Sandown’s 2026 Grand Regatta Hat Parade on Sunday 9th August 2026 – open to hat makers of all ages – is awarding hat-inspired books, as well as cash prizes, to this year’s tip top toppers.
A hat-ful reading list
As part of the National Year of Reading, Brevity, the Island’s literary zine and Boojum & Snark, compiled a suggested reading list of books with hat in their titles. And thanks to a partnership with the National Literacy Trust, these hat books will be offered as unique prizes at this year’s event.
‘Tipping our caps’
Anmarie Bowler, Editor of Brevity, The Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, explained,
“When National Year of Reading was announced for 2026, we wanted to create a fun, inclusive list of recommended books to encourage reading for pleasure.
“So, we challenged ourselves to come up with an entirely hat-ful reading list, tipping our caps to a classic Sandown summer event.”
What’s on offer
This year’s Best Hat category will win £100 and a hat book of choice. Several runners up will also receive books. In addition, there are prizes of £50 for the Best Under-12 Hat and the Mad Hatter award for the most eccentric creation.
These winners and several runners up will also receive books. This year’s cash prizes are courtesy of Boojum&Snark, Brevity, GRAFT Studios and Sandown Hub.
Hundreds of books donated
Tracy Mikich of Boojum&Snark explained,
“The National Literacy Trust has kindly donated several hundred books to the Island this year, as part of Go All In National Year of Reading events.
“We’re particularly grateful that they wanted to support Sandown’s Hat Parade with this special collection of books.”
Sandown’s Hat Reading List includes:
- Hats of Faith by Medeia Cohan and Sarah Walsh (ages 2 to 5)
- I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (ages 3 to 6)
- Clara Button and the Magical Hat Day by Amy De La Haye and Emily Sutton (ages 3 to 7)
- The King’s Hat by Shelia May Bird and Mark Beech (ages 3 to 7)
- Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet (ages 3 to 8)
- Rosie’s Hat by Julia Donaldson and Anna Currey (ages 3 to 6)
- This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen (ages 3 to 8)
- We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen (ages 4 to 8)
- The Hat Full of Secrets by Karl Newson and Wazza Pink (ages 5 to 8)
- The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant and Paola Escobar (ages 9 to 11)
- A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett (ages 9 to 13)
- Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama (ages 10+)
- The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks (ages 18+)
- A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre (ages 18+)
- The Man in the Wooden Hat by Jane Gardam (ages 18+)
- A Cat, a Hat and a Piece of String by Joanne Harris (ages 18+)
- The President’s Hat by Antoine Laurain (ages 18+)
Bay Heritage Champion Paul Coueslant, and one of the event’s organisers, said.
“The generous book prizes will extend the joy of the Hat Regatta for weeks to come, as winners read exciting stories about hats.”
Gathering on the beach
The Hat Regatta gathers early afternoon on the beach near The Sundial Cafe, Sandown PO36 8AT, in preparation for the Parade’s 2.30pm start.
For more information about The National Year of Reading 2026 visit the website.
News shared by Anmarie, in her own words. Ed
