Hats Off to Mr. Pockles!

This amusing story is delicately threaded with some subtle lessons about sharing, making friends, and including everyone.

Copyright 2019 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission

Lloyd-Jones (Goldfish on Vacation) opens by describing hat fancier Mr. Pockles's collection, including one under glass that he's never worn ("It was Too Special and he was saving it for Best"). Mr. Pockles, a shy, impeccably groomed hound with long ears and blue eyes, dreams of appearing at Hat Day at the PandaPolitan Club. Only pandas are allowed in, however, so he mopes at the Treat House in his "Jaunty Hat with a Friendly Feather." When prominent panda Lady Coco Fitz-Tulip sashays into the café and loses her fruit hat to some hungry baby bunnies, Mr. Pockles saves the day--"HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS, EVERYONE!"--giving Lady Coco his Best hat and distributing the rest to the crowd. Naturally, Lady Coco brings them all to the PandaPolitan Club. The tale has more than a whiff of royalism, with its exclusive club and its fascination with Lady Coco's family pedigree (she's "even had streets named after her"). But Litchfield (When Paul Met Artie) creates crisp mixed-media spreads that revel in jewel-box colors and patterns; his hats are adorned with hearts, feathers, and even a miniature roller coaster. The hats are the star attraction here. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 2--Mr. Pockles is a lonely dog with a wonderful hat for every occasion and not a friend to share them with. Leaving his Hat House one day, he witnesses the destruction of a beautiful hat and he alone can rectify the problem. Through his fabulous collection, Mr. Pockles connects with his neighbor and learns that by sharing his hobby he can make friends. This story about friendship and self-expression falls short of captivating due to its awkward sentences and jumpy storytelling; this however, does not diminish the beautifully enthralling illustrations. With big bold images that dominate the pages, the story can be navigated and enjoyed primarily through digital pictures. While the images and subject matter target beginning readers, the word choice and sentence structure require greater comprehension. VERDICT Purchase this attractive work where anthropomorphic animal tales are enjoyed.--Haley Amendt, Hinton Municipal Library, Alberta