The Coat

Review\n"This story is uplifting and will be a strong resource for teachers to talk about the importance of kindness. VERDICT A must for all libraries. It is not only a beautifully told story, but its message is full of heart. Children will love engaging in 'what would I do?' scenarios." – School Library Journal (starred review)\n"Primary red, blue, and yellow play against muted backdrops in the sketchlike illustrations of this heartfelt story that encourages compassion and reflection on what’s truly important." – Foreword Reviews\n"The brilliance of The Coat lies in its believable perspective on how the practice of kindness emerges in the life of a child. . .. Louis Thomas' illustrations add immeasurably to the story, revealing vivid emotions." – Spirituality & Practice\n"This story is uplifting and will be a strong resource for teachers to talk about the importance of kindness. VERDICT A must for all libraries. It is not only a beautifully told story, but its message is full of heart. Children will love engaging in 'what would I do?' scenarios." – School Library Journal (starred review)\nAh, the coat. So warm, so beautiful, so red. It’s all Elise has really wanted, and she’s been waiting forever. When will the coat be hers?
Then, a chance encounter changes everything, revealing that the pleasure that comes from belongings (even the perfect ones!) is no match for the joy of helping others.
At turns lighthearted and poignant, The Coat offers a glimpse at the hardships confronting those who are experiencing homelessness, inspiring us to treat them with compassion and respect. A downloadable discussion guide is available at flyawaybooks.com/resources.\nFrom School Library Journal\nK-Gr 3—Elise adores the beautiful red coat that her older sister, Mia, wears. She dreams about the day it will be hers when Mia outgrows it. Finally she relegates her old coat to her closet and proudly wears her "new" one to school, but on the way encounters a small girl and her mother living on the street in bitterly cold weather. It bothers Elise to see the little girl so cold with nowhere to go to get warm. The next morning Elise gives the little girl some candy and then heads off to school; the story is so well-constructed that only later will readers realize that she has given her coat to the child as well. The actual gift of kindness is not shown, only implied, as if the giving of the gift is not the important point. It is the act of kindness that is. The author has already conveyed to readers that Elise's old coat is still safely stashed at home for her. This story is uplifting and will be a strong resource for teachers to talk about the importance of kindness. The art appears to be watercolor, and the soft palette allows the deep red of the coat to take center stage throughout. VERDICT A must for all libraries. It is not only a beautifully told story, but its message is full of heart. Children will love engaging in "what would I do?" scenarios.—Joan Kindig