Courage Hats

January 10, 2022
Mae and Bear don’t know each other, but they’re on the same multi-species train, and they share trepidation about their respective solo journeys. Pink-skinned child Mae is afraid that the train travels “deep into bear places”—the backwoods. Bear feels similarly about “people places”—the city. Hoefler (Nothing in Common) crafts a solution for both: “Courage is something that comes from your heart—but if you can’t find it there, you can wear it on your head at first.” So Mae and Bear each make a paper bag chapeau that will help them resemble what they fear, and it leads to an instantly reassuring connection—one initially built on mistaken identity, yes, but strong enough to eventually survive a mutual reveal. The text’s plainspoken lyricism (the new friends notice “how a train carries the sky on its back. How the birds join it”) is matched by Bagley’s (Daisy) emotionally nuanced, sensitively paced graphite and watercolor illustrations of the pair moving from a tentative acquaintanceship forged over snacks to heady, adventurous companionship. A visual high point is a series of exhilarating bird’s eye view images depicting the pair’s mutually emboldened exploration of the train. It’s a moving celebration of the joys of a new and unexpected friendship—one born out of a newfound sense of wonder at and assurance in the world at large. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow.

March 1, 2022

K-Gr 2-In a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals live harmoniously, a young girl and bear meet for the first time on a train ride to summer camp and help each other overcome a shared fear of trains. While the premise of the title is that courage can be worn, like a hat, before it "comes from your heart," the core message shifts under other metaphorical weights, with few explanations, to end with counsel that a genuine connection with a friend may be all that is needed to overcome one's fear. Readers may be distracted by a tangle of certain observable story elements, such as confusion as to what the girl and bear fear, as well as why they make and wear hats to look like a bear and a human, respectively, in order to appear brave on the train. The language surrounding the story's elements strikes a distinctly abstract tone at times, so the intended young audience will need an adult's support to delve into the message, though they will enjoy sharing the sights with the two new friends. Thin graphite lines form open, organized layouts made up of light watercolor washes and blends of green, brown, blue, and yellow hues to depict the smooth motion of a train traversing through uncluttered city life and forests. VERDICT While the illustrations are pleasing to the eye, this story offers confusing messaging about the nature of courage and how it is summoned.-Rachel Mulligan

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2022
Mae (a human girl) and Bear (a bear) are both embarking on a train journey to an undisclosed destination, and neither feels comfortable. Mae worries about bears who might eat small people, and Bear worries about people who eat big things, like bears. Separately, they each decide to make a paper-bag hat, disguising themselves as the things they fear for protection. The narrative tells their story from a distant, knowing vantage point, creating a philosophical atmosphere. "Courage is something that comes from your heart -- but if you can't find it there, you can wear it on your head at first." The soft graphite and watercolor illustrations effectively use perspective and point of view to develop tension and meaning for these two as they board the train from opposite sides and, in their disguises, choose to sit together, share a snack, and form an alliance. As the train winds through a variety of settings, from mountainous to woodland to metropolitan, the art depicts Mae and Bear bonding over the same delights. An aerial view shows the train's path and then a train car full of human and anthropomorphized animal passengers, expanding the reader's comprehension in parallel with Mae and Bear's growing friendship. Eventually the disguises come off, and, unfazed by each other's true identities, they exchange the hats as gifts. The train moves on, but in a satisfying conclusion, it's revealed that these two are heading to the same destination: "Welcome Campers!" While visually capturing the thrill of travel, this warm story pays tribute to bravery, new experiences, and special connections. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2022
Mae (a human girl) and Bear (a bear) are both embarking on a train journey to an undisclosed destination, and neither feels comfortable. Mae worries about bears who might eat small people, and Bear worries about people who eat big things, like bears. Separately, they each decide to make a paper-bag hat, disguising themselves as the things they fear for protection. The narrative tells their story from a distant, knowing vantage point, creating a philosophical atmosphere. "Courage is something that comes from your heart -- but if you can't find it there, you can wear it on your head at first." The soft graphite and watercolor illustrations effectively use perspective and point of view to develop tension and meaning for these two as they board the train from opposite sides and, in their disguises, choose to sit together, share a snack, and form an alliance. As the train winds through a variety of settings, from mountainous to woodland to metropolitan, the art depicts Mae and Bear bonding over the same delights. An aerial view shows the train's path and then a train car full of human and anthropomorphized animal passengers, expanding the reader's comprehension in parallel with Mae and Bear's growing friendship. Eventually the disguises come off, and, unfazed by each other's true identities, they exchange the hats as gifts. The train moves on, but in a satisfying conclusion, it's revealed that these two are heading to the same destination: "Welcome Campers!" While visually capturing the thrill of travel, this warm story pays tribute to bravery, new experiences, and special connections.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)