The Hat by Darya Lenkou is a children’s illustrated book that brings Charlie Chaplin’s story alive. 

Review

In life, we rarely come across grand opportunities that help us realize our full potential. Whenever we get such a chance, we should grab it and pursue our dreams wholeheartedly. At times, people may ridicule us or laugh at our efforts. They may try to diminish our spirits and stop us from going after our desires. However, we should never let that hinder our way to success. 

In The Hat, Darya Lenkou pens a story of a little mouse who gets an opportunity of a lifetime. A long time ago, Charlie, a small-town mouse, tried hard to gain entrance into a popular movie theater in a big city to no avail. Dejected, he wandered the streets with his only friend, a bug with a broken wing. All of a sudden, he comes across a bowler hat. On a whim, Charlie tried on the hat meant for humans. Magically, the hat shrank to his size. Little did he know that the hat would change his life irrevocably. 

Would Charlie make full use of the hat and pursue his dreams or would he succumb to peer pressure and let go of this grand opportunity? 

To find out, read Darya Lenkou’s The Hat

The Hat is a lovely children’s illustrated book by Darya Lenkou. I love how Lenkou beautifully brings the story of one of the world’s greatest performers, Charlie Chaplin, alive for children. By giving the maestro’s tale the form of a simple mouse’s story, Lenkou ensures that her book is suitable for children. She creates an imaginative world where the little ones can easily be teleported. The easy-to-understand language makes the book ideal for children. Also, I love how Lenkou breaks the fourth wall at times and directly addresses the readers. This not only makes the story enjoyable but also is bound to capture the attention of the readers. The way she seamlessly integrates the message of being confident in oneself in a fun manner is truly admirable as well. 

The illustrations in The Hat give off a 1920s vibe. They perfectly complement the writing. I believe that the pictures make Charlie’s story all the more authentic as Charlie Chaplin himself was at the peak of his career during the 1920s. Also, I have to say that the illustrations are really intricate. The expressions of all the characters come alive through the drawings. I am confident that this would delight both children and adults. 

Darya Lenkou is a talented illustrator as well. After reading The Hat, you can never fathom that she does not have a degree in art. She is that good. Her passion to enliven her stories is evident through both her writing and illustrations. I am truly eager to read more books by this extraordinarily talented author. 

Overall, Darya Lenkou’s The Hat is an amazing read. I highly recommend it to children and adults alike. I believe people who like Charlie Chaplin and have a penchant for old Hollywood movies would be delighted by this book as well. 

Book Details

  • Title: The Hat
  • Author: Darya Lenkou
  • Genre: Children’s Illustrated Book
  • Theme: Self-confidence, Identity, Performance
  • Publication Date: October 11, 2022
  • ISBN or ASIN: B0BJ14C13Z
  • Number of Pages: 25
  • Minimum Audience Age: 1

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

  • Sexual themes: 0
  • Religious themes: 0
  • Violence, self-harm, etc.: 0
  • Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0
  • Other adult themes: 0

Children’s Book Features

  • Good role models for younger ones: Yes
  • Moral values: Yes
  • Good social manners: Yes
  • Age-appropriate language and topics: Yes
  • Age-appropriate illustrations: Yes
  • Gained the approval of a licensed educator or professionals in a relevant field: Not specified by the author
  • Based on scientifically-proven data or similar information: Not specified by the author
  • Produced through industry-standard research processes: Not specified by the author
  • Other relevant information:

Rating

  • Content: 5 stars
  • Writing Style: 5 stars
  • Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
  • Uniqueness: 5 stars
  • Editing: 5 stars
  • Other factors: 5 stars
  • Overall: 5 out of 5


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By Kajori Sheryl Paul

Reading is my passion, and writing is my compulsion. I started reading from a very early age. Since then, I have not stopped. I have garnered this addiction from my father. I have always loved reading his books. As you can see, books are my world. I escape this world to traverse the world of my books. Naturally, I have an affinity to create worlds of my own. There are thoughts constantly swirling in my head. These are the thoughts that I jot down. Sometimes, they become poems while sometimes stories. More often than not, they are just reviews of the plethora of books I read and the things I do.

2 thoughts on “A Book Review by Kajori: “The Hat” by Darya Lenkou”
  1. What a unique subject for a children’s book. And who doesn’t love the Roaring Twenties?

    1. Indeed, the Roaring Twenties offer a fascinating backdrop for any story, and it’s refreshing to see such a unique subject explored in a children’s book. The era’s vibrant energy and iconic style are sure to captivate young readers, making for an engaging and educational reading experience. Here’s to more creative storytelling that brings history to life for children!

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