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The Christmas Hat
Rabbit decides to make a bright red hat as a Christmas present for Little Owl so that she and Badger will be able to find him in the snow, but it also makes it easier for a hungry fox to see him.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 8, 2021
I liked some of these illustrations more than others, the cover was nice but some of the inside illustrations I found overly cute and some a bit creepy. The story was nice enough, a baby owl gets adopted by a badger and rabbit so this could be a nice story for adopted children.
December 20, 2012
I love Maggie Kneen's artwork! It's adorable and cozy--perfectly suited to cute woodland critters and the magic of Christmas. I'm bumping this up a star because her artwork is so sweet. Too, the pages all have raised texture for the animal fur, the snowflakes, etc. so I think children will really enjoy the "bumpy" textural aspect.
The story was okay. Maybe a good change from most typical Christmas stories as there is some real peril here--some kids might like that change of pace, others might be a bit jarred. You see, little owl is very good at blending into the snow. Which causes problems when his parents can't find him! But when they give him a bright red Santa hat so that he can be easily seen in the snow, they don't realize that this means the hungry fox can also spot him easily! Oh, no! Will little owl escape!?
(Yes, of course! And the ending is very cute.)
This could also be a nice story for blended families or families with adopted children, as little owl is found by Badger and Rabbit and taken in and loved as their own sweet baby.
The story was okay. Maybe a good change from most typical Christmas stories as there is some real peril here--some kids might like that change of pace, others might be a bit jarred. You see, little owl is very good at blending into the snow. Which causes problems when his parents can't find him! But when they give him a bright red Santa hat so that he can be easily seen in the snow, they don't realize that this means the hungry fox can also spot him easily! Oh, no! Will little owl escape!?
(Yes, of course! And the ending is very cute.)
This could also be a nice story for blended families or families with adopted children, as little owl is found by Badger and Rabbit and taken in and loved as their own sweet baby.
December 14, 2021
Cute story and illustrations!!!🥰
November 30, 2017
First published in 2004. Written by A. J. Wood. I really enjoyed this adorable tale. The pages are embossed with beautiful illustrations by Maggie Keen. Little Owl is found by Rabbit and Badger. Little Owl was so white that he couldn't been seen in the snow. Mrs. Rabbit makes him a hat so he can be spotted which places him in a dangerous situation. But in the end, Little Owl makes great use of his new hat. A Christmas book children will enjoy.
January 25, 2018
Good explanation of the purpose of camouflage in animals.
Love the embossed pages -- embossing was planned really well to add to the illustrations.
Mischievous little owl is adopted by Rabbit and Badger. They keep losing him in the snow. For Christmas, they make him a nice red (Santa/Elf) hat. But, the hat endangers Little Owl on one of their walks.
Love the embossed pages -- embossing was planned really well to add to the illustrations.
Mischievous little owl is adopted by Rabbit and Badger. They keep losing him in the snow. For Christmas, they make him a nice red (Santa/Elf) hat. But, the hat endangers Little Owl on one of their walks.
December 27, 2020
This is a lovely story of a tiny owl ... his woodland friends ... and the red hat that is meant to keep him safe by keeping him visible. The illustrations are fabulous, and the story is very cute. An adorable read for youngsters!
November 29, 2016
The girls liked the textured illustrations.
Read with Naomi and Julia.
Read with Naomi and Julia.
July 25, 2021
I love the splendid artwork of Maggie Kreen. And, the story is delightful and I am so glad the fox doesn't get Little Owl!
January 1, 2026
Rabbit and Badger found Little Owl when he was lost as a tiny baby. They have raised him as their own and love him dearly even though he is quite mischievous! Being a snowy owl, when winter comes around Badger and Rabbit are constantly losing him as he is perfectly camouflaged. SO for Christmas they decide to give him a red Santa hat. Now they can see him when they go out on their walk. Alas so can the fox! Uh oh! What happens? Will Little Owl get away? What about the hat?
An absolutely delightful tale that should be on every family's Christmas reading list! (It does have a happy ending.) The quality of this book is superb with the pages being embossed in place so you can feel the tracks and the animals. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
An absolutely delightful tale that should be on every family's Christmas reading list! (It does have a happy ending.) The quality of this book is superb with the pages being embossed in place so you can feel the tracks and the animals. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
December 16, 2017
Un conejo y un tejón encuentran a un polluelo de lechuza de nieve. Como es muy traviesa y se esconde entre la nieve, deciden regalarle un gorro rojo navideño. Pero su color blanco es el mejor camuflaje. Qué pasará cuando el gorro delate su presencia?
