We Found a Hat

Based on the 2016 picture book by Jon Klassen—part of a trilogy that includes I Want My Hat Back (VL-1/14) and the excellent This Is Not My Hat (VL-11/14)—this animated adaptation is narrated by Johnny Heller and Christopher Curry. Composers Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young provide a twangy "Home on the Range"-style soundtrack against a visual background of cacti as two tortoise pals notice a hat on the ground in their desert home on the rocks. "How does it look on me?" each drawls as they take turns modeling the some-odd gallon hat. The duo decide that it’s only fair to leave it since there’s only one hat and they would need two, so they enjoy a pinky blue sunset, but one of them definitely seems to be giving the still-visible headgear side-eye glances and later wants to check if the other is really sleeping. Not as nuanced or colorful as previous entries, this would still likely appeal to fans of the earlier entries. Featuring a read-along option and an interview with Klassen, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)