Review: Old Hat New Hat
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Authors: Stan & Jan Berenstain
Series: Bright & Early Board Books(TM)
Publisher: Random House
Books for Young Readers (1997)
Language: English
Pages: 24
Hardcover $8,26
Board book $4,49
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One of the
best books I have ever read is the one I read a few weeks ago. It is called
“Old Hat New Hat”. This book was written and illustrated by the American Stan
and Jan Berenstain, well-known worldwide. While the main character is walking
along a street, he is fascinated by a new hat displayed in a window shop but he
cannot decide which hat to buy. The primary school reader will really enjoy
this lovely story.
It is part of
the children’s book series named The Berenstain Bears. As usual, the main character is one of the members of
Berenstain Bears’ family. In this occasion, Brother realizes that he needs a new
hat because he is wearing an old one. Inside the shop, a huge amount of
different types of hats are showed to him by an insistent shop owner and his
three shop assistants. Brother refuses all the suggested items. Finally, the
bear does not purchase a new hat because he thinks his old hat is the best
option.
“Old Hat New Hat” has didactic potential to be
exploited in an EFL classroom. Due to the use of repeated structures, the
students will easily incorporate the adjectives of the story. Your students
will deal with different colours, sizes, textures and shapes.
The
illustrations are charming and clearly portrait the characters’ feelings and
emotions. Moreover, “Old Hat New Hat” is not merely a simple-plot story for
children. In fact, it reflects an obvious and strong answer to over-consumption and the
unnecessary waste of money. In the classroom, it may help teachers to involve
the students in accepting their classmates just as they are.
This story for
children is simple and charming but at the same time, the book offers the readers great insights into everyday
life issues. It is not surprising that this book has
become a best seller. The illustrations are gripping and intelligent. I highly
recommend this book to all English teachers who want their students to enjoy
learning.
Hi Mariana! Good election of the book and great review!
ReplyDeleteI only have a doubt with this sentence: "Inside the shop, a huge amount of different types of hats are showed to him by an insistent shop owner and his three shop assistants". I would change the verb showed for his participial form " shown". I think that in order to use "showed" there should be a more clear subject.
"The illustrations are charming and clearly portrait the characters’ feelings and emotions. Moreover, “Old Hat New Hat” is not merely a simple-plot story for children. In fact, it reflects an obvious and strong answer to over-consumption and the unnecessary waste of money." Loved this part!
Thanks for your piece of advice. Now, I see your point.
DeleteIt seems that over-consumption is just ok, nowadays. That's why I mentioned it in my review.
Thanks again.
Hi, Mariana!
ReplyDeleteI have 3 main things to tell you...
Firstly,I loved this phrase: "One of the best books I have ever read is the one I read a few weeks ago. It is called “Old Hat New Hat”." In this manner, you got closer to the reader! A good introduction that makes the reader feel comfortable.
Secondly, this extract is so powerful that I read it a couple of times (I swear it): "Moreover, “Old Hat New Hat” is not merely a simple-plot story for children. In fact, it reflects an obvious and strong answer to over-consumption and the unnecessary waste of money."
And finally... CONGRATS! I loved your style. Your lexical election was flawless and reading your review was like riding a roller coaster! In some points, you went from utterly serious with your points to extremely friendly to the reader. Just... Amazing!
Thumbs up!
Luna
Thank you so much, Luna.
DeleteUnnecessary waste of money, haha! Oh, creepy capitalism!
Mariana, I love the way you separated the information. In the introduction, you have started with a personal situation, and I really like it! It's a good way to catch the reader's attention.
ReplyDeleteThen, the way you explain where this book comes from, in the second paragraph, is so clear!
Lastly, as Mariela and Luna said, the "Moreove, ..." is fantastic!
Great review!!! Congrats!!!