FRANK'S RED HAT

Gr 1--4--Frank is a penguin who lives in a cold and snowy spot, as penguins do. All he and his penguin friends ever see is the white of snow and the dark colors of the rocks. Visually, it is not an exciting spot, but Frank is a creative and inspired character who longs for more than just white and black. He has ideas, and some were great, but others make the penguins less keen on experimenting with Frank. One day he launches a sort of Red Hat campaign, but not everyone is willing to try it. Frank becomes a bit of an outcast after that, but he just keeps creating. Frank's determination to continue even after the penguins give up on him sends a nice message of sticking with a dream despite bumps in the road. This humorous book is a joy to read. The wonderful absurdity of a hat-making penguin is brilliant. The illustrations focus on white and black, with occasional wildly colorful hats spread about the pages. The writing is strong and engaging. The final sentence is a great example of alliteration to share with kids: "Ideas that brought warmth and wonder to his winter white world." Of special note is the CIP page linking the story with an Aboriginal tribe in Australia. This is a way of giving credit to Indigenous peoples around the world. Children may want to be aware of this practice and look for things that might be connected to this Australian tribe. VERDICT The art seems to be a tip of the hat to Jon Klassen's enigmatic work in the humor, the controlled palette, and the incredible story line. Teachers and kids will love this whole package.--Joan Kindig

In this Australian import, a free-thinking penguin struggles to find an appreciative audience for his ideas. One day, Frank wears a scarlet red hat, an accessory that stands out in his mostly black-and-white habitat. When he finally convinces fellow penguin Neville to try out the hat, Neville's eaten by a killer whale (an act mostly depicted off the page). Understandably, the other penguins refuse to don chapeaux of their own, no matter how many different designs Frank tries. Just when Frank is about to give up for good, he finds excited recipients among the seals and decides that he won't "let a few nervous penguins" prevent him from pursuing his passion. Frank and the penguins are darling in their own cartoonish way, with tiny triangle beaks set between their big eyes and eyebrows that extend above their faces. The starkness of the landscape serves as the perfect canvas for the bright pops of color in Frank's various creations. All little ones should hear--and see--this message of discovering the right audience for one's work rather than changing one's output to please others. Frank serves as a bold example. A worthwhile, heartwarming, and beautifully conveyed lesson to do what makes you happiest.(Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.