Mr McGee and his hat by Pamela Allen

Mr Archimedes' bath has always been a firm favourite of mine so I was thrilled to see that Pamela Allen, in her 90th year, has written a new picture book starring Mr McGee. This time Mr McGee, who lives under a tree, is getting ready to play when a strong wind blows him, his hat, his cat and his bed high above the ground. When the wind stops, they all fall down, but Mr McGee cannot find his hat. Where could it be?

Mr McGee looks everywhere for it – under the table and under the bed, high up a hill and in a grove of trees, and even on top of a haystack. Young children will have immense delight to knowing more than Mr McGee – and will be able to point to where his hat is hidden.

The rhyming story is a delight to read aloud and would be a boon for a young beginner reader with its complementary illustrations. And those illustrations in pastels and black outlines – what fun! Mr McGee is a plump old man with a tiny moustache and bald head. His cat with its expressive face will bring chortles of laughter and the way the wind blows Mr McGee’s possessions around is very funny. All will ensure that Mr McGee and his hat becomes a firm favourite with young children, one that will be read repeatedly, and will be handed down to the next generation.

My copy will be winging it way to my grandson, and I’m sure that other books by Allen will become favourites, especially those about Mr McGee like Mr McGee and the elephants and others like A bag and a bird.

Themes: Mr McGee, Mystery, Hats, Peace, Humour, Verse.

Pat Pledger