Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope [Hardcover]

Trudy Krisher (Author), Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 1 and up

Kathy has always enjoyed wearing hats. But when she turns nine, she learns that she has cancer. Kathy is scared, and she is especially angry when her chemotherapy treatments make her hair fall out. Suddenly hats aren't so much fun anymore.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- A biographical sketch of a young girl's experiences with cancer and chemotherapy. From infancy, when her mother stuck a ribbon on her bald head, to the vision of picking out a hat for a child of her own, Kathy relates how headgear has marked special events in her life. This includes, of course, the hats she wore when her hair fell out from cancer treatments. This adequately written book by the child's mother is simple yet strong, and will no doubt be welcomed by other children in this situation. The amateurish black-line drawings, with a second color as a highlight, however, are less effective than the text. A laudable attempt, but one that is better suited to children's hospital collections than to public or school libraries. --Denise L. Moll, Lone Pine Elementary School, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Without sugarcoating the ordeal, the book is upbeat, culminating in a class party for which everyone wears a favorite hat."

Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807541168
• ISBN-13: 978-0807541166
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any child diagnosed with cancer., July 7, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope (Hardcover)

I first read this book in the local pharmacy while waiting for a prescription to be filled. Written by a local author who meant nothing to me, I found it upbeat and reassuring but soon put it out of my mind. Several years later, when my youngest daughter was diagnosed with bone cancer, a friend gave us a copy of the book and suggested I contact the author. The story was an inspiration to my daughter, the first hope that a child with cancer could survive to have a story told about her. When she later met the subject of the book, a friendship formed. No other book about cancer is so directed towards children (with the exception of Goes' "My Book about Cansur" actually written by a 6-year-old with cancer) without talking down to them and putting an ugly disease into undeserved "pretty" terms of courage and bravery. This book should be given to every child upon diagnosis.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll love this one!, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope (Hardcover)

We were given this book as a gift when my daughter, at 3 1/2 yrs old, was diagnosed with Leukemia. It instantly became her favorite, and she had us read it to her over and over. It sent a positive message in such a well-written way that even a child her age could understand. She still treasures that book and last year read it to her 2nd grade class. It will always be one of our favorites!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best picture book that I have ever read!!, September 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Kathy's Hats: A Story of Hope (Hardcover)

This book is the absolutely best book that I have ever read. Kathy's Hats is a book that is good for all age groups. Any person that has had to deal with cancer in their life will greatly appriciate this book!!