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Joseph Had a Little Overcoat (Caldecott Medal Book) (精装)
by Simms Taback
| Category:
Education, Picture books, Baby-Preschool, Age 4-8 |
| Market price: ¥ 178.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A beautifully illustrated book with a wonderfully meaningful and touching story that has a moral importance to rember for children and adults. A must buy! |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 7 items |
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Paula Johnson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
In this story, Joseph has an overcoat that is worn and old. He makes the overcoat into a jacket. As the story progresses, the jacket becomes a vest. The vest becomes a scarf. The scarf becomes a necktie. The necktie becomes a handkerchief. The handkerchief becomes a button. In the end, the button is lost. Joseph writes a book about his overcoat down to his lost button. He claims that you can take nothing and make something.
The pages in the book have cut-outs. Children can use their imagination and guess what Joseph will make next. There is more to this story than the text itself. The reader should look at the illustrations and read the newspaper clippings. There are several cultural items in the illustrations that a teacher could use to discuss the culture. I truly enjoyed this book.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
Poor Joseph works on a farm and wears a little overcoat that is old and worn. It becomes so old and worn that Joseph has to cut and sew it into a jacket, but then the jacket becomes old and worn and Joseph turns it into a vest. And so on and so forth until Joseph learns that you can always make something out of nothing.
There really isn't a whole lot of story here. However, what the book is full of are brilliantly bright colors and inside Yiddish-cultural references. Each page of the book is filled with vivid colors that draw one's eyes all over the page like a motion picture, hoping not to miss a single thing. The book strongly appeals to children because of this color scheme and also because of the cutouts on every other page that allow children an opportunity to guess what Joseph will make next.
However, as delightful as children will find this book, adults with a background in Jewish culture might find it even more enjoyable than children do. On almost every page there are pictures, tiny letters, miniature newspapers, illustrations, etc. that allude to Jewish culture. I admit that I don't know very much about the Jewish culture, but was able to figure out a few of the references. I particularly was amused by the tiny hand-written letter and newspapers that had English headlines but the rest of the story was written in Hebrew. I think someone who could actually read Hebrew would appreciate things like that even more. This edition of the story also includes the lyrics and music to a song the author adapted, "I Had a Little Overcoat". Thanks, Simms Taback!
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E. Bird (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
Ever feel like you're too ignorant to read a picture book? For example, when you pick up Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, do you understand all the references the book's pictures make? If not, can you truly say you understand the nature of the book itself? These were the questions I had to ask myself after reading author Simms Taback's fabulous retelling of the Yiddish folk song, "I Had a Little Overcoat" (Hob Ich Mir a Mantl). The book is a crazy conglomeration of mixed media, die-cut pictures, and steady inside jokes for the well informed parent. Photographs, Hebrew script, and pen & ink abound in this colorful cacophony. I just wish I was smart enough to get all its jokes and references.
The plot, such as it is, is pretty straightforward. There's Joseph, just an average guy living in a shetl. When the book begins he has a long overcoat that's grown ratty around its edges. Quick thinking Joseph turns it into a jacket and goes to a fair. Then the jacket gets worn so it's quickly converted into a vest for when Joseph dances at his nephew's wedding. You get the picture. By the end, Joseph has whittled his former overcoat down to a mere button which he then loses. Is that the end of it? Not on your life. "So Joseph made a book about it. Which shows... you can always make something out of nothing".
