Recently released children’s book, ‘Hats’

Barbara Pyett’s background is as a special education teacher. For the last two decades she has been a writer living in Victoria, Australia. She shares her fantasy world with her childhood friend and partner. They unite in their fascination for dreams which germinate ideas for stories. Barbara writes as Christopher paints. Their idyllic life-style has been enhanced with nine grandchildren, who continue to inspire further stories.

Barbara’s first children’s book, Lily’s Wish, was published by New Frontier Publishers in 2011. It is an early childhood Christmas picture book. Lily lives in the UK and writes to Santa asking for wings, so that she can fly. She misses her Grandmother in Australia and wants to be able to fly to visit her.

Hats, an early childhood picture book, released on 30 September 2021 by Austin Macauley. This children’s book of poems was inspired by the game of hats she played with her own children. The game includes all age groups which in itself  becomes a learning tool for little ones to increase their vocabulary. Hats is illustrated by Vinh Tran with quirky, vibrant illustrations which are anime inspired.

Review for Hats

Barbara’s Children’s book, Hats, portrays, with engaging illustrations, options for children to choose from when asked the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ The fun aspect for kids in this rhyming story is the focus on hats. Kids love to wear hats when they dress up and this story will inspire their imaginations and conversations about the variety of roles people play in society.

Janice Lawrence

B.Ed. M.Ed.

Review for Hats 

In this sprightly, nimble and gently amusing book, Barbara Pyett explores the realm of adult vocation from the point of view of the young child. Euphonious and instructive, her rhymed stanzas are both memorable and playful.

The list of occupations is prefaced by the question,’When I grow up what shall I be?’

This is a perfect springboard into the domain of work – each vocation seen through the lens of its characteristic hat.

This hat motif gives the book its consistency and playfulness, as it draws the child into an assortment of roles, enabling them to role-play the part they see unfolding.

Pyett’s use of rhyme is delightful, and functions as an aid to the child’s memory, as well as instructively showing them opportunities and pathways that may lie ahead. At every stage we sense the equality of diverse roles in society.

Pyett also very subtly brings in the theme of climate change and its ravages. Her characters are seen as doing their utmost to mitigate fire and flood.

From builder to princess, from baker to vet, from sea captain to gardener, and from doctor or nurse to apiarist and teacher, the verse covers an expansive scope, leading at the end of the book to a suggested game for children to play, thus giving them through hats a costume play and reason to dream of the future.

Hats is illustrated by the whimsical Vinh Tran, whose pictures complement in their freshness and humour the same qualities in Pyett’s verse.

Lucy Wilks

Poet and musician

Foreverbear, is Pyett’s next early childhood picture book, release date, yet to be announced. This book is also being published by Austin Macauley and reflects on the loss of a grandparent.

A child relates her sorrow with her teddy bear who finds he can talk. They share memories remembering the good times.