Title: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Author: Simms Taback
Illustrator: Simms Taback
Audience: ages 3 and up
Summary: Joseph had a little overcoat that was worn and full of holes so he made it into a jacket. As the jacket continues to wear out it becomes in turn a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and a button. Each coat transformation is accompanied by some joyful experience depicted in vibrant colors. The jacket is worn to a fair, the vest to a wedding, the scarf to a men’s chorus, the necktie to a family visit. When Joseph loses the button he has nothing left except a story to tell. And that’s the moral: you can always make something out of nothing. This slight story is based on an old Yiddish folk song that is included at the back of the book.
Literary elements at work in the story: This Caldecott Medal book is a marvelous wedding of story and picture. As each page is turned the reader can look at the next die cut hole and guess what Joseph’s coat will become. The pages are filled with color and details: cloth, buttons, scissors, thread, people, animals, pictures, and such things as a news paper headline: Fiddler falls off roof. When Joseph is left with nothing the room is empty and even the animals slip away; when he begins to write the room becomes crowded again. A story for all ages.
How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? Joseph lives in an unspecified time and place so the only perspective affecting the story is the richness and vitality of the Yiddish culture, the source of the song.
Theological Conversation Partners: Joseph is a wonderful example of good stewardship; nothing is wasted, possibilities are seen in worn and damaged goods, and everything is enjoyed. In our society of over consumption and planned obsolescence, Joseph is a model who creatively uses and re-uses. Remarkably, as the material of the overcoat diminishes, Joseph finds continued occasions for joy. Compare Joseph with Paul. Philippians 4: 6,-13. Joseph demonstrates how to use what we have, not simply clothing but also the world’s resource responsibly and joyfully. And though Joseph says nothing about the source of his coat, we have ample reminders in the Bible about the source of our good gifts.
Genesis 1: Psalm 24:1, James 1:17, 1 Peter 4:10. Joseph is a good companion in studies of stewardship, of care of the earth, in learning to praise and give thanks.
Faith Talk Questions:
- Do you have any clothes that are worn out? What do you do with them?
- What did Joseph do with his? Did he continue to enjoy what was left?
- Can you think of things you do that waste what you have-clothes, toys, school supplies, food? What changes could you make?
- How does your community try to save and recycle? Do you know what happens to these things? How could you find out?
- Joy is an important part of Joseph’s stewardship. How do you express your joy for the many gifts God gives you?
- Why is Paul content in every circumstance? What is contentment?
- It’s easy to understand making a vest from material. Joseph seems to think non-material things can be made into something. Can you think of something you can make using just your mind or voice?
- The Bible tells us that God made us stewards of the earth. How can you be a good steward? Do you think Joseph was a good steward?
This post was written by regular contributor Virginia Thomas.