The book uses a clever die-cut technique to give our hero's rapidly shrinking wardrobe a neat page to page continuation. Therefore, a page with a vest cut into it slips easily over a former picture of Joseph wearing his jacket of the same fabric. And so on. The illustrations are in a bright and colorful style, filled to overflowing with reds, greens, blues, and oranges. The scenes themselves are set in a kind of "Fiddler On the Roof" setting. In fact, there are multiple references in the pictures to Sholom Aleichem and his "Tevye der Milkhiker" (Tevye the Milkman) on which "Fiddler" was based. In addition there are references to people like Molly Picon, Mendele Mocher S'forim, and I. L. Peretz. The book is set up in such a way that a reader can pore over each detail and individual element for long periods of time. Kids who read it will discover new tiny intricacies that they may have missed in prior readings. Of course, who knows how many will get the references? Aside from Sholom Aleichem and a framed print of Sigmund Freud, I was as clueless as they come. Reading this book, I had the distinct feeling that my knowledge of Jewish history and culture is sorely lacking. But that's okay. The important thing is that this book is rife with life, energy, and a style completely of its own. It's a joy to read.
Would I necessarily have given this book the Caldecott Award it eventually received? Put my answer down as "maybe". It's hard to say. The book itself is interesting and each page an entirely new creation. I imagine it will not be to everyone's tastes. Just give it a try when you've a chance. If you'd like a picture book that displays a kind of Jewish storytelling with life and energy, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is your best bet.
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Kristi Rice (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
The Caldecott award winning Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a delightful children's book. In this story, author Simms Taback uses simple words to tell a tale about how you can take what little you have, and make a lot out of it. Joseph starts out with an overcoat, but his coat gets tattered and torn. Then he decides to downsize to a jacket. Without revealing the plot, I will tell you that Taback does an outstanding job describing the history of Joseph and that overcoat. He takes the reader through some interesting moments in Joseph's life without getting too complicated for a small child to understand. The art used in this book is in a word...phenomenal! The colorful objects, usual cut outs, and wonderful patterns are sure to keep a little one interested during storytime. This is one of my favorite children's books and a well worthy award winner! I would recommend this book to any parents, children, or anyone of any age. It kept my attention and it is sure to keep yours.
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Dule (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
This 4th edition of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat varies from its 1977 version in that the watercolor, Gouache, pencil, ink and collage artwork draws attention to subtle message in the terse, repetitive storyline. "Joseph had... So he made...out of it." Clues in the pictures provide important background information like a letter with Joseph's full name that informs us that he's a Jewish man living in Poland; a menorah; pictures hanging in his unkempt farmhouse. Also eye-pleasing are the cut-outs throughout the book that outlines subsequent clothing - all from one disheveled overcoat. Simms Taback uses every square inch of every double-page spread illustration for something. There is boldness in color in everything. It is to be enjoyed by both the reader and the listener, like producers of children's cartoons have grown to understand. Presumably, pictures of real historical figures decorate the pages and house of Joseph. Molly Picon hangs on the wall left of Maurice Schwartz, and a chapter of an open book reads "If I Were a Rothschild" by a Mr. Aleichem. This book is a perfect example of pictures sometimes meaning more than words, even though the few words actually drive the story. Intended for ages 4-8, the whole can receive something substantive from Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
Joseph Had A Little Overcoat, by Simms Taback, is about a Jewish man named Joseph and his story with his overcoat and how it became to be non-existent. Joseph starts the book with a worn out over coat, with colorful patches. As time goes on the overcoat is eventually worn into nothing. Through out the book different articles of clothing are made out of the material. This can help a reader learn what things such as a scarf or a vest are because the word is shown and a visual of the word is on the page. Visualization is the key to learning new words. The creativity that is in this book is astounding. The pictures, colors, and cut outs help the reader visualize what Joseph is doing with the fabric from the overcoat. A lot of children do not use scarves and vest and handkerchiefs all to often. The pictures and cut outs in this book help the child learn new words such as those with a visual aid. This book also teaches animals and other objects that can pose questions in a child's mind and help expand their vocabulary. With the pictures of the clothing, a child can see what a "scarf" is or something else that they might not be sure of what they are. If the child doesn't know what a word is they can see the picture and understand that it is a vest, and that can help them relate a word to a picture. I feel that Taback does a wonderful job tying in all the elements that help teach a child to read. This book is very educational with the word and picture connection. This book is a creative way to teach clothing, new words, and sparks ideas about objects and their alternate uses. It is very important for children to understand what a word is when they use it. In our society it is seems as though no one has time anymore to sit down and explain what certain words are. It is sort of expected for children to learn by themselves. Joseph's little adventure with his coat can help a child learn different articles of clothing and different uses of words. If a child can read then they can learn the words because the picture is right there in front of them. We all have different ways to learn, and it a child is a visual learner then I strongly suggest this book and this method of teaching.
