We Found a Hat
By Jon Klassen
The Story
Two turtles find one hat in the desert, and both of them love it — but a hat can't be shared, so a quiet, funny standoff unfolds under the stars.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's just learned how hard it is to want the same thing as a sibling, this one turns that exact feeling into something oddly comforting.
- Big idea: Wanting something you can't have is part of loving someone — and friendship sometimes means choosing them over the thing.
- Vibes: Deadpan, quiet, and dry-witted, with long silent pauses that let the turtles' eyes do all the talking.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy deadpan humor and minimal dialogue
- like to study characters' expressions for clues
- are working on sharing and fairness
- respond well to slow, spare storytelling with room to think
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Both turtles want the hat — what are some ways they could solve that problem?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think each turtle felt looking at the hat on the other one's head?
- Real-life connection: Has there ever been just one of something you and a friend both wanted?
- Imagination: If you found a hat in the desert, what would you imagine it was for?
- Noticing details: What did you notice about the turtles' eyes as the story went on?
