Book Review JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Ill. by Simms Taback. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0670878553

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this picture book, Simms Taback writes about a man, Joseph, who has an overcoat. The overcoat eventually gets old and worn which consequently leads Joseph to turn it into a jacket. The jacket then gets old too, so Joseph makes the jacket into a vest. This same thrifty pattern continues until the once overcoat is turned into a button. Joseph loses his button, and because there is nothing physically left of the jacket, Joseph writes a story about it. The moral of the story is you can always make “something out of nothing” by being creative and imaginative.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Taback uses simple language, short sentences, and plenty of repetition throughout the book. The author’s style of writing is sure to get young readers involved and trying to read along. In the story, Joseph models to children—rather than preaching—that one most make the most out of the things one has.

Most of the story, however, comes from Taback’s illustrations. The watercolor and collage-style artwork is bold, bright, and detailed. The illustrations show the reader that Joseph is an older Jewish man who lives in a farm, but also add some humor and cleverness to the story. One example of this is a newspaper thrown on the ground with the headline “Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof” with a picture of an arrow pointing to a house roof labeled “scene of accident.” Taback’s captivating illustrations, bold colors, and die-cuts are sure to charm young children, and his clever wit is sure to entertain older readers.

4. AWARDS WORD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Medal
American Library Association Notable Books for Children
National Jewish Book Awards

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.”
BOOKLIST: “Taback's mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and … a million details to bring children back again and again.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Another book about reusing old things:
Wong, Janet. THE DUMPSTER DIVER. ISBN 0763623806

*Lead a discussion about the importance of reusing, recycling, and/or donating old items with children. Children can then bring in one old item from home to make something new out of it.
*Gather other books by Simms Taback and discuss his unique style of art work. Look at the colors, techniques, and details and discuss what they add to the story.

Taback, Simms. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY. ISBN 0670869392
Taback, Simms. THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. ISBN 0142402001


Image Credit: Amazon.com