JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT

1. Bibliography

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

2. Plot Summary

This very vivid Picture book tells the story of a man named Joseph who owned an old, worn out overcoat. Instead of throwing it away, a very creative Joseph uses the material to make a smaller garment, and then a smaller garment. This process continues until there is only enough fabric left to cover a small button. When Joseph loses the button, he writes a book about his experience, proving that “you can always make something out of nothing”(Taback, 1999).

3. Critical Analysis

For this story, Taback uses short sentences and direct language to tell a very simple story about a man that recycles his coat instead of throwing it out. This very direct narrative has a stark absence of details which are instead obtained from vibrant illustrations. Taback's use of bright primary colors and bold patterns mirror the feelings of hope found within the story as Joseph finds good in everything and makes something out of nothing. These amazing illustrations are composed of painterly, collage, and die cuts which together make the pictures appear to jump right off the page.

4. Review Excerpts

Caldecott Medal
National Jewish Book Awards
ALA Notable Book for Children
Horn Book Guide: “Clever, humorous, visually engrossing, poignant”
School Library Journal: “bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit”

5. Connections

-Gather other books by Taback and discuss his use of color to convey feelings. You might also discuss the use of die-cuts and what they can add to a story.
*THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY by Simms Taback

-Read the following books and discuss the idea of a book that teaches a moral lesson.
* AESOP'S FABLES
* THE CLASSIC TREASURY OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON