This is Not My Hat by Jon KlassenMy rating: ★★☆☆☆
Compared to the hilarity that was I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat was downright disappointing.
I Want My Hat Back was spectacular because I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I expected your typical kid's book. Main character has a problem, does a few random boring things to try to solve the problem, and then succeeds in solving the problem. But the way I Want My Hat Back ended was so wondrously unexpected and absurdly amusing that I couldn't help but love it.
This is not the case with This Is Not My Hat. In effect, This Is Not My Hat is the same plot as I Want My Hat Back except from a different perspective (a hat thief this time rather than a victim)... and it's boring. You know what's going to happen, and then when it does, it isn't funny. There's no absurdly endearing final line. No barely-hidden black comedy. No humorously detailed final scene. No surprise twist.
So this was a miss for me. Maybe next time, Klassen.