December 10, 2025
Absolutely love this book! It is sweet, endearing, and also realistic to when it comes to life in the woods. The illustrations are top-notch, and the story will have the kids coming back for more. Great book!
November 15, 2018
Beautiful book
January 1, 2021
I love owls and hats and books with texture! The illustrations are so cozy.
December 18, 2023
Cute illustrations.
December 11, 2024
nice illustrations and textures
December 15, 2016
A delightful Christmas story about a badger, rabbit, mole, fox, and baby white owl.
August 26, 2009
Title: The Christmas Hat
Author: A. J. Wood (Illustrated: Maggie Kneen)
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, The Year Of Readers – 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009, Summer Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Christmas in July, What an Animal II, August Reading Challenge
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 32
Published: 2005
From the inside cover: When Rabbit and Badger adopt a lost baby owl, they don’t realize how challenging it will be to look after him – especially when his downy white feathers help him disappear in the snow!
Rabbit creates a Christmas surprise for Little Owl that will make finding him easier. But danger lurks in the woods, and Rabbit and Badger are not the only ones who see Little Owl more clearly in his new red hat….
Mine: Beautifully illustrated book with textured pages. What a wonderful story about how we all need to take care of each other in this world. So that owl could be found in the snow (since he is a snow owl – white). Rabbit makes him a red hat so that he can be spotted when he’s out in the snow.
Unfortunately the Red Fox can see the owl. Everyone is shouting – “take the hat off” when he does the fox walks right by. Owl finds a new wonderful use for his red hat – a nice bed to sleep in.
Author: A. J. Wood (Illustrated: Maggie Kneen)
Genre: Children’s
Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, The Year Of Readers – 2009, Pages Read Challenge, Young Reader's Challenge 2009, Read a Book a Month Challenge, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009, Summer Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 20 Books in 2009, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Christmas in July, What an Animal II, August Reading Challenge
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 32
Published: 2005
From the inside cover: When Rabbit and Badger adopt a lost baby owl, they don’t realize how challenging it will be to look after him – especially when his downy white feathers help him disappear in the snow!
Rabbit creates a Christmas surprise for Little Owl that will make finding him easier. But danger lurks in the woods, and Rabbit and Badger are not the only ones who see Little Owl more clearly in his new red hat….
Mine: Beautifully illustrated book with textured pages. What a wonderful story about how we all need to take care of each other in this world. So that owl could be found in the snow (since he is a snow owl – white). Rabbit makes him a red hat so that he can be spotted when he’s out in the snow.
Unfortunately the Red Fox can see the owl. Everyone is shouting – “take the hat off” when he does the fox walks right by. Owl finds a new wonderful use for his red hat – a nice bed to sleep in.
October 28, 2011
When I saw this book at library I immediately wanted to read it. Mostly because it has beautiful illustrations that felt like they were made from little "bubbles". The story itsels is very short but captivating. I think it's quite memorable also. I'd love to give this book to my children in the future. Brilliant.
December 15, 2013
Sweet and clever story about anthropomorphic animals nevertheless introduces important concepts of survival and camouflage in a meaningful and memorable way. Well done! The books itself is also beautiful, with embossed images showing instead of telling the secrets of environmental camouflage.
December 4, 2015
The artwork is beautiful and the kids couldn't keep their hands off of it as i read the story. They loved the bumpy textures. It wasn't my favorite story, but it was cute and fun and the kids enjoyed it.
December 5, 2017
Darling illustrations with texture to increase the pleasure of sharing the warm and cozy story. A little concerned with the female rabbit doing all the kitchen duty--would be nice if Badger joined in with dishes!
December 27, 2007
beautiful illustrations--sweet story
October 1, 2013
Amazing art one; of the best kids' books I've ever read
January 9, 2013
Great Kinder story for snow, environment, and Christmas. Love the textures.
January 1, 2022
this is one of my favorite picture books from childhood, and i love to revisit it every year!
January 1, 2022
Adorable woodland animal Christmas story with cute textured illustrations.
I think little children would really enjoy this book.
I think little children would really enjoy this book.
June 16, 2009
I really liked the textured pages, as did my daughter.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews