Joseph had a Little Overcoat

 

Bibliography

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph had a Little Overcoat. Ill. Simms Taback. New York: Viking Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780670878550

Plot Summary

This book tells the story of Joseph, who begins with a little overcoat that eventually becomes old and worn. Instead of throwing it out, he repurposes it into smaller items like a jacket, vest, tie, etc. He continues to repurpose the overcoat until he has nothing left. But Joseph turns the “nothing” into something, making a great lesson about being resourceful.

Critical Analysis

Simms Taback’s adaptation of a Yiddish fold song captures the humor and resilience of the Jewish tradition. The story is very repetitive and rhythmic to help children anticipate what will come next. The entire story gives a cozy lesson about being creative, resilient, and to be resourceful. 

The illustrations standout a lot in this story. Taback uses bold color and die-cut holes to show the next transformations of the overcoat into a new item. This becomes very interactive and engaging for young readers, as they are eager to turn the page to find out the next creation. The folk-art style adds warmth and cultural appeal to the story as well.

Review Excerpts

Starred Review from Children’s Literature: “Taback has clothed this well-known tale with comic characters, bold colors and a die-cut on each page to highlight the journey from coat to button to memory.”

Connections

This book would pair well with lessons about folktales and oral tradition, or about Jewish and Eastern European stories. It can be used to spark discussions about recycling, resourcefulness, and sustainability. Students can then create their own “something from nothing” project. The students can reuse old materials to make art or practical items.


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