Author-illustrator Brian Won

Hooray for Friday! Hooray for quality picture books! Hooray for authors and illustrators who finish my sentences! Hooray for Brian Won's Hooray for Hat! 

I'm beyond excited to celebrate Brian Won's Hooray for Hat! I've read it and watched its book trailer at least 20 times. I hope you and your students smile and laugh as much as I did when you read it. I predict you will! 

Image credit: Brian Won 

I wrote the words in red, and Brian wrote the words in black. 

The book trailer for Hooray for Hat! is something I really get a kick out of. I'll catch myself whistling the song while driving.

The #PictureBookParade is Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s showcase of their Spring picture books. By clicking this hashtag on twitter and other social media, readers can view fun “easter eggs” like process and Q&A’s from all the amazing HMH Kids authors and illustrators. You’ll recognize Zebra fancy stepping on the invitation. 

Image credit: Brian Won

My Picture Book Sounds series is a peek into the music playlists of picture book authors and illustrators. I have some really awesome people on board for later this year. I can't wait to share them with you!

Illustration credit: Brian Won

Charlie and Friends is a series of illustrations for my son when he was a toddler. These drawings would be the start of my journey into children's books. After receiving some encouragement from friends and family, I put the series into a portfolio and headed to my very first SCBWI conference in 2012.

Photo credit: Brian Won

Picture books are all important. I say this because I see the way my son connects with all types of books. Some picture books are classics or best sellers, but even the lesser recognized ones make him light up with joy. The world is a bigger and more fantastic place because of each and every picture book he reads.

Reading is the one thing my folks never got bummed on me for doing. I was allowed to read past my bedtime and even at the dinner table! I was about to say what great parents they are, but realized they probably did it to keep me quiet.

Mr. Schu, you should have asked me why I wrote Hooray for Hat!  When my son was 2½ years old, he was having a difficult time sharing. I tried to explain the actual benefits of sharing, but couldn't get past, "Because it's a nice thing to do." In researching why, I came across a Time's article about the science of happiness. The following excerpt would become the inspiration for Hooray for Hat!

"Giving makes you feel good about yourself," says Peterson. "When you're volunteering, you're distracting yourself from your own existence, and that's beneficial. More fuzzily, giving puts meaning into your life. You have a sense of purpose because you matter to someone else."

My son, now 4 yrs old, still struggles with sharing, but to be honest, I do too.

Thank you, Brian! 

Hooray for Brian Won! He is giving away this signed 8.5 x 11 archival print from Hooray for Hat! I am giving away two copies of Hooray for Hat! You can enter both giveaways below. 

Borrow Hooray for Hat! from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.