The Hat (book) facts for kids
The Hat is a children's book created by the French artist and author Tomi Ungerer. It was published in 1970. The story is about a poor army veteran named Benito Badoglio. He becomes rich after he finds a magic top hat that can fly.
The book has many colorful pictures and uses interesting words. For example, the author believed that children enjoy learning new and fun words. The story takes place in Italy during the 1800s. The pictures show musicians playing mandolins, beautiful fountains, and happy villagers.
The book starts and ends with the magic top hat moving from a rich owner to someone who needs help. This idea suggests that the hat has changed many lives before. It might continue to do so in the future. A French publisher released the book in 1971. Its French title was Le Chapeau Volant, which means The Flying Hat.
Story Summary
The Hat begins by showing a magic top hat flying through the air. The book describes it as "a tall black top hat, shiny as satin." It has a bright pink silk band. We learn that the hat just blew off the head of a rich man. He was riding in a fast open carriage. His wife tells him not to worry about the lost hat. But the man looks very concerned.
Soon, the top hat lands on the head of Benito Badoglio. Benito is a poor army veteran who has a disability. After this, Benito sees many dangerous situations. He quickly realizes that the top hat can do amazing things when he tells it to.
The hat performs many heroic deeds:
- It catches a flowerpot that was falling towards a person's head.
- It brings back a rare purple puffbird named Esmeralda to the National Zoo. The bird had escaped.
- It helps an army group defeat a hideout of bad guys.
- It saves a baby from a burning carriage that was rolling down stairs.
Benito gets money for some of these brave acts. He soon becomes a rich man. He even saves a noblewoman from a runaway carriage with his magic hat. Benito wins her heart, and they get married.
But on their wedding night, as they travel for their honeymoon, the top hat flies off Benito's head. "Never mind the hat," his new wife says. The top hat continues to fly away into the night. On the very last page, we see someone far away who is drowning in a river. Maybe this person will be the hat's next owner.
Main Characters
Here are the main characters in the book:
- Benito Badoglio: He is the main character. He finds and uses the magic top hat.
- A wealthy tourist: This is the first person Benito helps with his magic top hat. The tourist gives Benito money and valuable items.
- The Director of the National Zoo: He rewards Benito with money for finding Esmeralda, the purple puffbird.
- Capitano Mallamorte: He is the leader of an army group. He was planning to attack a hideout of bad guys.
- Contessa Aspi d'Istra: She is a noblewoman. Benito's magic hat saves her, and she later marries Benito.
- The Archduke: He gives Benito an important job. Benito becomes the "Minister of National Emergencies."
