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book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Taback was inspired by a traditional Yiddish folk song, that tells the tale of a poor man whose overcoat had many holes. He cuts is down to make a jacket, and when that is worn, he cuts it down further to make a vest. He continues in this way until there is nothing left … and then he makes a book! Proving that with some ingenuity you can make something from nothing.
Taback’s wonderfully detailed illustrations earned a Caldecott Medal. I found myself pouring over the vibrantly colored pages, full of small details that pictured traditional Jewish life in Poland. In his illustrations Taback includes letters, newspapers, portraits, books and posters. These details will appeal more to adults, but I marveled at the little history lessons included in them. He even has a “Fiddler on the Roof” in one illustration! I also love the cut-outs that show the use of fabric scraps.
Taback’s wonderfully detailed illustrations earned a Caldecott Medal. I found myself pouring over the vibrantly colored pages, full of small details that pictured traditional Jewish life in Poland. In his illustrations Taback includes letters, newspapers, portraits, books and posters. These details will appeal more to adults, but I marveled at the little history lessons included in them. He even has a “Fiddler on the Roof” in one illustration! I also love the cut-outs that show the use of fabric scraps.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute story, with engaging, interactive illustrations.
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
5.0
A charming story of reusing old objects and enjoying time with your friends and family. As Joseph's overcoat becomes worn, it's turned into a jacket, a vest, a scarf, and so on down. The story ends with the musical score, so you can read again with a better rhythm. Just prepare for your kids to want this read multiple times if they think they can get you singing with them!
Of course, in addition to just being entertaining, you could use this as part of a lesson on preservation and reusing items about your house. Especially important in our very throwaway culture.
Given that this was published in 1999, it would have been odd for this book to YouTube to play for your little ones. It would be nice if future publications of this contained a link to the song, even if it was just the tune, for parents to sing along. For now, though, this is fine.
Of course, in addition to just being entertaining, you could use this as part of a lesson on preservation and reusing items about your house. Especially important in our very throwaway culture.
Given that this was published in 1999, it would have been odd for this book to YouTube to play for your little ones. It would be nice if future publications of this contained a link to the song, even if it was just the tune, for parents to sing along. For now, though, this is fine.
beyondevak's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a clever little book. I loved it! The illustrations were filled with color and texture. The story was interesting. The main premise was definitely something the reader could learn from. Excellent!
ipiulaloutre's review against another edition
5.0
J'aurai adoré lire ce livre enfant. Les dessins sont remplis de détails amusants. Les couleurs sont chaleureuses. Les découpes sont bien réalisées. Le livre est de bonne facture.
cstoeger's review against another edition
Joseph turns his overcoat into a button.
librariandest's review against another edition
5.0
Famous for his die-cut illustrations, Taback really knows how to work the surprise-and-delight angle. The book has a lot of Jewish culture in the illustrations, too, including little aphorisms and allusions that make up the details of his illustrations. This book would be great for story time with older toddlers or kindergarteners. Really fun.
allmadhere106's review against another edition
3.0
For: readers looking for a silly book that promotes guessing what will happen next.
Possible red flags: dwindling possessions.
Possible red flags: dwindling possessions.
brooke_review's review against another edition
2.0
Joseph had a little overcoat ... that went through a lot of little changes. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is based upon a Yiddish folk song about an overcoat that gets made over time into other garments. In the work, Joseph’s overcoat gets worn out, so he makes it into jacket, which gets made into a vest, which gets made into a scarf. The remaking of the garments continues until Joseph’s overcoat is a tiny button, and alas, seemingly nothing at all.
The theme of the book is one of resourcefulness and that “something” can always be made of “nothing” if one thinks outside the box. Joseph’s garments continue to become worn and torn over time, but instead of throwing them away, he crafts them into something new. The plot of the work focuses on Joseph’s modification of his garments and his day-to-day life wearing them. The writing style is repetitive – we learn repeatedly that Joseph’s garments have become “old and worn,” and he thus remakes them into something new.
There isn’t much of a written story here, but by examining the illustrations, one gets a fuller picture of what Joseph’s life is like. What makes this work stand out from others is the use of an actual cutout on the pages, which works in two ways – to show the changes in Joseph’s overcoat and to sometimes play a part in the previous page’s illustration. The cutouts, in addition to the vibrantly colored and detailed illustrations, enhance a book that otherwise consists of simple, and sometimes dull, sentences describing Joseph’s life. However, the reader can find much enjoyment in the Caldecott Award-Winning illustrations. Joseph’s culture is clearly on display, from letters, to newspapers, to photographs, to religious objects. In addition, the collage work is stunning and eye-catching.
The work would probably find its best use as an individual read so that one can have the full experience of touching the cutouts and examining the illustrations. Due to its Caldecott Award status, the work is an essential purchase for all libraries.
The theme of the book is one of resourcefulness and that “something” can always be made of “nothing” if one thinks outside the box. Joseph’s garments continue to become worn and torn over time, but instead of throwing them away, he crafts them into something new. The plot of the work focuses on Joseph’s modification of his garments and his day-to-day life wearing them. The writing style is repetitive – we learn repeatedly that Joseph’s garments have become “old and worn,” and he thus remakes them into something new.
There isn’t much of a written story here, but by examining the illustrations, one gets a fuller picture of what Joseph’s life is like. What makes this work stand out from others is the use of an actual cutout on the pages, which works in two ways – to show the changes in Joseph’s overcoat and to sometimes play a part in the previous page’s illustration. The cutouts, in addition to the vibrantly colored and detailed illustrations, enhance a book that otherwise consists of simple, and sometimes dull, sentences describing Joseph’s life. However, the reader can find much enjoyment in the Caldecott Award-Winning illustrations. Joseph’s culture is clearly on display, from letters, to newspapers, to photographs, to religious objects. In addition, the collage work is stunning and eye-catching.
The work would probably find its best use as an individual read so that one can have the full experience of touching the cutouts and examining the illustrations. Due to its Caldecott Award status, the work is an essential purchase for all libraries.