Joseph had a Little Overcoat

I am in California for a month of summer, visiting with family and friends.  My base is at my parents’ ranch near Yosemite, a place where I didn’t grow up, but where I love to call “home.” In this abode, my parents have dedicated a wall to historic black and white photos of previous generations of family.  A favorite diversion of my own is time travel, especially to the past. I stare into the youthful eyes of great-grandparents  from Austria, Belarus, and Poland, most who immigrated to the the United States of America between 1910-1920 in search of new hope and opportunity.  I am reminded that there was a life before the US, for my ancestors and subsequently for me . More poignantly, I recognize that I am the great-granddaughter of a web of immigrants, just like many people who cross our boarders today.  

And I think about the power of memory and stories, which provide us with the tools to go back in time, to lands and people who are infinitely connected to us, yet endlessly unfamiliar.  When I read “Joseph had a Little Overcoat,” I was transported to Eastern Europe and, as if looking through a telescope to a foreign land and time, I caught a glimpse of what life may have looked like for Great Grandpa Szmul and Great Grandma Dyna.  

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Regional focus:  Eastern Europe

Author:  Simms Taback

Illustrator: Simms Taback

Genre:  children’s literature

In “Joseph had a Little Overcoat,” we meet  Joseph who lives in the shtetl–the small villages that Jews inhabited in Eastern Europe.  He lives a modest and humble life, but his day to day is full of simple joys like harvesting in the fields, savoring a cup of warm tea and singing with the choir.  When his overcoat becomes old and worn, he uses his creativity and wit to convert the tattered fabric into new items of clothing.  Readers delight in guessing what Joseph’s overcoat will be repurposed for next.

What I love:

  • Taback’s story was converted into an animated song with authentic klezmer music.
  • In “Joseph had a Little Overcoat” we are reminded of the importance of reuse and repurpose.
  • Taback’s collage illustrations are bold and colorful.
  • Toback’s use of repetition combined with his sense of humor, lend for “Joseph had a Little Overcoat” to be an ideal story to read aloud to young audiences.

Themes: reuse, resourcefulness, optimism

Discussion:

  • Have you ever had an item of clothing like Joseph that after much use was tattered with holes or torn?  What did you do with the old fabric?
  • What does the word “recycle” mean?  What does the word reuse” mean?  How do you recycle or reuse in your home?
  • What brings Joseph joy in his daily life?  What brings you joy?

Connections:

  • Repurpose  scraps of clothing and with the help of an adult, sew a small blanket, or napkin using a basic over-under stitch.
  • Make a self portrait of yourself using scraps from magazines and recycled paper.
  • Write a new story following the same sequence as “Joseph had a Little OverCoat” where you are the main character,  “Name” had a Little “object of clothing.”  Imagine what your clothing could be reused for when  it has become old and warn.  Illustrate your story.

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Number the Stars

Lois Lowry is one of my favorite authors in the genre of young adult literature.  Surprisingly, I only discovered her writing as an almost 40 year old.  If you haven’t read The Giver, I suggest that you add the title to your summer reading list.  Lowry has a gift for writing stories that are both profound and approachable for her audience.  

I was overjoyed when my 11-year-old daughter, Emma, was assigned to read Number the Stars with her 5th grade class.  Emma and I don’t always agree on the same books, but we both found ourselves looking forward to our evening ritual of reading this story to each other.  

Regional focus:  Denmark

Author:  Lois Lowry

Genre:  juvenile historical fiction

In Number the Stars we travel in time to 1943, Denmark, where we meet the Johansen family and the Rosen family.  The two families share many similarities.  The mothers are companions and often drink afternoon tea together, the families live in the same apartment building and ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and 10-year-old Ellen Rosen are best friends and classmates.  As the  antisemitism of World War II spreads through Europe,  the Rosen family is targeted by the Nazi’s.  When Mr. Rosen suspects that his family will be “relocated,” The Johansen’s quickly receive Ellen as one of their own.

Throughout the story, the reader continues to meet characters who demonstrate bravery and courage.  We are confronted with asking ourselves, “what would I do?”

More than a story of individual courage displayed by Annemarie, we learn of the courage of a country.  We discover that during the war, the resistance movement in Denmark was successful in smuggling nearly their entire Jewish population, some 7,000 people, across the sea to Sweden.

What I love:

  • Lowry educates us about the history of World War II while creating personal connections with main characters.
  • A story that highlights everyday heroes.
  • Number the Stars reminds us of “the power of one.”

Themes: bravery, courage, empathy, war, memory, hope, friendship

Discussion:

  • How  is friendship displayed between Ellen and Annemarie?
  • What are a few acts of bravery and courage that are identified in the book?
  • Remember a time when you had to be courageous and stand up for somebody else.  What happened?
  • Throughout the story, different characters tell lies to protect the lives of others.  Generally we are taught that lying is dishonest.  Do you believe this is always the case?  Why or why not?

Connections:

  • In Number the Stars we learn that many Jews are forced to immigrate or become refuges in new countries.  Investigate groups of people who are currently facing similar circumstances.  Who are they?  Why are they unable to stay in their country of origin?  Where are they fleeing to?
  • Make a new book cover for Number the Stars.    What important elements or symbols would you include in the cover art?
  • Imagine that you are living during a time of war when every day products are hard to purchase.  We learn that coffee, shoes and tobacco are difficult to purchase in Annemarie’s town during the war. Make a list of every day items that you would miss if you lived in a time of rationing.
  • If you were able to invite a character from Number the Stars to your house for lunch, who would you choose?  Make a list of questions that you’d like to ask the invitee.

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Rechenka’s Eggs

Regional Focus: Ukraine/Russia

Author:  Patricia Polacco

Genre:  Children’s literature

In Patricia Polacco’s heart-felt story, Babushka is known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs. She also has an eye for the wonders of nature, so it is no surprise when she befriends an injured goose she names Rechenka. But, when Rechenka turns over a basket of Babushka’s specially prepared eggs, the reader is surprised by another wonder that saves the day!

What I love:

A tale of friendship between a caring adult and a goose.

  • A reminder to appreciate the simple miracles of life.
  • A carefree approach to difficulties and unexpected circumstances.
  • Flow of foreign words woven into the text.

Themes:  miracles, natural wonders, kindness

Discussion:

  • What words would you use to describe Babushka? Would you like her to be your friend? Why?
  • Have you ever rescued an injured animal? What happened?
  • Babushka witnesses many “natural” wonders as she journeys through her day such as a visit from deer or a flock of flying birds. What natural wonders have you seen today?

Connections:

  • Find the Ukraine on the map. Investigate culture and tradition from this country.
  • Using natural dyes, paint and decorate your own eggshells.
  • How are the buildings in the story Rechenka’s Eggs similar or different from the buildings in your community? Make a picture of a building or a house in your town and compare it with the buildings of the “onion domes” in Moscow.

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