21, 2014
This is a cute book about some animals who have found a pair of red underwear that has fallen off a clothesline. The rabbit thinks it is a hat because it fits around his ears just perfectly. The other animals then have to try it on, the wrong way of course and there is great discussion about whether it is a hat or not. Very cute but the illustrations may be a little too small for a larger group.
March 28, 2008
This is a very stereotypical picture book plot. Animals trying on human clothing, but wearing it in the wrong way. However, in this book they are trying on a pair of frilly read girls underwear. It just seems disturbing somehow.
April 30, 2008
I received it today and can not wait to preach for it. It is one of those silly books that you can not stop yourself from falling in love with and thinking about all the time. I read it several times and each time I find something new in it.
March 9, 2009
This is a very funny book about a rabbit who finds a pair of underwear in the forest. Not knowing what it is, the rabbit thinks it is a perfect hat. The other animals try it on and the narrator keeps saying,
December 31, 2012
This was an funny picture book with the pictures driving the story. Lots of pictures
of a pair of underpants being mistaken for a hat. All the animals try it on and rabbit is the main
character. Written by a couple of Chinese illustrators.
of a pair of underpants being mistaken for a hat. All the animals try it on and rabbit is the main
character. Written by a couple of Chinese illustrators.
Read
August 7, 2014Kid will think this is a hilarious book. What could be funnier than animals who mistakenly wear underwear as a hat?
This is one picture book where the pictures truly tell the story and kids will read it again and again.
This is one picture book where the pictures truly tell the story and kids will read it again and again.
August 12, 2008
Silly story about a rabbit wearing underpants as a hat.
February 17, 2008
I love finding a picture book that makes grown ups laugh out loud too.
May 29, 2008
This book is hilarous! I love the illustrations and the simple text! What a fun read aloud!
May 31, 2008
wouldn't choose to read aloud due to underpants on head as hat but pretty amusing story to the girls about a bunch of animals who think a pair of underwear is a hat.
August 5, 2008
There's just something funny about underpants on your head...
September 11, 2008
I loved this picture book and I can't wait to use it in story time! As I was reading it I could already hear children shouting along, "No! That's WRONG!!!"
October 28, 2008
The animals of the forest think it's a hat, even though everyone else tries to tell them that it's a pair of underwear. It's all about perspective (and where your tail fits :)
February 14, 2009
if you think it is a hat, so let it be (=
funny one indeed
funny one indeed
January 5, 2009
Is the rabbit's hat really a hat? Or is it actually a pair of underwear?
March 3, 2009
Things like such are not necessarily wrong, instead, they are different and unconventional.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews