Brimsby’s Hats by Andrew Prahin (review)

Brimsby, a squat, furry little creature, is an accomplished milliner who loves to chat with his best friend, a badger, over a cup of tea. When his friend goes off to realize his dream of becoming a sea captain, Brimsby is lonesome. He tries to start a conversation with some birds in a nearby tree, but they are too busy shoveling snow out of their nests and trying to keep the fires alight in their tiny woodstoves. Struck by an idea, Brimsby returns the next day with a custom-made hat to top each nest, thus keeping the birds’ abodes warm and dry. The birds, freed from their labors, now have time for conversation and befriend Brimsby, and they all visit the badger for tea when he’s ashore. Handling the loss of a friend who moves away is a common theme in picture books, but this is a fresh and offbeat take that helpfully highlights kindness and proactive problem-solving. Subdued, slightly retro shades of blue, gray, green, and brown are highlighted with pops of brighter pink and scarlet, and the smooth color application and crisp edges of the digital illustrations give a clean, ordered feel to the cozy milieu. The small print and trim size may make this a challenge for group sharing, but it would be perfect for an armchair or bedtime reading session. Pair this with Moore’s A House in the Woods (BCCB 12/11)—another delightful book about homes, friendship, and problemsolving—or simply snuggle up with a cuppa, a kid, and this title.