Traditional Literature

Artwork by Simms Taback
Image from www.simmstaback.com

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

by Simms Taback

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph had a little overcoat. Ill. by the author. New York: Viking.

ISBN 0670878553

PLOT SUMMARYBased on a Yiddish folk song, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat tells the story of Joseph, his overcoat, and his resourcefulness. When his overcoat becomes worn and old, he makes a jacket out of it. When that gets worn and old, he makes a vest out of it. And so on he goes, until finally, Joseph loses the last remnant of his overcoat - his button. But clever Joseph makes something out of that too!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In his Caldecott Award winning book, Simms Taback beautifully draws readers into a slice of Jewish culture. Because it comes from a song, Taback’s text has natural rhythm and pace that make it ideal for young readers. Its simple repetitive lines and cadenced pattern is just begging to be read aloud. Taback cleverly includes numerous details of Jewish culture - from the Yiddish newspaper on the street at the fair, to the books authored by Jewish authors, to the reference to Fiddler on the Roof. Most notably, however, is the inclusion of the English version of the original song that the book is based on at the end of the book.

Truly deserving of the Caldecott medal, Taback’s artwork, constructed using watercolor, Gouache paint, pencil, ink and collage, are filled with small details that keep the reader engaged and surely coming back for more. Die-cut holes on each page give readers a little hint into what the fabric will turn into next, each time getting smaller and smaller until there is nothing left. In the end, however, Taback has truly made a wonderful “something out of nothing.”

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is recommended for ages 3-7, but is sure to be enjoyed by all.

 REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud.” Publishers Weekly, 1999

“Taback’s mixed-media and collage illustrations are alive with warmth, humor, and humanity.” Booklist, 2000

“A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit.” School Library Journal, 2000

1999 National Jewish Book Award

1999 Sydney Taylor Book Award

2000 ALA Notable Children’s Book, Young Readers

2000 Caldecott Medal

CONNECTIONS

Use this book in a lesson on sequencing: What did Joseph do when his __ got old and worn? Have students retell the story by filling in the blank with each item Joseph made and what he did immediately after. Other sequencing books to use can include:

--I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn

--Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein

--This is the House that Jack Built by Simms Taback

--There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

Other possible lessons for this book could include a unit on clothing and weather, or recycling/re-purposing items that get old. 

Other books for children illustrated by Simms Taback

--Postcards from Camp

--I Miss You Everyday

--Mommies and Babies

Visit Simms Taback’s website.

View the animated version of the story Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Written and illustrated by Simms Taback, narrated by Rob Reiner on “Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Wheels on the Bus and More Musical Stories.” Produced by Weston Woods/Scholastic, 2001.

From the video mentioned above, here is an excerpt of the traditional song “I Had a Little Overcoat” found at the end of the book and the movie.