Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

1. Bibliography
Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Ill. by Simms Taback. New York: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 0670878553.

2. Plot Summary
In this adaptation of a Yiddish folk song, Joseph has a little overcoat, but when it becomes worn, he turns it into a vest. When the vest becomes worn, he turns it into a scarf. And so on, until there is nothing left. Or is there? In the end, the story comes full circle with Joseph making a book about his overcoat.

3. Critical Analysis
While Taback's Caldecott-Award-winning book may be a "predictable book" with with a repeating language pattern, readers will delight in discovering how Joseph will recycle his overcoat fragment next as it grows smaller and smaller. There is nothing predictable about his ingenuity. Taback skillfully manages the peek-through holes in the pages for even more fun, creating anticipation and prediction opportunities for young readers.

The illustrations are richly textured through Taback's use of mixed media: watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink, and collage. The ethnic clothing in the book reflects the theme of recycling and making something of nothing. Taback comments at www.cbcbooks.com, "I illustrated the ethnic clothing by using collage fragments from various catalogs. So even as I created the artwork for Joseph, I was making something new from something discarded." The floor rugs are collages, as well. Rich, bright colors and an abundance of different patterns are a smorgasbord for the eyes. Plaids, stripes, prints, and paisleys abound. Close examination of the illustrations reveals a whole other level of fun: newspaper clippings with headlines such as "Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof," real photographic portraits in illustrated frames and peeking from windows, and bits of Yiddish wisdom on samplers on the walls. In another fun twist, Joseph is depicted writing and illustrating the very book he is in!

4. Review Excerpts
Horn Book--"...the art sings with color and movement and humor and personality..."
Publishers Weekly--"...unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat."
School Library Journal--"...bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit..."

5. Connections
*See also Taback's book THE OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY (ISBN 0670869392), highly praised for both language and illustrations. (Caldecott Honor book)
*Other Caldecott Award books:
Henkes, Kevin. KITTENS FIRST FULL MOON. 0060588284
Rohmann, Eric. MY FRIEND RABBIT. ISBN 0761315357
Wiesner, David. THREE LITTLE PIGS. ISBN 0618007016

*Writing Connection- students can mimic the repeating language pattern (and cause and effect pattern) in their own writing.