Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

 

Traditional Literature Review

Bibliography:

Taback, S. (1999). Joseph had a little overcoat. Penguin. 

ISBN 0670878553

Plot Summary:

Joseph had a little overcoat, but it soon became as full of holes as the pages of this book! As the story continues, Joseph wears his coat until it is old and worn, then turns it into something new. It goes from an overcoat to a jacket, from a jacket to a vest, and so on. The die-cut pages help readers guess what smaller and smaller items have been created from the worn-out garment. Joseph's animals and neighbors watch in surprise as Joseph mends and creates, until the pieces of his overcoat become so small, maybe he cannot create anything more!

Critical Analysis:

Simms Taback draws from a Yiddish folk song called "I Had a Little Overcoat" to create his colorful and clever story. Single, repetitive lines of text on each page make this a simple book for readers of all ages to read, understand, and enjoy. Taback's art blends the use of watercolor, Gouache (similar to watercolor but less transparent), pencil, ink, and collage. Young readers may delight in seeing the use of real photographs of food and people collaged with Taback's drawings. Die-cut pages give a glimpse of what Joseph will create next and provide a clever look at the new creation. Small details in the illustrations help give clues to the European Jewish background of Joseph and the story. The style of clothing worn by Joseph and his neighbors, items like a menorah and a dreidel, and newspaper clippings saying things like "Fiddler on Roof Falls Off Roof" all indicate this background. A note from the author and sheet music of the original song provide more context for the reader.

Review Excerpts:

"This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat." -Publisher Weekly

"...clever, visually engrossing, poignant, it's worth holding on to." -Horn Book Magazine

Connections:

This book lends itself to a few excellent art lessons. Younger students would enjoy decorating an outline of Joseph's overcoat with fabric like the images found on the book's inside cover. Older students may like to use the idea of reusing materials to create something new out of scraps of cardboard, fabric, old toys, or anything else that might otherwise be thrown away! This could easily extend into a lesson about "reduce, reuse, recycle."

Music teachers could use the book in a music lesson as well, using the music and lyrics at the end of the book to draw from.

Awards

Josepsh Had a Little Overcoat won the Caldecott Medal in 2000.

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear

Picture Book Review

Bibliography:

Mattick, L. (2015). Finding Winnie: The true story of the world's most famous 

    bear. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

ISBN 0316324906

Plot Summary:

Before there was  Winnie-the-Pooh, there was Winnipeg the bear. This charming story details the real-life adventure of a little bear named Winnipeg, Winnie for short, and the connection between the narrator, Harry (Winnie's original owner), and a boy named Christopher Robin. 

Readers are drawn into the story by a mother telling her son, "A true story. One about a bear." Set against the background of World War I, Harry Colebourn joins the army as a veterinarian and, along the way, finds and buys a bear cub from a trapper. Harry names the bear Winnipeg, so he'll never feel far from home, and they travel together to the city of tents where the army is set up. Winnie becomes the Canadian Infantry Brigade mascot and joins the troops on the ships to London. Harry's heart and mind conflict on the best way for Winnie to continue living, and as the mother continues telling her son the story, it takes a surprising and personal turn!

Critical Analysis

Lindsay Mattick's style in this book comes across as a story within a story. While the majority of the story is being told in the mother's words about Harry and Winnie, her son's occasional interruptions make their way into the narrative. This can be relatable to parents, but a bit confusing to young readers and listeners (and their parents at first, too!). The theme of friendship and family is woven throughout the book. 

The Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations of Sophie Blackall create a beautiful glimpse into this wonderful story. The illustrations carry the reader through the journey of Harry and Winnie, as well as mother and son, as the story is told. Real photographs of the people in the story also emphasize the authenticity of the story.

Review Excerpts:

"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually." -School Library Journal, starred review

"Little ones who love Milne's classic stories will be enchanted by this heartening account of the bear's real-life origins." -Booklist, starred review

Connections

Children may recognize the lovable bear in the story as the famous Winnie-the-Pooh. Readers may relate to the mother or son in the story, or to the veterinarian with such a love for animals that he adopts a bear cub at a train station! This book would be a good example of primary sources.

Awards

Finding Winnie was the Caldecott Medal winner in 2016, an award given to the most distinguished picture book for children by the American Library Association.