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About The Book

The only rule for attending this party is . . . you MUST bring a hat. But what if you don’t own a hat? Will bringing a monkey wearing a hat be enough? Find out in this tale that builds to a gloriously surreal and hilarious ending.

About The Author

Simon was born in Chichester in 1988 and has lived there ever since, although he occasionally leaves to buy milk. After gaining a 1st class degree in History at Exeter University, he immediately put his skills to good use working as a barman at a local pub. He soon grew tired of the owner calling him Andy, and so, naturally, decided to become a primary school teacher. Teaching rekindled his love of children’s literature, particularly picture books, so much so that he had a go at writing his own. Deciding he was better at writing stories for children than he would ever be at teaching them, he made a swift exit from education to live the cliché of the writer who works in a bar. He hopes that one day he’ll be able to give up writing stories and become a barman full-time. 

About The Illustrator

Kate Hindley studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art, and went on to work for two years as a children's print designer at a studio in Northampton, whilst working freelance on children's books and greetings cards. She has now illustrated many much-loved picture books, including Oliver and Patch by Claire Freedman (author of the Aliens Love Underpants series) and the award-winning You Must Bring a Hat and the brilliantly funny Be More Bernard, both written by Simon Philip. Kate has also illustrated the popular children's fiction series, The Royal Rabbits of London by Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore. In 2019, Kate launched her adorable Treacle Street series lift-the-flap books, for which she both writes and illustrates. Kate lives in Bristol.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK (June 30, 2016)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781471117312
  • Ages: 2 and up

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Raves and Reviews

This glorious cumulative story sees the requirements for entry growing ever more stringent - and the list of party-goers ever longer. It builds to a superb and wholly unexpected ending which will delight young readers. Gloriously illustrated, with an immense amount of careful detail which mustn't be missed. Wonderful!

– Parents in Touch

Colourful, fun and easy to follow, young kids will love having a look through the illustrations while you read them the book in bed.

– Mummy Pages

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More books from this author: Simon Philip

More books from this illustrator: Kate Hindley