A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love
What’s inside...
Here’s a heartwarming winter picture book that’s sure to appeal to families who love knitting. Mrs. Goldman always knits hats for everyone in the neighborhood, and Sophia, who thinks knitting is too hard, helps by making the pom-poms. But now winter is here, and Mrs. Goldman herself doesn’t have a hat—she’s too busy making hats for everyone else! It’s up to Sophia to buckle down and knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman. But try as Sophia might, the hat turns out lumpy, the stitches aren’t even, and there are holes where there shouldn’t be holes. Sophia is devastated until she gets an idea that will make Mrs. Goldman’s hat the most wonderful of all. Readers both young and old will relate to Sophia’s frustrations, as well as her delight in making something special for someone she loves. A knitting pattern is included in the back of the book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Sophia decided to knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman?
How did Sophia show her love and appreciation for Mrs. Goldman through her actions?
What challenges did Sophia face while knitting the hat and how did she overcome them?
How did Mrs. Goldman react when she received the hat from Sophia?
What does this story teach us about helping and caring for others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share a personal story about a time you made something for someone to show your love and care.
Ask your child how they feel when they receive gifts and discuss the emotions connected with giving and receiving.
Encourage your child to think about someone they care about and what they could do to show their affection, like drawing a picture or writing a card.
Together, reflect on the importance of perseverance and kindness as demonstrated by Sophia in the story.
Use the theme of knitting to plan a small, simple craft project you can do together, enhancing the connection with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of generosity
Explanation: Sophia demonstrates generosity by deciding to knit a hat for Mrs. Goldman, who has spent her time knitting hats for others in need.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think of others' needs and practice acts of kindness by sharing their time, skills, or belongings with those who might benefit from them.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in facing challenges
Explanation: Sophia struggles with knitting but persists because she wants to show her gratitude to Mrs. Goldman.
Real-World Application: Learning new skills can be challenging. Children are encouraged to keep trying and not give up easily, understanding that effort leads to improvement and achieving their goals.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: When Sophia runs out of yarn, she creatively uses pom-poms to complete the hat, demonstrating resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively in solving problems, using whatever resources they have available to achieve their objectives.
Example Lesson: The importance of acts of kindness
Explanation: The book highlights how small acts, like knitting a hat, can significantly warm and impact someone’s life, conveying the importance of kindness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in simple, thoughtful actions that brighten others' days and foster a caring community.
Example Lesson: Building relationships through shared activities
Explanation: The act of knitting together helps strengthen the bond between Mrs. Goldman and Sophia, showing how shared activities can enhance relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and friends, engaging in activities that build stronger connections and fond memories.