I Want My Hat Back s/c back

A bear hath not his hat on.

He misses his hat and wants to know where it's at. To that end he wanders through the forest and enquires of his fellow creatures as to its location. Alas, no one has seen it, but he always thanks them anyway.

"Have you seen my hat?"
"What is a hat?"
"Thank you anyway."

"Have you seen my hat?"
"No. Why are you asking me.
I haven't seen it.
I haven't seen any hats anywhere.
I would not steal a hat.
Don't ask me any more questions."
"OK. Thank you anyway."

Hmmm. Something slightly suspicious about that rabbit.

It's only when one animal asks for a description of the hat that alarm bells of recollection ring.

With dead-pan delivery, utilising the very same, obliviously straight-faced image of the bear right up until the wake-up call, this is an exceptional children's storybook which is, most emphatically, a comic. It's a comic because without the pictures it simply couldn't work: the key moment halfway through is visual.

But the genius of the punchline lies in the dialogue and, like the rest, in repetition. Specifically it lies in reprising the lie which, given that you'll be buying this for your young 'uns rather than yourself (possibly - I bought it for myself!), I for once feel free to partially give away. Here the shoe is on the other foot and the hat now on another head as a squirrel approaches a much mollified bear.

"Excuse me, have you seen a rabbit wearing a hat?"
"No, Why are you asking me.
I haven't seen him.
I haven't seen any rabbits anywhere.
I would not eat a rabbit.
Don't ask me any more questions."
"OK. Thank you anyway."

For more Jon Klassen head-wear hilarity, please see THIS IS NOT MY HAT. It really isn't.

Do not steal other people's hats! There will be repercussions.