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Tad-cu's Bobble Hat ISBN: 9781848518261
Doyle, Malachy and Spikes, Dorry
Published by Pont Books, 2014
This beautiful picture book about the relationship of a little boy and his granddad (Tad-cu) is set in Wales, and we have mountains and cawl soup and a bobble hat with 'Cymru' embroidered on it. When Tad-cu and the little boy set off up the mountain, it begins to snow, and Tad-cu gives his grandson the hat to help him keep warm. Going home, he loses the hat. Granddad is philosophical: 'You'll find it another day. There's always another day.' But the hat remains hidden under the snow, and when it melts, Tad-cu has died. There is no mention of death; but the cough that Tad-cu always had has gone and all is silent at the little house under the hill. The boy and his mum go up the mountain and find the hat, very important to both of them because it was to Tad-cu, and the little boy will keep it 'forever'. The illustrations are a marvel, with lots of colour, much of it autumnal, and a feel of the countryside so in keeping with the story. The relationship between Tad-cu and his grandson is loving and vibrant and full of joy, and we know the little boy will keep his full-of-memories bobble hat. A lovely book.
Age: 5+