Red Hat (Red Sled #2)

In this warm-weather companion to 2011's Red Sled, a boy's pointy hat is as irresistible to the local wildlife as his sled was in the previous book. As in that story, the only text is the occasional sound effect--the "Fffwwup" of a hat being grabbed off the clothesline, or the "shwoop" of a rabbit and mouse holding onto the rapidly unraveling hat for dear life as a bear runs off with it. While this book doesn't have the crisp, wintertime magic of its predecessor, the laughs are on target, as is the "no harm done" resolution. Ages 2-5. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Mar.)

PreS-K—In this almost wordless companion to Red Sled (S & S, 2011), forest animals notice a knit cap hung on a clothesline to dry as a child goes inside his home. A bear finds this object too intriguing to resist and pulls it down, to the delight of the other critters. The cap is tossed around by its tassel until a long line of red yarn creates a foreshadowed moment. As it unravels, children will follow the yarn as it moves the action to the subsequent pages. The attractive pencil and watercolor artwork is framed, making good use of a plain background of color, such as lush greens or white, which allows the details to stand out. The author uses various visual perspectives to show the animals' playful antics. One particularly appealing spread depicts the wide-eyed creatures from high above. So much is expressed with the single comment, "Wut whoa" as the yarn becomes completely undone. Humor is extended through the boy's hair, which forms a peak similar to the shape of his pointy red hat. Amazingly there is sufficient yarn to knit two caps and three bunny sweaters ("Tink-a-tink tink") at the conclusion, but who's quibbling? Enjoyable enough for repeated readings.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA