Millie's Marvellous Hat

Story

Millie falls in love with a beautiful, feathery hat in the hat shop, but when she can’t afford to buy it, the shopkeeper produces another one from a very special hatbox. Millie leaves the shop with a magical hat that can be anything she wants it to be. The only limit is her imagination, which knows no bounds! She soon realises that everyone else is wearing a magical hat too!

Why we chose it

A picture book about the power of imagination brought to life by the vivid colour and detail in the illustrations.

Where it came from

Satoshi Kitamura (1956-) is a Japanese picture book author and illustrator. He spent time living in London before returning to his native Tokyo in 2008. He draws his inspiration from the comic book style of illustration and is renowned for his quirky perspectives, and unique characters. He is well known for often including animals and animal characters in his book, especially cats.

Where it went next

Millie’s Marvellous Hat was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award in 2010. At the time it was heralded as a new twist on the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes and the illustrations were compared to Kandinsky.

Associated stories

Satoshi Kitamura is a multi award winning author and illustrator. He won the Mother Goose award for Most Exciting Newcomer to British Illustration in 1983 and the Japanese Picture Book Award for Angry Arthur (written by Hiawyn Oram). In 1999 he received the National Art Library Award for his illustrations in A Ring of Words, a poetry anthology edited by Roger McGough.

In 2000 he won the Smarties Silver Award 0-5years for Me and My Cat? He was also awarded the New York Times Notable Book of the Year for When Sheep Cannot Sleep and in 2006 Satoshi’s collaboration with Colin McNaughton, Once Upon an Ordinary School Day, won The Japan Picture Book Award for best translated book.