The Yiddish folksong about resourcefulness and resilience is brought to life in Simms Taback’s wonderfully inventive watercolor, gouache and collage illustrations. As Joseph’s overcoat is worn to an increasingly smaller and smaller piece of fabric, he recreates it, first as a jacket, then a vest, a scarf, a tie, and handerchief, a button and, finally, a song. Taback cleverly uses die-cut pages to show each bit of the garment in its new form and style. Set against the backdrop of an Eastern European village, the paintings are filled with Yiddish cultural references that add depth and humor to the story overall. An author’s note at the book’s end explains why Taback chose to reillustrate a story he first published in 1977. (Ages 3-8)

Joseph had a little overcoat, but it was full of holes—just like this book! When Joseph's coat got too old and shabby, he made it into a jacket. But what did he make it into after that? And after that?

As children turn the pages of this book, they can use the die-cut holes to guess what Joseph will be making next from his amazing overcoat, while they laugh at the bold, cheerful artwork and learn that you can always make something, even out of nothing.