Old Hat, New Hat

Stan and Jan Berenstain
(reviewed by Nicolas Vincenti)

Simple and original, "Old Hat, New Hat" is the proposal to be revived these days. The Philippine couple, Stan and Jan Berenstain, wrote and illustrated this great book forty-three years ago, and there had not been a better moment than this one to bring back this classic to our bookshelves.

In most of The Berenstains' stories, bears represent the main characters, and this one is not the exception. An unnamed bear walks alone thinking about his old hat, when he suddenly stumbles across a new one in a shop window. He enters the hat store wondering if he could find a new headgear to replace his ragged one. He tries more than thirty brand new hats, but none of them seems to be good enough to replace his shabby piece of cloth. Finally, he happens to find a suitable one that pleases him, and guess what? It is his old hat! He happily leaves the hat store with his old hat while everyone looks at him astonishingly for the decision he has just taken.

Colourful uncluttered illustrations, basic but descriptive sentences, and a great message are the main characteristics of this wonderful story. When everything in our society revolves around consumerism, the bear will teach us a great lesson: sometimes there's nothing better than what you already have. Besides learning this old-time message (which is not such a little thing), children will be easily caught and delighted when looking the colourful pictures offered by the authors. They will also learn simple concepts of shape and size through rhymes. What else could we ask a book?

This didactic story is an excellent option for any adult who is planning to spend an amazing time with children. It definitely stands as one of the best options in the market, and its message is one that society should take into account more often. Five-star book!