Joseph Had a Little Overcoat -Simms Taback

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. New York, New York: Viking. ISBN 0670878553.

PLOT SUMMARY

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a story of thrift and resourcefulness. Joseph is a talented farmer who finds a new use for the tattered fabric of his overcoat. Instead of throwing it away, he makes it into something else, and then as the new garment gets worn he creates something else from it again. Joseph finds a new use for it every time. When there’s no more, he writes a book about it –creating something out of nothing! A marvelous illustration of the expression “renew, reuse, and recycle.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is an illustrated retelling of the Yiddish folk song: “Hob Ich Mir a Mantl” translated “I Had a Little Overcoat”. The full text and sheet music are on the last page as a final surprise. The illustrations represent a traditional rural Jewish community. When this folk song was new, the audience were Yiddish communities living in villages in Eastern Europe. It is a wonderful sample of Yiddish culture: the amazing illustrations, the cultural allusions and values, and especially the music at the end.

The plot is a simple sequence of events with clear resolutions presented in a logical progression. Each activity is culturally (or functionally) relative to wearing that piece of clothing (the scarf to chorus, or the kerchief to dinner).
Taback’s repetitive, short phrases make it easy for children to repeat and remember the story.

Joseph had a little (jacket). It got old and worn.
So he made a (scarf) out of it
and (sang in the men's chorus)

The vivid illustrations undeniably bring the story to life and create the mood for Joseph and his changing cloth. Taback uses watercolors, Gouache, ink, pencil, and collage to create fabulous illustrations that you can't absorb in just one sitting. Joseph participates in traditional activities with his friends and family. He works in the field and cares for his animals. Throughout you will find references to Yiddish culture creating a ‘seek-and-find’ element that children love. For older readers: newspaper clippings, photographs, icons (Fiddler on the Roof). On the pages of this book, cleverly placed die-cuts suggest what Joseph will make next out of his overcoat.

Without ever saying a word about it, this book impresses on the reader that creative thrift is valued and enviable. The story of Joseph’s practical re-use of what he already has opens the doors for a broader discussion of the value of thrift at home and in our economy. Cultural conversations and lessons on peace are vivid throughout this book. For example: What does Shalom Aleichem mean? (“Peace be unto you”) How many times is it present in the illustrations? What does that suggest about the value of peace in Joseph’s community?


REVIEW EXCERPT

Barbara Kiefer, chair of the Caldecott Award Committee, commented, "Vibrant rich colors, playful details, and skillfully-placed die cuts contribute to the books raucous merriment that takes this Yiddish folk song far beyond the simple words.” Barbara Kiefer Chairs the Caldecott Award Committee. June 1, 1999.

CONNECTIONS
The Bedtime Sh'ma: A Good Night Book by Sarah Gershman; illustrated by Kristina Swarner 9780939144549

Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin 9781428701960

Nine Spoons by Marci Stillerman, illustrated by Pesach Gerber 9780922613847

For more books on Yiddish culture, go to http://sydneytaylorbookaward.blogspot.com/ . The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

Among the 40+ children’s books he has written and/or illustrated, Simms Taback’s books have won many awards, including the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. a Caldecott Honor for There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, designation as a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, the Children’s Book of the Year selection from The American Institute of Graphic Arts, and a Notable Book designation from the American Library Association. Simms was a founding president of The Illustrators Guild, which later merged and became the New York Graphic Artists Guild.