A New Coat for Anna

An enterprising and determined mother manages to get a new coat made for her young daughter despite their poverty in this story set in post-World War II Europe. Although she has no money, Anna's mother has some valuable possessions, bartering Grandfather's gold watch for the wool, a beautiful lamp for the wool to be spun into yarn, her own and Anna's labor in picking lingonberries to dye the wool red, a garnet necklace to have the red wool woven into cloth, and a porcelain teapot to have the coat made from that cloth. Now in possession of a beautiful new coat, Anna is pleased when her mother invites all those involved to a wonderful Christmas Eve party...

Apparently A New Coat for Anna is a based on a true story, related to author show more Harriet Ziefert by one Ingeborg Schraft Hoffman, who many years later still possessed the coat obtained for her by her mother in the post-war years when she was a child. The narrative here is engrossing, highlighting the idea that where there is a will there is a way, but also showcasing the time, effort and skills that go into making a good, solid winter coat. The different people involved—the farmer who raises and sheers the sheep, the spinner who spins the yarn, the weaver who makes the cloth, and the tailor who designs and sews the coat—are each highlighted, teaching the young reader or listener that there is plenty of activity behind the scenes, before they a coat is purchased in a store. The story here reminded me of Elsa Beskow's classic picture book, Pelle's New Suite, which also involved many exchanges in order to get an article of clothing made, although here there is the added interest of the historical setting, and the pleasure of the final Christmas party. I found the accompanying artwork here, done by Anita Lobel, quite lovely, and appreciated many of the different settings and details. This would make a nice bedtime or story hour read in winter, when children themselves are wearing coats, or at Christmas, given the final scenes. show less

Based on a true story, this is a delightful book. Young readers (and listeners) will learn where a wool coat comes from/how it's made. They can also learn about perseverance, community, love and sacrifice. But children won't notice the lessons being learned. What they will love it that Anna finally gets her coat and Lobel's delightful pictures... and maybe the thought of smiling sheep.

A small book, packing a lot of power. Set in post WWII, it is obvious that people are financially struggling. Anna lives with her father. While it isn't mentioned, the reader wonders if perhaps her father was killed in the war. Anna is growing and needs a coat. With no money to purchase a new one, Anna's mother barters her precious possessions to have wool from sheep to make the coat, to have someone take the wool and spin it, to have someone weave the cloth, and then to find a tailor to make the beautiful red coat.

This is a story of patience, of love and of sacrifice.

The book is for young readers and is particularly interesting because on the surface it appears to just be a simple story about a young girl and her adventure to get a new coat. However, it also appears to be set in a European country after a major war. Clear connections can be made to post-war economies in war torn nations and the struggles they must go through in order to get what they need. The main character Anna also appears to have lost her father in the war. While it's not really talked about in the story, he is clearly not present and they trade his gold watch that was left to her mother. Again, the hardships that families must, at times, endure is a theme presented in this story. This book is deeper than it appears. Also, it show more can definitely be relatable to some students who may have lost parents for any reason and now see their family struggle to make ends meet and get the things they need. show less

This picture book is about a young girl who needs a new coat. Her mother doesn't have the money to purchase one so she has to barter for the materials for the craftsmen to create a new coat. Set during WWll in a European country, people are financially struggling to meet needs in a post war economies in torn nations. The struggles that families go through due to a financial crisis and lost of a family member are one of the theme present in this book. With a setting present in a book, it heightens suspense as the reader wonders what happens next. Overall, very simplistic and easy to read.

The simple but luscious illustrations move the sweet story along. Because this is a children's book only the first illustration shows the destruction and deprivation of war but even this is tempered with a smiling Anna waving to her mom who waves back.

Would definitely recommend.

I thought this was a good book. I read it to my second grader who learned how coats were made back then.