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A. Stonehill (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-08 00:00>
In 1977 Simms Taback wrote Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, but for many years after its initial publication he remained disappointed with the overall presentation of the story (Publishers Weekly 10/99) and in 1999 created a newly illustrated version which won the prestigious Caldecott Medal.
The story is based on a favorite Yiddish folktale from the author's youth entitled, I had a Little Overcoat. The general plot is relatively straightforward and quickly becomes quite comical as time progresses. Joseph, the main character, transforms a ratty old overcoat into a variety of different clothing items. He changes the coat into a jacket, a vest, a scarf, a tie, a handker- chief, and finally, a button. As the story concludes, Joseph loses the button, and rather than giving up completely, he decides to create a book about it, proving to his readers that you can always make something out of nothing. The story's theme directly correlates with the author's own illustrative style as he creates Joseph's unique world from an assortment of parts and pieces using a range of media.
Simms Taback, as both the author and illustrator of this book, presents his readers with a colorfully attractive and visually stunning story that flows seamlessly with simple vocabulary, word repetition, amusing humor, and an oddball group of disturbingly curious animals. The story is told in a narrative style and the simplicity and repetition of the text effortlessly move Joseph from one page to the next as his wardrobe is creatively transformed. With each new item Tabeck repeats, "Joseph had a little... it got old and worn. So he made a..." As you begin reading, you start recognizing the stylized pattern of the story and begin guessing as to what will happen next; this seems like Tabeck's way of pushing us to fervently turn the page, albeit sometimes too quickly, causing us to sometimes miss the subtle and sarcastic humor and wit discreetly hidden within.
The absurd hilarity of the story hits readers as soon as the first page is turned. When the story opens, Joseph looks to be caught in a bit of an outlandish situation as he pets the hens and walks his pet duck on a leash. Always content though, Joseph's smile demonstrates he thrives with life and lives happily in his own surreal world, often surrounded by family and friends. Although he remains on the left side of the page, sometimes isolated, he is never truly alone. When in his home he is surrounded by life, whether in the form of a fire burning brightly, animals playing or sleeping nearby, or a window or door open to the colorful outside world in which he lives.
Throughout the story a large cast of characters observes Joseph's resourceful journey. At times the people and animals watch with baited breath, but more often than not, with a sense of annoyance and a "here we go again" attitude. When Joseph loses his button and is scouring the floor, all eyes are on him, including those of Sigmund Freud who looks to be suggesting that it may be time for a psychiatric evaluation. Joseph is a goofy character who readers cannot help but love and adore. Even when all seems lost, the animals appear to have finally given up interest and move on, only to quickly return when Joseph ropes them into his latest escapade of creating a book about his overcoat. Joseph provides his readers with a sense of energy for life, love, and community. He is proud of who he is regardless of the reaction from other characters. Joseph actually goes as far as toasting himself with a glass of tea and lemon to a job well done when he transforms his old and worn scarf into a little handkerchief.
The characters in the story are drawn in a cartoon image, yet stand alone as truly genuine. The backgrounds on each page contain a great deal of texture, often dispersedly cluttered with postcards, newspaper clippings, and photographs of people, animals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, many objects within the frames are created through collage with a series of clippings and cut outs of different patterns. Along with the drawings and collages, Taback often inserts popular Yiddish sayings, comical photographs, and humorous newspaper headlines such as "When a coat is old, only the holes are new" and "Fiddler on roof, falls from the roof!" By including pieces such as these in the story the author continues to successfully reinforce the significance of his heritage and weave the traditions of his world into the readers' minds. Humor is everywhere in the story and effectively contributes to the overall enjoyment for readers, especially as they reread.
