Frank is not like other penguins. He is imaginative, he is inventive, he is creative, he is full of ideas and that makes the other penguins nervous. Sometimes his ideas were good but sadly not that often. So they were very nervous the day Frank wore a red hat because penguins had never seen a red hat or really a red anything and Frank’s attempts to get them to try the hat, didn’t really end well.
But Frank was not one to give up. He decided that it was red that was wrong and so he created hats in a wide range of colours, none of which convinced the nervous penguins. His final attempt was, in his view a ‘masterpiece’, but the penguins were terrified calling it ‘evil’. Frank was despondent vowing to stop making hats when he is overwhelmed to discover that the seals love his hats. Finally, an idea that is appreciated and Frank has a new lease on life and a place to share his ideas.
The illustrations were created using digital collage techniques and scanned folded/painted papers. The colour palette is predominately black and white and does present a chilly landscape where a warm hat might be appreciated. Frank’s creations do introduce contrasting spots of colour, and the idea of a warm hat is captured further on the endpapers with some very creative red hat designs. A construction plan for creating your own penguin with a colourful hat is included at the end of the book
This is a funny, inventive and inspiring tale about chasing your dreams and never giving up. Many of the world’s great ideas and inventions were not immediately successful but products of people never giving up. An excellent story for generating discussion about dreams and persistence.
Shortlisted 2023 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
Winner Shadow Judging 2023 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
Shortlisted Indie Book Awards – Children’s category
Winner 2023 WAYRBA Picture Book of the Year
Shortlisted 2023 KOALA Awards – Picture Story Books
Picture Books for Older Readers
