The Singing Hat

by Tohby Riddle

When he discovers that a bird has built a nest on his head, Colin Jenkins decides not to disturb her and her pending family, but this greatly changes his very normal routine and makes him stand out in more ways than ever before.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Tohby Riddle is an Australian cartoonist and picture-book creator. In 2005 he became editor of The School Magazine, in which his illustrations, non-fiction pieces and poems appear regularly. In 2009 he won the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards with Ursula Dubosarsky for their book The Word Spy.

Reviews

[Fjóla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A realistic story with a touch of the absurd. I'm not sure how much kids like these, sometimes it feels as if they're written more with an adult audience in mind. But, it's fairly original and the illustrations, which are a mix of drawings and mixed media, are interesting. For more stories in the same vein, check out for instance John Jensen Feels Different, or Else-Marie and Her Seven Little Daddies.

[Katie Sokol · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all honesty this had to be my favorite book I've read in a while. I think the story is absolutely adorable, and it's an awesome story for kids as well as adults. I think that it really teaches lessons as well, as in not to judge others. Kids can learn that appearance shouldn't define someone, and therefore you should treat everyone with kindness. The fact that he kept the nest was awesome and definitely added effect to the story. Overall I thought tis had a good moral, awesome illustrations, and an intriguing storyline.

[Giselle Avina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Singing Hat is a playful book about a man who falls asleep under a tree and ends up with a bird nest on his head. It causes him lots of grief and troubles, and causes him to lose his job and home. However, he is determined not to "disturb nature." The man's life is basically ruined yet he humbly perseveres and sticks to his kind decision to help the birds. I like the message of the book because it is a modern-day fable that expresses the importances of sticking to a difficult decision no matter what.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A picture book not for kids, I think. It just didn't really feel like they'd be the target audience to appreciate the message.

A man who falls asleep under a tree and ends up with a bird nest on his head, complete with residents. He decides to put up with it, to not 'disturb nature.' He ends up with lots of problems as side effects, losing his job and he and his daughter losing their house... Basically, he keeps the nest and loses almost everything else. An ornithologist eventually tells him it was worth it because the bird was thought to be extinct.

A message about helping the environment, but with a level of "sticking to a difficult decision no matter what." But what sort of take-away does a 3-6(ish) yr old picture book reader? That birds are worth more than ourselves? That we should give up everything for our (sometimes impulsive) decisions even if that means damaging others' lives too? I mean, he even lost his job because the bird was being a disctraction to everyone around him at work. So his stick-to-it-iveness damages other lives around him - his co-workers, his daughter, even people on the train commuting with him. Just a really weird message.

I did like the art, which is why it isn't a 1 star review. I liked the mix of textures and media and the way the colors highlight parts of the picture. Not the most gorgeous or most creative picture book art (let's be honest, there are some amazing ones out there), but still enjoyable, if subtle artwork. But then, it's kind of a subtle book altogether. Which is why I just don't know about it as a picture book I'd recommend to my average picture book reader.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. The illustrations are beautiful and Riddle has such a funny turn of phrase, but I'd suggest the demographic is not young children. There are some deep layers with this one regarding mental health/illness, that I think would go over the heads of small children, leaving them with simply a book about a quirky man who doesn't realise a bird has fallen asleep on his head. Adults would read it and see the impact of dealing with a mental illness or disorder, both personally and externally. 100% recommend.

[Cruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author/Illustrator: Tohby Riddle
First Published: 2000

Using an interesting mixture of pen and ink, gouache, and collage, Riddle mixes reality and make-believe into an interesting metaphorical tale of change, belief, difference.



While it's a good story to read, it's importance to the grown-up will be found in it's discussion. It is easy to pick from it lessons in ridicule and difference, never forgetting, nature and ecology, and how the illustrations are rendered.

Overall it's a worthwhile book, but won't be to everyone's taste.

Age:
Read aloud: 3+
Read yourself: 6+

References:
Author's discussion (pdf) http://www.tohby.com/Images/Notes_on_...

(ISBN 9780141313207)

-CR-

[Julie Kleehammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for a long time, even before I had children and always just accepted it at face value; a man falls asleep under a tree and ends up with a bird building a nest on his head. I really like it. For some reason it has popped into my head without me having reread it recently and I wonder if anyone one else sees things in it about mental illness and carrying that around with you, being unable to hide it from others, life changing incredibly because of it, but eventually getting to a better place. I think Tohby Riddle's books can be read on many levels, and I always like the messages I find in them. I love the illustrations and the quirkiness. I'd like to Collin Jenkins over to dinner with Tohby Riddle :-)

[Tara Geske · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not really like this book. It was kind of boring and the pictures were not very colorful. However, the pictures did have one interesting aspect to them. Each picture had a part of it that looked like it was a picture of something in the real world. For example, when Colin was on the train, the background through the window was a real picture of a city. Also, a lot of the clothes the characters were wearing looked like pictures of the actual material the clothes were made out of.

[Barbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so absurd, that you can't take it too seriously. Which I admire. The illustrations are fantastic and the storyline flows. Readers will anticipate the ending from the beginning of the book. I look forward to reading this book to my class and asking questions relative to the decisions the protagonist makes throughout the story. What does this say about life choices in general?

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather odd tale of man who falls asleep in the park and wakes up with a nest and birds on his head. These turn out to be very special, endangered birds so he feels obliged to keep them. This obligation costs him his house and his job, but eventually the egg hatches and birds fly off.

Neat illustrations.

[Unidragonfrag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow.. this book seem extremely depressing to me. The pictures were really nice, why it got an extra star. Dunno. I know she can't understand what it's about, but I don't think I'll be reading this one to my daughter again.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Singing Hat by Tohby Riddle – 2000 – Special, peaceful book about a man who commits to keeping a bird’s nest on his head and how it impacts his life. I wasn’t so sure about the ending. Shall be left contemplating this book for a while…

[Dee-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my sons and we were captivated with the story. It is a bit depressing in some parts, but likable. I wanted something a bit more at the end, but my boys really liked the ending and their imaginations continued after the story finished.

[Lexie]

i really enjoyed it
it was about a man who was taking a nap under a tree and was most unfortunate as to have a birds nest fall on his head and itchanges his life.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was really funny

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story weirdly delightful. Much like the text, the illustrations mix realism with the fabulous.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever. Got great discussion with my students about this book.

[Kate Mudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Tohby Riddle book that I love. I use this book with my students to promote discussion about the costs involved when we make a choice to do what we believe is right.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is this bizarre tale supposed to teach us a lesson?

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars