cover image Funny Hats

Funny Hats

Ron Van Der Meer. Random House Books for Young Readers, $7.99 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-679-82850-1

A counting book in a millinery milieu, the van der Meers' lift-the-flap production asks children to look ``behind'' a series of hats to enumerate the cartoonish creatures wearing replicas of the same headwear. ``Five frolicking frogs'' in an acrobatic formation sport party hats; ``nine magnificent mice'' perform in a chorus line, plumed tiaras encircling their brows. The concept could easily have worn thin, but the brightly colored illustrations show a quirky intelligence: one of the ``eight beautiful birds'' turns his hat into a kind of carapace and flies off, while the baby birds fumble as their hats slide down over their eyes. A paper hat attached to the final spread is promised to readers who can count to 20. Hats off to this winning new entry in a crowded field. Ages 2-4. (Sept.)