Mr. Brown's Fantastic Hat

K-Gr 3—Mr. Brown, a bear, lives alone and has no friends. He tells himself that he likes it that way, but he is secretly lonely. He wears a smart top hat when he goes out for long walks. One day, a woodpecker decides to make a nest in Mr. Brown's hat while he is sleeping. Soon, other birds join in and make lovely homes in Mr. Brown's stovepipe hat. To his amazement, the hat begins to grow taller as more and more birds make their homes in it. At first, Mr. Brown isn't pleased, but slowly he begins to enjoy their singing, and his reputation (and his hat's) grows among the town's people. The birds soon become Mr. Brown's constant companions and travel with him everywhere. One cold autumn morning, Mr. Brown awakens to find the birds had all left him. As the days grow colder, he misses his friends more and more. Winter is approaching, and Mr. Brown needs to hibernate. Will he ever see his beloved friends again? Splendid, surrealistic illustrations contribute to the fantastical nature of this story. The sheer whimsy of the bear and the simplicity of his cottage and the surrounding town add a quaintness that is quite touching. Savvy readers will enjoy the detailed and dreamy, imaginative artwork, including stunning illustrations of birds. With a binding as tall as Mr. Brown's hat, this book will require a special place on your bookshelves. But it won't stay there long.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH