Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Illustrated by Simms Taback
Look inside
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.

  • WINNER
    Caldecott Medal Winner
Simms Taback (1932 - 2011) grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cooper Union. He worked as an art director and a graphic designer and has taught at the School of Visual Arts and Syracuse University. He illustrated many children’s books, including I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Spacy Riddles, Snakey Riddles, Buggy Riddles, and Fishy Riddles (all written by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg, Dial). His work has won many awards, including the Caldecott Medal for Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and the Caldecott Honor for I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. View titles by Simms Taback

About

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.

Awards

  • WINNER
    Caldecott Medal Winner

Author

Simms Taback (1932 - 2011) grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cooper Union. He worked as an art director and a graphic designer and has taught at the School of Visual Arts and Syracuse University. He illustrated many children’s books, including I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Spacy Riddles, Snakey Riddles, Buggy Riddles, and Fishy Riddles (all written by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg, Dial). His work has won many awards, including the Caldecott Medal for Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and the Caldecott Honor for I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. View titles by Simms Taback

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more