This Is Not My Hat

A tiny fish has a secret: that round blue hat sitting perfectly on his head isn't actually his. He borrowed it from a much bigger fish — while the bigger fish was sleeping — and he's sure he's going to get away with it. Probably.

What makes this story so irresistible is the gap between what the little fish tells us and what Jon Klassen's artwork quietly reveals. The narration insists on a clean escape while the illustrations tell an entirely different tale. Winner of both the 2013 Caldecott Medal and the 2014 Kate Greenaway Medal — the first picture book ever to win both — it's a masterclass in deadpan humor and visual storytelling that works on every age level. Part of the beloved Hat Trilogy alongside I Want My Hat Back and We Found a Hat.

Perfect for: ages 2–6 · storytime · early readers · award-winning shelf · gifting