Grandpa Jim can only see a small square of blue sky from his hospital window so Cora decides there’s only one thing for it – she will bring him some sea to go with it! First, she brings him a hat full of sea. Then she brings him a hat full of countryside. She even brings him the moon, the black velvet night and the shimmering, glimmering stars. She empties them all out onto the hospital bed for her beloved Grandpa Jim to share. Can Cora bring the hospital ward to magical life until her grandpa is ready to go outside and play with her once more? A heart-warming story about one very special hat. Or should that be one very special girl?
West Sussex Picture Books to Shout About Award 2024-2025 Longlist
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Maudie Smith writes humorous and touching stories for children aged 2 to 12 including popular title, My Must-Have Mum. She has an MA in Writing for Young People and lives in a village near Bath.
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Jen Khatun is a children's book illustrator cosily living by the coast of East Sussex in the UK. Her work resonates the hidden magic in everyday life and the close bonds between people, nature, and memories.
“Lovely, exuberant, scratchy illustrations enliven this inclusive picturebook about a little girl cheering up her grandfather in hospital with gifts from her imagination. It breezes along to a happy ending.”
- The Sunday Times
“The art is as playful as the concept, with images made up of loose lines and filled with solidly bold colors. Grandpa’s ailment is not discussed, though his stay is only temporary; children visiting relatives in the hospital will find the tale relatable and reassuring. Tackles a potentially tough topic with a blend of whimsy and warmth.”
- Kirkus Review
“A breathtaking exploration of the relationship between grandparent and grandchild, reminding us that love is all around, waiting to be embraced and waiting to embrace in return. This story is marvellous, it positively oozes love with its captivating expressions of feeling in word and illustration. A true delight to share with children of all ages.”
- Armadillo Magazine
“A touching, heart-warming story about one very special hat, a very special little girl and an intergenerational friendship that’s full to the brim with love.”
- Clare Helen Welsh, children’s author and founder of Books That Help
“An original and deftly crafted heartwarming picture book story by the team of author/storyteller Maudie Smith and artist/illustrator Jen Khatun, about one very special hat and one very special little girl and her Grandpa Jim. A fun read with a significant underlying message about caring for others in unorthodox ways, "A Hat Full of Sea" is a perfect pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-9.”
- Midwest Book Review
“As a nurse, I love this book! The hospital setting is secondary, the focus is on the grandfather and how much joy his family brings him while he’s sick. The hospital is an intimidating place, a lot of people feel uncomfortable there, especially kids. This book does a great job teaching how to show love to someone in the hospital, without being preachy. It offers an alternative way to look at illness and encourages the reader to be creative in how they show love. I am so happy to see a book that portrays sickness as secondary to the love and strong bonds the characters share, even a hospital stay could not stop these adventurers!”
- Paperbound Jess
“I love the playfulness of Jen Khatun’s digitally created illustrations that are perfectly in keeping with Maudie Smith’s warm, equally playful text. A beautiful portrayal of inter-generational love that reminds us all how important it is to spend time with loved ones.”
- Jill Bennett, Librarian, Red Reading Hub
“A sumptuous, lyrical story about the love between a grandchild and grandparent that makes your heart melt.”
- Anna Wilson, children’s book author
“A charming depiction of a loving bond between grandparent and grandchild – an example of how the imagination can reach across generations to make the world a richer place.”
- The Letterpress Project
