This Is Not My Hat

A companion to author and illustrator Jon Klassen's earlier I Want My Hat Back (VL-1/14), this wildly different animated adaptation of his 2012 Caldecott Medal Book features a discordant string-filled soundtrack by Nick DiBerardino. The music nicely combines with dark underwater scenery (with blips of color for plants and aquatic life) to set the mood for a black comedy in which the protagonist is a thief: a little fish wearing a derby that he admits he stole. Narrated by John Keating, This Is Not My Hat glides along with the dishonest small swimmer as he heads for clumps of tall plants in order to hide from the big fish he ripped off, rationalizing “…it was too small for him, anyway.” The big fish doesn't see it that way, however, and slowly, silently, menacingly continues in pursuit. Featuring a read-along option, this excellent dramedy (with a twist that doesn't dumb down for young viewers) is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)