• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Happily Ever Elephants
Happily Ever Elephants

Happily Ever Elephants

The Best Kids Books Found Here!

  • Home
  • Book Lists
  • Kids Book Clubs
  • Spring Books!
  • About
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Books by Age » 0-2 » Paying it Forward with Hooray for Hat!

Paying it Forward with Hooray for Hat!

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: May 20, 2016 ·  Modified: May 24, 2021 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

This is one of the best board books about the concept of paying it forward – that when we take care of our friends, that joy will come back to us tenfold. We love Hooray for Hat, and due to its repeating verses, we think this is one of the best books for two year olds.


Best Board books and best books for two year olds, Hooray for Hat

It’s a dreary Monday morning and you are in line at a drive through Starbucks wishing you could be anywhere but on your way to work. But when you pull up to the check-out window, your day is immeasurably brightened when you learn the car in front of you paid for your coffee. And so you, in turn, pay for the car behind you – and you hope it continues and continues again. That’s the best, right? That’s what I think of whenever I read this book.

So why do we think Hooray for Hat is one of the best books for two year olds?

It is impossible to turn the pages of Brian Won’s darling Hooray for Hat! without smiling– and that goes for both you and your kids. This book screams happiness, even when the animals depicted on the inside pages are at their grumpiest. And this is precisely why we think it’s one of the best board books for your kiddos.

Hooray for Hat! begins as an elephant wakes up and feels awfully grumpy. Alas, a present outside his door reveals a fun new hat, and it brightens elephant’s mood considerably. What follows is an intro to several more grumpy animals, each in turn made happier when elephant and the others share the hat. This book perfectly illustrates the concept of paying it forward, teaching even the youngest readers that their simple actions can brighten the world around them.

I adore this sweet story and it’s vibrant illustrations, and I think it is especially wonderful for the set that is graduating from board books but doesn’t yet have the attention span to sit and listen to a long story. The minimal text is repetitive and predictable. Children will quickly be able to chime in with the book’s two main phrases — “go away I’m grumpy!” and “hooray for hat!” – which allows kids to become active participants in the story and provides the perfect way to engage even the most reluctant readers. Most importantly, this interaction helps strengthen early reading skills. Any book that encourages children to view themselves as readers is deserving of a spot on your shelves. Hooray for this joyful book- and Hooray for Hat! Definitely one of the best books for two year old kids!

Want the book? Get it here! Hooray for Hat!, by Brian Won.  *This is an affiliate link.

RELATED: Happily Ever Elephants has the best books for toddlers to instill a love of reading in your kids. Check them out!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

0-2

« Previous PostMoo, Ba, La La La!, by Sandra Boynton
Next Post »Top Ten Picture Books

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

  • 0-2

    Self Esteem Books for Kids: OLD HAT and Loving Our Odd Traits!!
  • 0-2

    We Found a Hat, by Jon Klassen
  • 0-2

    Self Esteem Books for Kids: OLD HAT and Loving Our Odd Traits!!

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Happily Ever Elephants!

Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

AS FEATURED IN

Good Housekeeping

Spring Books!

15+ Cute Bunny Books for Kids!

The Best Easter Books for Toddlers

15 Sweet Children’s Books About Flowers

10+ Children’s Books About Rain

SEE ALL SPRING BOOKS

Popular Posts

kindergarten-read-alouds

These Kindergarten Read Alouds Will Wow Kids!

The covers of 9 of the best books for 10 year olds.

The Best Books for 10-Year-Olds To Excite Your Kids!

The cover of Gossie with some rubber ducks, a great book for 2 year olds.

The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds Your Reader Will Love!

beginning-reader-books

The Ultimate List of the Best Books for Beginning Readers!

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB

Browse by Age

BABY + TODDLER (0-2)
PRE-K (3-5)
BEGINNING READER (6-7)
GROWING READER (7-9)
TWEENS (10-12)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join 70k+ Instagram Followers

Find even more great book recommendations with the @happily.ever.elephants Instagram community!
Join more than 70k+ parents for more tips, recommendations and reviews.

Footer

Don’t miss a single book.

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Buy the Books

The best virtual book clubs for kids. Why read alone when we can read together?

JOIN NOW!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 ·  Happily Ever Elephants LLC ·  Review Policies & Disclosures ·  Accessibility ·  Website by Anchored Design

0 shares