Joseph's small, old overcoat

Description

This is the work of Sims Taebaek, winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Illustrator by the New York Times. From an old overcoat to becoming a button, we can learn wisdom through its frugal history. It is a simple but carefully constructed story that stands out for its vivid colors, humor, and originality.

Joseph has one overcoat that he cherishes. However, I've been wearing it for so long that it has holes here and there, and now it's even tight.
While Joseph was wondering what to do, he cut off the worn-out part that had holes in it, made a jacket, and wore it nicely. As time passed, Joseph's jacket became so worn that it could no longer be tilted, and this time he made a vest out of it and wore it. And as time passed, the vest became a scarf, the scarf became a tie, the tie became a handkerchief, and the handkerchief eventually became a small button. The large overcoat became the button for Joseph's stylish overalls. Then one day, the button fell off Joseph's clothes and disappeared somewhere.
After patching, cutting, and making, Joseph's lovely overcoat ended up becoming buttons... Now that he has lost that button, won't Joseph be able to make anything anymore?

1. This story is taken from a traditional Jewish folk poem and can be sung as a song by taking advantage of the rhythm of the repeated story.

2. Through DIE-CUT HOLE (holes used in illustrations), the limitations of the flatness of picture books are overcome, and children develop their logical skills by imagining and guessing what the overcoat will gradually change into through these holes in each page.

3. Behind the interesting story and rich detailed descriptions, the philosophy and lessons of economy, frugality, and self-confidence are subtly revealed.

4. The detailed illustrations in cool, bright colors are fun to explore, and children can experience Israeli culture through picture books.

Author introduction

Author: Sims Taebaek
Taebaek Sims, twice selected as the best illustrator by the New York Times, currently teaches at the American School of Visual Arts and Syracuse University, and is also active as an art director and graphic designer.
So far, I have worked as an illustrator for over 35 children's books, and I have been working as an illustrator for 『Joseph's Little Old Overcoat... ?”, which earned him the Caldecott Award in 2000. There are picture books such as 『Once upon a time, there lived an old lady who swallowed a fly』, which won the Caldecott Honor Award in 1997, and 『Who said that?』 and 『Ouch, noisy!』.

media book review

Children's Book Research Group:

When Joseph's coat gets worn out, he makes it into a jacket, vest, scarf, tie, handkerchief, and buttons. When he has nothing, he writes the story into a picture book. He gives subtle lessons in fun and humor to children who only like new things. A device that drills holes in the shape of the next clothes so that they can predict what clothes will change into next stimulates the interest of children.