The Hat (book)

The Hat is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Jan Brett, published in 2004. The story centers around Hedgie, a hedgehog, who gets a sock stuck on his head. He is embarrassed and tries to remove it, but the other barnyard animals, instead of helping, begin to imagine the sock as a fashionable hat. One by one, they try the sock on themselves and eventually develop their own unique headwear made from wool, resulting in a series of colorful and comical appearances. The book explores themes of imagination, creativity, and the power of perspective, particularly in how the animals transform a simple mishap into a trend. Jan Brett's signature style is evident in the detailed illustrations and the use of borders that offer glimpses into future events in the story. The book is targeted at young children and often used in early literacy education.