The artwork within the pages of Little Overcoat employs media across the spectrum. They include watercolors, Gouache, pencil, ink, and collage, with each successfully complementing the text. Vertical lines are pervasive throughout the story's illustrations, demonstrating a strong sense of stability and comfort. Additionally, horizontal lines are drawn in thick bold colors to represent the calming and peaceful setting of Joseph's world. Every inch of each page is absolutely covered in bright, positive, and established colors that cause our eyes to eloquently dance from left to right, and then back again. Pastels are used often, even in scenes where Joseph is outside at nighttime. The often clichéd dark and ominous sky is painted in a calm and soothing purple with a bright yellow moon hanging in the background. When talking, visiting, or singing among his friends, pages are painted with bright red overtones contrasted with the light browns and greens of the furniture and wooden floors, and then fused with a massive collage of photographs, sketches, and writings reiterating the intimacy and importance of Joseph's community. Boldly colored rugs of red, green, blue, and orange created with patchwork patterns and photographs are scattered all over the houses as well. Joseph's character wears a bright yellow shirt and blue pants, which as the story progresses, becomes more prominent, especially as the once large overcoat transforms from a handkerchief into a button. The trademarked yellow shirt is present on every page of the story, even while Joseph is in bed it sits idly waiting on a dresser nearby. Although color is splashed everywhere throughout the story, Taback successfully mixes in a few dark tones with the pastels as he continues providing readers with feelings of a warm, calm, cheerful, and receptive space where people and animals live happily together.
Taback's application of die cutting is also quite prominent in Joseph's story. Each cut is strategically placed on the page to represent and eventually transition Joseph from one piece of clothing to the next. These cut-outs are a great way to hold the reader's attention as the story progresses and readers begin making predictions. Among the clever die-cuts are a large cow's midsection that later becomes Joseph's vest, a window filled with nosy neighbors that is cut into the shape of a scarf, and a horse with a strange looking cut-out in it's body that turns into the handkerchief of which Joseph is so proud. Taback truly goes to great lengths to ensure that humor is integrated into many aspects of the folktale.
In addition to all of the illustrations, Taback has also created the font/typography for Joseph had a Little Overcoat. The style of the text works exceptionally well with the story. Letters and words are boldly colored in yellow (the same shade as Joseph's shirt), and each word stands out as it was probably intended to be when contrasted with the cloudy black, water-colored frame around each illustration. Although a wide variety of texts in different media are present, the main story flows alone along the top of each page. The front/back cover of the book depicts Joseph with a pair of scissors in one hand and scraps of material in the other, leading readers into a brief insight and ever so slight preview of the story. Also present on the cover are some of the animals which often appear. In concluding the book Taback fills the entire back cover with buttons of all shapes and sizes, made with an assortment of media.
The endpapers each continue with the chaotic hodgepodge of paper, photos, and clothing scraps, demonstrating that although many times things appear to be useless or worthless, you can always make something out of nothing. Taback beautifully demonstrates this motif repeatedly with his regular application of collage in many of the book's illustrations. The artistic techniques used in Joseph Had a Little Overcoat truly complement the author's use of language as he presents a simple story of one man's ability to be creative and successfully make the best of his situation.
Although the story may seem a bit outlandish and twisted at times, Simms Taback develops a unique illustrative style combined with an intelligent sense of humor that truly exhibits a respect for, and understanding of, his readers. Regardless of age, Joseph's quirky inability to realize the insignificance of his creative inventions will entertain all readers. Taback's ability to draw readers into an animated world that is frequently blindsided by sarcastic spoofs, silly antics, and strange anecdotes is enthralling, so much so, that our eyes may tire from over stimulation. He is an exceptional writer and illustrator, and successfully leads his readers into becoming enthusiastic fans of Joseph and the adventures of his transforming overcoat. |
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1 Total 1 pages 7 items |
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