Escape from Hat [Hardcover]

Adam Kline (Author), Brian Taylor (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2012 | Lexile Measure: 1000L (What's this?)

Escape from Hat is the story of Leek, an especially talented lucky rabbit in an especially unlucky situation. When a fateful magic trick sends Leek tumbling into the land of Hat, the rabbit yearns only to return to the human boy he's sworn to protect. But the dark realm of Hat is ruled by black cats, whose job it is to spread bad luck among us all. When Millikin discovers that his nemesis now journeys through his own back yard, the cat commands his dark legions to find Leek and his faithful companions, with the help of their insidious machines, the Dimmer-Dammers. Meanwhile, in the world that has a sun, young Cecil Bean is left without any luck at all - good or bad - as his personal black cat searches madly for his own white rabbit. Thus Cecil embarks on his own journey to find the sinister magician who first cast his rabbit into peril. From rickety caravans to gargantuan sea monsters, the parallel journeys of a boy and his rabbit are a reminder that love and friendship are the greatest magics of all. Adam Kline presents a classic tale of humor, charm, and epic proportion, brought to life by the vibrant illustrations of Brian Taylor, which tread a delicious line between traditional fantasy and contemporary pop. This is a book to keep, to give, to read curled in a corner and aloud at bedtime, for both the young and the simply young at heart.

Lexile Score: 1000L
AR Level: 6.6

Editorial Reviews

Review

Escape from Hat is effortless fantasy, a modern cousin to the works of Lewis Carroll, A. A. Milne, and L. Frank Baum, that comes alive in your hands. It is an exquisite pastiche of story, prose, and illustration - which is a five-dollar way of saying it is a very good book. --Chris Wedge, Director of Ice Age

This is a classic fairy tale laced with the wit of a contemporary humorist, and the intensity of Taylor's artwork is breathtaking. Escape from Hat is a truly grand adventure, completely original and just so totally cool. --Kevin Eastman, Co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

As if Tolkien himself secretly penned an epic saga of battle-laden Hello Kitty fan fiction, Escape from Hat conjures up a vast realm of pure imagination, filled to the brim with wit, adventure, romance, and robots. A startling and brilliant vision. --Mark Osborne, Director of Kung Fu Panda

About the Author

As a screenwriter, Adam Kline has worked for Universal Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures Animation, and the Weinstein Company, among others. He is currently at work on an animated feature. Mr. Kline's primary influences include J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Kenneth Grahame. He is an active member of the Writer's Guild. Brian Taylor is a professional illustrator with over thirty years experience. Entertainment Weekly  named Taylor one of the top 100 creatives working in entertainment today. Among his primary influences are Tim Burton, Walt Disney, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Mr. Taylor is presently illustrating Mr. Kline's second novel. He lives and works in Scotland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: ZOVA Books (September 4, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984035087
• ISBN-13: 978-0984035083
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Adam Kline has written for Universal Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Sony Pictures Animation, and the Weinstein Company. His primary influences include J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Kenneth Grahame. An active member of the Writers Guild, Mr. Kline grew up in Indiana and attended Kenyon College in Ohio. He often works with Scottish artist Brian Taylor.

http://www.facebook.com/AdamK.Kline
http://candykiller.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book September 15, 2012

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

I'm a nine year old girl and I think this is a great book because it always has something sad and happy in each chapter. The drawings are excellent. My favorite character is Morel because she is very daring, and she can show everyone that girls can do the same things that boys can. If you really like books about animals and you also like thrilling books, this is a good book for you. - Abby

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent precursor to narnia & middle earth September 9, 2012

By Pimsey

Format:Hardcover

a highly original quest - and brand new mythology - that never speaks down to younger readers. the stakes are high and well worth caring about, but there's never a moment that's truly upsetting (like aslan's death on the stone table). far more laughs than chills, plus some fun bigger words almost always clarified in context. pretty darn gratifying to find something so fresh, when just about everything, everywhere, seems to be zombies, vampires, and bland reinventions of has-beens (i.e. transformers, smurfs). and wow! the art! more, please.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Attention all feckless hooligans! Read this book! September 13, 2012

By mr. towtruck

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a collector of children's literature, and "Escape from Hat" is a modern classic. The story is brilliant, and focuses on the fascinating and connected worlds of good and bad luck that secretly keep our lives in check. I think this book is perfect for all adults and children who have an interest in, and the attention span for, a true adventure tale.

The story (by Adam Kline) is fresh, original, and compelling, and the artwork (by Brian Taylor) is deeply satisfying in a way reminiscent of seeing a film that visually translates what you have seen in your head into pictures for all to see. The color illustrations are so lush, so multidimensional and so action-packed I felt as if I was indeed watching a film. And the charming crosshatched ink drawings that are sprinkled throughout are delightful and humorous. Plus, as an educator I can recommend it because it is chock full of five-dollar words (such as rapscallion, interloper, charlatan) so your child's vocabulary will be quadrupled by the end of this book. These two artists are a great team, and I hope they have the opportunity to work together again soon!

In sum, this a great book for both adults and school-aged children that can be enjoyed again and again. I loved it!