I First heard about this book through Kinokuniya's Facebook when it was first released. The moment I had set my eyes on the book (via internet) I knew that it was going to be something. And I was right. I mean how amusing is the title? I WANT MY HAT BACK is a twisted kind of picture book with a story so absurd (a good kind of absurd) purely because of its raw simplicity. It made me chuckle and smile out loud because of its damn-straight tone and seriously unexpected but oh-so-right ending. I don't think I've ever laughed or been this amused by a picture book, on its first read that is, before - so it's pretty special. I won't spoil the ending because it's worth having that experience for yourself. I think I also have a bias for things with negative spaces and minimal design - and Jon Klassen does this well so it naturally won me over almost immediately. There's also a nice rhythm set up by Klassen that draws you into the story through his writing & typography. Unfortunately I WANT MY HAT BACK is not part of my collection yet... but trust me it will be.
Another thing to note is the illustrations of Jon Klassen (Again I suggest you go have a look for yourself) since his works don't just stop at this picture book but extend to other formats such as animation and a range of other publications. His works incorporates both hand and digital techniques: he creates hand generated textures using a range of media usually gouache, acrylics or inks and then digitally edits and assembles them into amazing works of art. I'm also pretty amused with his sense of humour - his website Bursts of Beaden is a 'spoonerism' (only just discovered what you call these types of phrases) on Beasts of Burden. There is only thing I can say. Absolute. Genius.
Klassen's Workspace:
And I'm also pretty excited as I hear Klassen will be releasing ANOTHER picture book somewhere during October (too far away...) But already I'm amused.
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