RI’s Jackie Katz Has 243 Hats — And a New Children’s Book

RI’s Jackie Katz Has 243 Hats — And a New Children’s Book

Jackie Katz is well-known in Rhode Island for her popular “Mrs. Katz and Her Hats" storytime at libraries.

And while she is used to reading other authors’ books to children — she now has her very own. 

Along with local illustrator Nancy Brandley, Katz has self-published the aptly titled “Mrs. Katz and Her Hats,” which brings her unique story to life. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Katz spoke with GoLocal about both her journey to Rhode Island, and now, published children’s author.

“I’ve been doing ‘Mrs. Katz and Her Hats’ for 35 plus years, starting with 20 years in California before we moved here,” said Katz, where she said she had a ‘9-5’ job in elementary libraries.

“One day, I came across a crazy dog hat at a Halloween store,” said Katz, who decided to wear it to read to her students. 

And according to Katz, all of the “little squirrelly kids who wouldn’t sit still” were suddenly fixated.

The hats were a hit. 

And soon, the collection grew -- so much so, Katz' husband Steve built her a climate-controlled hat room in their basement. 

“I now have 243,” laughed Katz. 

 

Writing Her Own Chapters

Katz was born in New York, and moved to California as a child.

It was there she met her husband, who got a job at Raytheon, and the family moved to Rhode Island -- and never looked back. 

"We love the four seasons," said Katz. 

And it was at Portsmouth High School where she met art teacher Brandley, and the two became "fast friends."

"I’ve always wanted to write a children's book. About three years ago, we said we should do this," said Katz. "It was a partnership from the get-go."

"So we came up with the little vignettes, and we just took the little bits and moved them around," said Katz. "We wrote it and re-wrote it and brought in professional editors. Every page is hand watercolored, which took almost a year. It’s just been such a passion project."

According to Katz, the "hats all talk to each other" in the book. And like most children's books, there are lessons to be learned. 

"We all wear hats but none like Mrs. Katz, because her hats come to life!" writes BookBaby, where "Mrs. Katz and Her Hats" can be purchased online. "And one hat in particular, the sprinkle-covered donut hat, learns the value of friendship, patience, and waiting your turn."

The book is now available at Paper Packaging and Panache in Bristol and Barrington Books.