Skip to main content

Escape from Hat, by Adam Kline and Brian Taylor

This past week my lovely company launched a brand new children's book, Escape from Hat, by Adam Kline. The book is scattered with illustrations from Brian Taylor, some in color and some in black and white.

The book tells the story of a brave rabbit, Leek, who is determined to do whatever it takes to return to his boy, Cecil. Aided by a warrior she-rabbit, Morel, the pair travel through a perilous land without a sun, a place replete with monsters, dimmer-dammers, and the rabbits' arch-enemies - the black cats.

I love all of ZOVA's book releases equally, but some involve a more unique vision than others. Escape from Hat is not like other books. It's incredibly hard to categorize, being most accurately described as a "fanciful epic." It stands on its own in a number of ways, not least for the artistry of its words, the strange fusion of its language and illustrations, and the tongue-in-cheek allusions peppered throughout the text.

You may have noticed that I don't write very often about ZOVA's book releases here, and that's in large measure because I try to separate my work from my personal life. But this is a book that has seeped into the cracks between my two worlds. It's one I continue to read for pleasure as well as vocation. I recommend it to everyone with abandon, not because I had a hand in its development, but because it's a book that everyone will love.

And because this is a personal blog, filled with personal thoughts and feelings and experiences, I'm going to say this from the bottom of my most personal heart: You, too, should read this book. And you, too, should share it with friends.

Here's how:

1. Buy it on Amazon*. The print book is beautiful, but the digital book is lovely too. The color illustrations look incredible on a Kindle Fire screen. I have seen them.
2. Review it on Amazon, agree with the tags you see there, and copy your review over on Goodreads as well.
3. Share the book with your local elementary school, middle school, or library. They will appreciate it. If they want more, tell them to contact the publisher (you know who) directly. I love those people.
4. Post one of the above links on Facebook or Twitter, or pin the cover to your "favorite books" board on Pinterest. If you tweet about it, hashtag #escapefromhat so we can find you and share in the conversation.
5. I see you are now an avid fan. You can follow the author on Facebook, and the illustrator on Twitter and Pinterest.
6. Still wondering what to do with your love? Buy more copies and ask for them to be gift wrapped. Stow them away for Christmas, or let the cat out of the bag early.

And please drop me a note. I would love to hear your thoughts.

*I know most of you personally, so if you can't afford to buy a copy, let me know. You can borrow mine. No, really.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

because you were all wondering what I'm writing my dissertation on, here's a brief synopsis of my 'research context': When James Macpherson published his Fragments of Ancient Poetry in 1760, he went to great lengths to make the Fragments appear to be authentic remains of an ancient, heroic oral tradition. His reasons for this were largely political, and as such, influenced the content of the epics themselves. As an attempt to establish a particularly Scottish identity, the poems were quite effective. However, to do so required both a simplification and a manipulation of traditional mythology. Stripped of anagogical significance, the Ossian epics more or less represented an Enlightenment version of history, tradition, and mythic heritage. The stories themselves were changed by their very purpose and in turn changed the manner of representing myth in future narratives. Moreover, the emphasis on the Ossian epics as authentic tales from the past, as ‘fragments,’ served...
6 comments
Read more

birthday wishlist

Enough people have asked me what I want for my birthday, that I have decided to post a wishlist on this blog. I know that twenty-six is long past the age of getting significant presents, but I also know that there are some people who will buy me things anyway. So I might as well. DVDs and music seem to be the fallback for me. It's difficult to get me something I don't like in this arena - but a list might be helpful. I guess. So I need to replace my copy of The Village, allegedly stolen by druggies. This is a must. I keep forgetting, and then regretting that I don't have it. I don't have any film adaptations of Dickens novels - and no, I don't want Nicholas Nickleby. I like Our Mutual Friend and David Copperfield best. I would love some classic Hitchcock films. I'm not interested in any of the ones with Carey Grant. But I like all of the others. Except maybe the Birds. And I simply love How to Steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole. I don'...
5 comments
Read more

window in the sub

Dear Nathaniel, I am microwaving pie that Mom bought up in Oak Glen this week on her way home from the orthodontist. As I put it in the microwave, I was full of sadness that I was not in Oak Glen with her. Why did I not go? I was working. I want to see the trees turn. I want to wander slowly through autumnal gift shops. Under the water, you cannot sense the approach of the seasons. Even here it is difficult because, after all, it's California. But I can still sense it. After three seasons in Illinois and one in Scotland, it must be with me for good. Or at least for a while. Because I am all abuzz with eagerness for fall and winter, for turkeys and dried leaves and Santa. I should start cooking again this fall. Fall foods are my favorite. Baked squash dripping with melted butter and brown sugar, pumpkin soup... this year, if I have enough money, I will put together a holiday dinner for my friends. And we will drink Scandinavian mulled wine, which is the most wonderful thing I have e...
13 comments
Read more