Book Review for JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT by Taback

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Taback, Simms. 1999. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0-670-87855-3

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Spanning seasons and presumably years, Taback's boldly colorful tale takes the reader along an upbeat journey of one man and his coat. Based upon a classic folktale/folksong, Joseph Had A Little Overcoat depicts a Polish man of Jewish faith who has a treasured overcoat which wears with time and is crafted into various other items. When it becomes to tattered to serve as a coat the garment becomes a jacket, then a vest, a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief, and finally, a button. When the button is lost, Joseph, never deterred, creates a story about his overcoat to share with others. This short tale is upbeat and charming portraying through illustrations the Jewish culture of family, hard work, and frugality.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Taback produced Joseph Had A Little Overcoat as a labor of love. This story is based upon a favorite song of his childhood which he treats to a beautiful illustration and book conversion. Using a darker palette of bold colors, he takes the reader from a countryside farm surrounded by animals to a choir meeting, to a city, and into the main character's home for glimpses into Joseph's daily life.

This story is infused with humor and a lighthearted spirit. Using strewn about newspapers or quotes on the wall of the home, Taback communicates with the reader Joseph lives in Poland and is of Jewish heritage. Papers written in Hebrew are one indication of culture and religion in the book. Taback also illustrates people in the book in traditional Jewish dress and of traditional Jewish appearance, and on a table in the home, a menorah is seen. Lively photos on the walls of Joseph's home give the reader other ideas about his life. Family is communicated as important throughout the piece indicated by these framed photos, cards he recieves, and trips he takes.

While a younger reader will enjoy the story, adults will find things uniquely included for them with the book. Taback, using the newspapers and wall adornments, provides anecdotes and draws in familiar references to works of Jewish literature which are very familiar to readers. For example, one newspaper on the floor of Joseph's home proclaims the Fiddler falls off the roof. Another depicts a Rabbi being dunked in the ocean so he can explain why it is salty. These subtle items will likely escape some but are almost a game for an older reader to find.

Another ingenious element of Taback's work is his use of die-cut holes. As the pages are turned they are tied together through small cut-outs allowing for glimpses of other pages. This feature provides continuity and connection throughout the story. It is almost as if the story is playing peek-a-boo with the reader. This feature will gain younger readers attention as they attempt to identify what will come next.

Joseph Had A Little Overcoat reflects a positive outlook on life and happiness from beginning to end. Animal characters, drawn in a whimsied style, surround Joseph and provide him with companionship all through the tale. Readers see seasons change through bright illustrations of vegetables and foliage. At every turn Joseph takes what he is given and presses forward. He does not bemoan his coat wearing out; he makes something useful out of it and does it with a smile. His resilient spirit is encouraged and echoed by cards and letters the reader observes from friends in his home. Readers will be bolstered by this sweet and simple tale of family, thrift, and joy.



4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Amazon-  "filled with rhythms and arresting colors that will delight every reader"

Publishers Weekly (1999)- "Taback works into his folk art a menagerie of wide-eyed animals witnessing the overcoat's transformation, miniature photographs superimposed on paintings and some clever asides reproduced in small print"


5. CONNECTIONS

*tell the story with a brown bag of items (a menorah, stuffed farm animal, yarmulke, coat, scarf, button, etc.)
*challenge students to find the "hidden" elements of the book (the cards, letters, newspapers, etc.)
*pair the students to identify the meanings behind the Jewish references in the story
*have the students conclude where Joseph was from and then find three facts about that country to share with the class
*read a version of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors to the class and discuss similarities and differences of the two stories