Looking Back To 1999

And to think it all started with just a little overcoat...

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Via blogs.iwu.edu

This Caldecott Medal Winning children’s book was written and illustrated by Simms Taback in 1999. The story being told creates an inspiring lesson, while also being fun and engaging. The pages contain cutouts of each new item of clothing that will be presented on the next page. These cutout holes allow kids to try and guess what will be made next, creating a little guessing game, until he or she turns the page and the answer is revealed. Also, most of the pages contain a repeated line, “It got old and worn,” allowing the reader to become more comfortable with the story. But at the end, that line is changed, bringing a little surprise to the reader. Furthermore, the bright colors and amusing images created with collage, make each page surprisingly appealing. After reading the book, kids can go back and study all the illustrations and see things they did not even realize were there the first time. Cutouts, colors and pictures are all combined to create this one-of-a-kind story. This children’s book is recommended for ages 3-7 years old.

Here’s a little more about the story:

In this children’s book, Joseph starts out wearing a little overcoat, but it is old and worn. He then decides to make a jacket out of it, but soon that becomes old and worn as well. So what will he make next? With each turning page and the wearing out of each item, Joseph creates something new. And then, when Joseph ends up with nothing, he creates a great moral for all to learn from.

Click here if you're interested in learning more about the Caldecott Medal.

Below is the link if you’re interested in purchasing this book:

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Stay tuned next week for another children’s book must-have with #ABC’sChildren’sReads