Hip, Hip . . . Beret!
What’s inside...
A playful and humorous picture book about a girl named Bella and the adventures of her beret after it gets swept away by the wind. Grand-père gifts Bella a beret, but just as she puts it on, a gust of wind takes it away. The beret finds itself in humorous situations, like landing in a chef's pan resulting in a 'hip, hip, soufflé!' and on a dancer's head leading to 'hip, hip, ballet!'. As the wind carries the beret farther away, Bella wonders if she will ever get it back. Children will enjoy the repetition, rhyme, and wordplay in this heartfelt story. The book also features special touchable berets on the cover and inside for an interactive reading experience.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Lana felt when she first lost her beret?
What are some creative ways you would use to keep track of your favorite things?
Why do you think the community decided to help Lana find her beret?
How did Lana change from the beginning of the story to the end?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Lana's shoes and explore her emotions throughout the story.
Use personal examples of losing something important to make the conversation relatable.
Discuss the importance of community support as highlighted in the book and relate it to your child’s experiences with friends and family.
Highlight the evolution of Lana’s character to teach problem-solving and growth.
After discussing, engage in a playful activity like creating together a 'lost and found' box for your child’s treasured items.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: In 'Hip, Hip . . . Beret!', the main character explores various cultures through different berets, each representing a unique cultural background.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and celebrate cultural diversity, fostering respect and understanding for people from different backgrounds in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Self-Expression
Explanation: The protagonist uses berets as a medium to express her personality and artistic flair, experimenting with various styles
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore and express their own identities and creativity through different forms of art and personal style in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the character encounters different situations while wearing each beret, she adapts by embracing the characteristics associated with that particular hat.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of being adaptable in different situations, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Exploration
Explanation: The main character's journey in finding the perfect beret demonstrates the excitement of exploring new things.
Real-World Application: It motivates children to embark on their own journeys of discovery, be it through reading, traveling, or learning new skills.