The Upside Down Hat
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
The Little Prince meets Journey in this gorgeous, reassuring picture book fable about loss, perseverance, and finding what matters most.
What happens to a boy who has nothing but a hat?
Everything.
A boy wakes up one morning and finds that everything he owns has gone missing. With nothing but a simple green hat, the boy journeys through distant landscapes, searching high and low for the things he has lost. Along the way he discovers that perhaps everything he needs has been with him all along.
Stephen Barr makes his debut in this achingly poignant and deeply profound fable of one boy's adventure to recover his life's treasures. With vibrant illustrations by Gracey Zhang and a subtle message about hopeful perseverance, this book is an exquisite, emotional journey through loss, persistence, and discovering what's truly essential.
TIMELESS PICTURE BOOK: Deeply reflective, sparingly written, and beautifully illustrated, this tale will strike a chord with its poignant storytelling. It's a picture book for any reader, of any age, at any time.
A FABLE FOR THE AGES: Reminiscent of the stories of Aesop's Fables, this book touches on universal themes of the human condition and shares a heartfelt message that is effortless but hopeful. Readers will come away thinking differently about what they own, what they need, and what they hold most dear.
NEW VOICE IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Debut author Stephen Barr brings years of experience working with authors as a literary agent to craft this gem of a picture book that will resonate with fans of classic children's stories.
IMMERSIVE ILLUSTRATION: Gracey Zhang's spellbinding art illuminates every step of the story, immersing the reader in a gorgeously rendered world that feels familiar yet utterly unique.
Perfect for:
• Parents interested in teaching their kids about loss and gratitude
• Children who like fables/myths
• Readers who love losing themselves in immersive picture book art
• Readers looking for a modern classic picture book
• Fans of William Steig, Erin and Philip Stead, and the Chronicles of Narnia
• Educators and librarians looking for a magical, engaging read-aloud
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A lanky, brown-skinned child wakes up in a mostly barren, palm tree–studded terrain with nothing but a teal-colored cowboy hat and the clothes on his back in this meandering fable by debut author Barr. As the child proceeds to search for what he's lost—"his sewing needle/ and his pirate flag/ and his bright orange stilts," as well as best friends Henry and Priscilla—the hat provides shelter from the rain and sun, a bucket to drink out of and store cherries in, a means to hide his identity and, when "he had only his hat/ and a dreadful, helpless feeling," a receptacle for begging. Spare narration and subtle themes of hope and dedication guide the child forward, though his circumstances and the stark lack of community support may puzzle readers: "All day and all night the boy asked for help/ until the streets were empty// and his path was clear." Zhang's (Nigel and the Moon) characteristic style, rendered in ink, gouache, and watercolor, portray a brown-skinned cast against a vividly colored landscape of deserts, broken Grecian columns, cherry trees, and bustling open-air markets in this picture book about contentment amid loss. Ages 5–8. Author's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator's agent: Hannah Mann, Writers House.
