Rogers Free Library’s favorite storyteller recently launched a new book, Mrs Katz Lost Her Hat!, a follow up to their debut, Mrs. Katz and her Hats!

The launch was held at the library’s children’s room on a very rainy May evening, but that didn’t stop the many small Mrs. Katz fans from turning out to hear Katz read from her latest project with artist and co-author Brandley. The event included readings of both Mrs. Katz books followed by an art project directed by Brandley.

Katz also shared her origin story, and it began with a trip to Party City.
“I had gone to Party City with our boys and saw my very first hat,” she said. That hat, now well-loved with replaced eyes and a broken collar, she named Spot.

“And about a week later, I went back and I bought Kitty Katz,” she continued. “And I started wearing these hats and the kids just stared at me like I was this crazy wacko lady, but they sat still and they paid attention.”

That’s when Katz realized she was on to something.

“I realized this hat thing…this is going to work. It’s just kind of evolved from there,” she said. “I have 317 different hats and my husband Mr. Katz built me a hat room in my basement.”

Katz and Brandley met working at Portsmouth High School, Katz in the library and Brandley in the art department right around the corner. They collaborated on the first Mrs. Katz book during COVID, with Brandley spending about a year illustrating. It was released 2 years ago.

“As soon as we were done, we were like, let's do another one,” said Katz.
Brandley then showed how she figures out the layout and brings the illustrations from concept to sketch to the final images in ink and watercolor, all from her Bradford St. studio.

Katz then read their first book aloud, before debuting Mrs. Katz Lost Her Hat! (Spoiler alert: storytime books have happy endings.)

“It means the world to me how much support our small town has shown Nancy and me,” said Katz. “These two books are truly our passion projects. Seeing the kiddos' faces light up when they walk into our beloved library for storytime makes my day.”