Baby Hats

We have a baby, and have been given plenty of books, clothes, and toys. Two books are from the Global Fund for Children organization: the board books "Global Babies" and "Global Baby Bedtimes."

One thing you learn having a tiny human around is that they are quite enamored with other tiny humans. So two books full of pictures of babies from around the world are hot items in any zone with its own baby.

"Global Baby Bedtimes" is pretty cool, showing babies from all over going to sleep, and we read it (or a different bedtimey book) right before bed as part of the nighttime routine.

But the other book, "Global Babies" showcases one specific thing to an American like myself: the embarrassing state of the American-baby hat industry.

I have compiled a thorough collection of the various hats that babies wear from around the world as evidenced in the photos, the last of which is the boring USA's example.

The cover reveals a little something of what's to come, with a tiny human from China:

Pretty rad headgear. But then check out this awesome Thai...headdress? I mean, is this the birthday party of the crown prince or, possibly even cooler, just some jungle kid chilling out?

And then, holy cow, I know that Afghanistan is kind like the moon and all, but they have some bitchin' hats for their babies:

The tiny Himalayan Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan seems to weave beret-styled beanies that would be big sellers in hipster markets around Brooklyn, Portland and Austin:

In Greenland it makes sense to have such a cool parka:

In Guatemala the woven fabric features jaguars and tomatoes? How much American baby gear have you seen with both jaguars and tomatoes?

On the streets of Manhattan you can purchase one of these Peruvian ear-flap hats during the December-to-March months, but here it's authentically featured where it would have historically been for centuries:

And then we get to the American baby, wearing an acrylic beanie:

Maybe because I'm so close to the beanie-lifestyle (America and American living) it just seems so boring. Maybe kids in Thailand are like, "Whoa, check out that cap machine made from unnatural fabric!" Maybe the shape drives people from other places crazy...

I mean, even this Iraqi kid has cooler head jazz, and it isn't even a hat:

Check those books out is you have soon-to-be-arriving babies in your life. Part of the money spent funds charities designed to help vulnerable babies and children around the world.