I fondly remember this book from my childhood and wanted to share it with my children. They love the story and even act out the parts and try to balance several hats on their heads. My 3 yr old requests it practically every night.

Caps for Sale is a delightful tale that is simple but with the right amount of absurdity that kids love. The repetition of words and the copycat element (when the monkeys imitate the peddler's actions)is entertaining for very young children.

In searching reviews to find great books, I struggled to remember if I liked this one as a kid! I remembered the cover, but not the story! When it came, I was delighted to find that I loved the story, and my son has a NEW favorite book! He grins ear to ear as soon as the peddler wakes up from his nap and discovers only one hat left on his head. My 20 month old doesn't sit still from that point on in the story. He crouches so as to make monkey gestures and sounds. He wags his finger and says "tsk tsk tsk" just like the monkeys! He stomps his feet and waves his arms just like the monkeys! The monkeys are so mischievous, and I think my son relates! LOL! All in all, the little copycat monkeys throw their hats down to the peddler when he gets angry enough at their taunting to throw his hat down on the ground! It is very cute. There isn't variety in the illustrations as the same vintage colors are used on every page, but the story is so strong that I have to give this one 5 stars! Enjoy! I still do!

"Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina is a marvelous children's book. An ingenious plot that I remember from my childhood. Now I am enjoying it again with my children. I was always fascinated by how he balanced those hats. The illustrations are quite simple but intriguing. Just looking at Pezzo with all those hats piled one on top of another is more interesting than many of the high tech special effects I have seen in today's movies. Sometimes the simple way is the best.

Pezzo's situation looks bleak as the monkeys that stole his caps are scattered high in the tree. His act of frustration actually serves to get his stolen caps back from the playful monkeys. It shows a child that no matter how impossible a situation is, if you think you can find a solution.

It is an ideal book for shared reading and offers opportunities for the young ones to learn about the structure of a good story that clearly has a beginning, middle, and end. You need this one if you would like your child(s) to learn how to make predictions, recognize patterns, sequence events, and notice setting elements.

It has already been around for over sixty years, and another sixty should be an easy reach for this delightful book. If you can find it, I also recommend Pezzo the Peddler. In that one he goes to a circus carnival and his hats fall off and the circus performers mistakenly take them. This book has a lot more text but also a more intricate plot.

This is a classic! It should be in every children's library. Children will laugh at the monkeys and wonder about the peddler. If parents act out this story your children will always remember this one. It is an excellent story.