This is a truly heartwarming book about a young girl who gives her most coveted possession to someone who needs it more. Initially I loved the focus, and relatability on being patient when you’re waiting for something.

Heartwarming! What a great book to teach about those who have less than you, and how you don’t have to be a grown up to help!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. For once, I went into it without reading the back cover (something I’m always so set on doing) and this time let myself be unprepared for what I was about to read. Though lighthearted at first, and seemingly like a girl who only wants to get her hands on her sister’s coat as soon as possible, the book and the character developed and transitioned to offer a message about helping others and how material items aren’t what matters most. The illustrations worked hand in hand with the story quite well, and definitely made apparent and clear depictions of what was happening in the story. I’d recommend this book for parents of younger school age children, or preschool aged kids who are learning to read.

Overall, I rate this book:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Coat by Severine Vidal.
This is a beautiful story that teaches children the joy in sharing what you have. Sometimes the things we think we want aren't really what we need to be happy. Simple enough for young children, yet deep enough for every person!

This was a darling book with a message: choose kind. The main character is impatiently waiting for when she inherits her sister's read winter coat, a coat she's admired and longed for. When the time comes, she's thrilled and proudly wears it to school. But as she walks there, she sees a homeless mother and daughter shivering outside. She tries to do what others do, ignore the situation, but she cannot. She ultimately returns to share a sweet treat and her beloved coat with someone who needs it more. The message is clear and full of love.

What a punch to the gut this little gem of a book is. I wasn't expecting to cry, but I did. I still am.

Teach your children well. Teach them to appreciate all that they have and to share when they can. Use this book to show them that appreciating what they have can also include understanding what others don't have.
But make sure they know that giving shouldn't be so extreme as to gravely deprive themselves in the process.

I will add that I wish we'd had a more definitive show of Mia's generosity at the end. If the book is targeted at early elementary schoolers, something a little lighter on text and heavier on illustration of Mia's actions would have made a clearer point.

As well, we know Mia had older items she could have offered, which she could have grabbed when she had the forethought to grab other items for her less-fortunate new friends. Of course the impact a the-Gift-of-the-Magi-styled donation reverberates like no other, but was it necessary?

A thoughtful and compassionate tale about a little girl excited about inheriting her sister‘s winter coat. Vidal’s book, beautifully told & illustrated, also navigates the difficulties of homelessness as the reader sees Elise’s thought process about having something others do not during cold winter months.

Although the story is sweet and the illustrations beautiful and full of emotion and movement, the writing did not captivate me as a reader from the get go. I was unclear what the story was about until halfway through. Again, tender moral. It just lacked finesse.

Wow! That was unexpected! A children’s book that had a message that brought me to tears. What a powerful short story. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to the storytime librarian at my local public library. It’s timely and sincerely heartfelt. Now I’ll check my closet full of coats and give some away soon to a local charity. What a perfect book, I loved, loved, loved it!
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This story was adorable! We loved the beautiful illustrations and sweet message that the book sent. Definitely recommend for all the little ones.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

I loved this short story! It was adorable watching Elise yearn for the coat. I loved the illustrations. The ending is sweet and sends a great message about helping others. This book is a perfect Christmas gift!

The Coat

by Séverine Vidal and Louis Thomas

The Coat is a children’s picture book that tells the story of Elise who waits longingly for the day when her big sister Mia will outgrow her perfect red coat and pass it on to Elise. It also is the story of a homeless child dressed in a few layers of summer clothes sitting with her mother on cardboard on the sidewalk…in the snow. Elise passes her by the first day she wears her new red coat, but after a restless night, she can’t look away again. The second day she is late to school, coatless, and happy.

The Coat is a touching way to teach children about sacrificial giving. The homeless child is not given a name in the story which seems appropriate because there are so many “nameless” children who need help and hope. The pictures are colored line drawings, simple and almost cartoonish with an appeal to the reader to join the story. The snowy scenes and dialogue about “penguin cold” are perfect for this story. It is a book that children will request rereads on, and as they hear it again and again its message will make its way into their hearts.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Children’s Fiction

Notes: Reading age: 3 - 7 years
Grade level: 1 - 2


Publication: October 11, 2022—Flyaway Books

Memorable Lines:

It was bitterly cold. Penguin cold!

But now when Elise thought about the warm, soft, red coat, it hurt a little, kind of like a pinch.

Her thoughts were enough to keep her warm.

Such a heartwarming read! Loved the idea of Elise waiting so patiently for Mia’s hand me down coat. Especially her watching to see if her arms were growing longer. Her empathy for others stole the book. Her generous caring heart is such an inspiration. A great message for children…and adults … to hear in this world we are living in.
The illustrations lent more power to the message. I will be purchasing this book for my own grandchildren. Many thanks to Severine Vidal and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading this very special children’s book with a message that everyone needs to hear.

A gorgeously illustrated picture book all about a little girl called Elise who is desperate to grow big enough so she can inherit her older sisters red coat. She has dreamed of it for so long but when she walks to school in it she sees a homeless mother and child. Her family and froends walk on without looking but Elise cannot forget what she has seen. A young girl her own age and her mother sitting in the bitter cold, the penguin cold. Elise visits them the ndxt day to share some sweets and even though she is late for school it is worth it and she realises that life is more than just about things and possessions. a lovely stort all about kindness and not looking away. Children will love this and there is so much that can come from it about understanding the world and making decisions.

A girl is crying out for the cast-off winter coat from her older sister, until she isn't. There's little point in going further for this – it's not something I'd recommend.

In Severine Vidal and Louis Thomas's picture book "The Coat," Elise can't wait for her chance to wear her older sister Mia's red coat, and she longs for the day for Mia to outgrow the coat so that it can be hers. When she gets it, she thinks nothing can quell her excitement... until she sees a mother and daughter sitting outside in the snow without the proper clothes. The image haunts Elise, until she decides what to do..

"The Coat" can help young readers learn about empathy and giving. As lovely as the story is, Elise's actions might be taken a bit too literally by young readers, so adults should be ready to debrief the ending and provide possiiblities on how to help others. (I'm sure Elise's mom might have some concerns with Elise's actions, even if they were noble and well-intended).. Nevertheless, the book's message is an important and much-needed one.

I will definitely be adding this book to our collection.

This is a beautifully illustrated story that talks about an important yet hard subject of homelessness. Kids look at the worlds problems through different lenses than adults and this touches on how they process these situations.

Wow. Just wow. I absolutely loved this book.

The story, the message and the illustrations.

What a wonderful story to show children the important of being kind to one another.

It made me tear up at the end

Such a beautifully intended book.

I loved the premise and loved the ending even more.

The illustrations capture the story wonderfully and I feel this should be on every parent's to read to kids, regardless of whether they are an only child or not.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wonderful story. I love the beautiful message of care and sharing kindness. Great illustrations too!