The Children of Hat Cottage

Quick Look

Three children and their mother live in a cottage shaped like a hat, on a little island. A charming story about help from unexpected places.

Description

Three children and their mother live in a cottage shaped like a hat on a little island in a lake. One day their mother goes to the mainland to find yarn to make the children new clothes. While she's away the children try to help around the house, but housework is much harder than they thought.

They have great fun sweeping the chimney -- but they get very dirty. They wash their clothes in the lake and dry them over a fire -- but fires are hard to control... Will Hat Cottage be standing by the time their mother returns?

A charming story from Elsa Beskow about getting help from unexpected places, with lively illustrations in her classic style.

Reviews

'This charming little fairytale with a true vintage feel ... A lovely little book, with simple illustrations, a combination of drawing and watercolors. Perhaps a book you’ll never grow out of.
-- Littlescandinavian.com

'The story is enchanting and Beskow's illustrations are gorgeous.'
-- smilinglikesunshine blog

'This is a sweet little story with simple, but lovely illustrations. The themes of independence, triumphing over adversity, and keep one’s cool in the face of disaster are great for shared storytime. The fairytale aspects of the setting will delight children who want to believe in gnomes and little spirits, and the poise with which the mother picks up the remains of her burnt-out life and makes the best of it is something I shall aspire to when things are higgledey-piggeldy in my life.'
--playingbythebook.com

'The charming fable was published in Sweden in 1930, and its vintage feel is positively refreshing.'
-- Kirkus, February 2012

'The Children of Hat Cottage … uses simple, yet quirky illustrations and words to best effect, this story is one most children will identify with because it is all about three children's good intentions turning unintentionally into mayhem.'
--Early Years Educator, April 2012

'Elsa Beskow's illustrations are as wonderful as always. There is good reason for Swedes loving her books so much… I'm really pleased that someone -- in this case Floris Books -- decided to publish Elsa Beskow's books for a new and wider audience.'
-- Bookwitch, May 2012

Author

Elsa Beskow is a Floris Books featured author. Read all about this author's life and work on our dedicated author page.

Elsa Beskow (1874-1953) is the most popular children's author--illustrator in Sweden. Often described as Sweden's Beatrix Potter, Elsa Beskow's picture books have been known and loved for over a century. Her charming stories of children and magical folk, accompanied by her signature illustrations, are known and cherished the world over.

Media

Find out more about Elsa Beskow and her world on our Elsa Beskow Biography and Book Information page. Includes a complete book list.

Links

Find out more about Elsa Beskow and her world on our Elsa Beskow Biography and Book Information page. Includes a complete book list.