Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a well-known story comprised of simple sentences and repetitive phrases. Joseph, the main character, has an old overcoat. However, when the overcoat gets too shabby, he decides to make the overcoat into a jacket. Joseph, a very creative and resourceful individual, transforms the jacket into a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and a button. After Joseph loses the button, the reader is led to believe he has nothing left. However, he then makes a book out about it. The moral to this story, which is stated at the end of the story is "You can can always make something out of nothing."
I am especially fond of the unique layout of the illustrations. Every other page reveals strategically placed die-cut holes in an effort to keep the reader predicting, "What will Joseph make next?" Allowing children to predict what will happen next in a story is an excellent reading strategy. When the reader turns the pages, the die-cut fits perfectly on Joseph. I found the vibrant combinations of watercolor, collage, gouche, pencil, and ink in the illustrations quite appealing. I also enjoyed looking at the detail embedded in the artwork.
As I read this story about Joseph, I was somewhat reminded of my own mother. My mom absolutely does not like to throw things away. In fact, when told she needs to throw something away, she will usually say, "Why would I want to throw that away? I might can use it sometime." My mom loves to reuse things! I believe it gives her a pleasant feeling of accomplishment.
Author and illustrator, Simms Taback, has written many books. Similar to Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, Taback has also written the popular children's book, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. This humorous story has many similar features such as repetitive phrases, detailed and bold illustrations, and strategically placed die-cut holes found in the book.
After reading Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, one thing I learned about children's literature is that the possibilities of creativity truly are endless!
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My mother is the same way, "I might use that some time." I think it's a required generational trait. My grandmother is 94 and has told stories of making dresses out of feed sacks. I always pictured them to be stiff like grass sacks until I watched Kit Kitredge: An American Girl. Her mother made the most charming little dresses from those sacks that had a nice blue floral pattern!
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