THE PINK HAT

Name: THE PINK HAT
Author: Andrew Joyner
ISBN: 978-1-5247-7226-0

by Andrew Joyner ; illustrated by Andrew Joyner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 26, 2017

This pink hat’s tale won’t inform young feminists in great detail, but its light take on a social movement could spark...

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Pink hats emerged as a cultural phenomenon in early 2017, as the Women’s March on Washington and in locations nationwide drew widespread attention.

This simple, fictional treatment of one pink hat shows its transformation from a cap knitted by a woman of a certain age (an earlier-wave feminist?) to a cat’s toy to a snug wrapper for an infant to a dog’s plaything. Eventually, its use reverts to a hat, found, washed, and worn by a young black-haired girl of indeterminate ethnicity. She ultimately wears it in a march along with dozens of other pink-hatted girls and women (and a few boys and men), toting signs reading “Girl Power,” “The Future Is Feminist,” and other familiar slogans from that day. Black-and-white line drawings with a retro look are punctuated by the bright fuchsia hat; this sole pop of color on each page draws focus to the inanimate starring “character.” There is no mention of the actual origin of the hat’s significance as a reminder of what one presidential candidate bragged about grabbing during the 2016 campaign. The hat’s role as a rallying symbol for women’s and human rights is underplayed except for the closing spread. A very brief note cites the January 2017 marches but makes no explicit connection to the pink hat.

This pink hat’s tale won’t inform young feminists in great detail, but its light take on a social movement could spark conversation. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Dec. 26, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-5247-7226-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random

Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
IT STARTED WITH A P
by Brittany Pomales ; illustrated by Andrew Joyner

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ROAR FOR READING
by Beth Ferry ; illustrated by Andrew Joyner

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BUNNY FIGURES IT OUT
by Ruby Shamir ; illustrated by Andrew Joyner

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PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

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The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: July 29, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
SCAREDY SNACKS!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
SNACK ATTACK!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
BIG BROTHER PEANUT BUTTER
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)