WHICH HAT IS THAT?

Hines and Pham bring back their merry mouse in a companion tale to Whose Shoes? (2001). Hines remains true to a format that has worked previously; this time, her mischievous little one dons a variety of hats during the course of dress-up play. However the verses have matured somewhat, moving away from quirky word play to more tangible clues for young readers to decipher. A series of sprightly verses describes the particular chapeau the mouse is modeling while a second set details the mouse’s actions while wearing it. “When I wear a tall white puffy hat. I measure, stir, pour, and flip, flop, flip! Which hat is that?” Readers then lift the gatefold to discover the answers to the riddles. Hines’s choice of hats is toddler-perfect, the young mouse preens as a gardener, chef, and firefighter before presenting her favorite hat of all: an out-of-this-world concoction just right for young explorers. Pham’s pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are a cheerful reflection of the tale. With a twinkle in her eye, the young mouse gleefully scampers through her escapades, welcoming readers to join in the fun. Pham also includes plenty of visual clues to help little ones solve the puzzles. A high-spirited guessing game perfect for read-alouds and circle time. (Picture book. 2-5)