The gift of giving is what this book makes me think of. Your kindness is what makes the world brighter. This book was so great because children and adults can get wrapped into the idea of more things, but we can change someone’s day by giving to one another. So loved this story to read to children.

This touching story tells about a young girl named Elise who can't wait to wear her older sister's hand-me down red coat on a cold winter day. But when she encounters a woman and a child who are homeless and not dressed for the weather, she begins to feel sad thinking about the people she saw. She also noticed that people passed by and did not look at the woman and child. She also feels bad about the lack of kindness she witnessed. The story sends an important message about how we view and interact with people experiencing homelessness. I often struggle to explain homelessness and poverty to my students who are from an affluent neighbourhood and often only see poverty in our downtown area or in the media. I think that children's books like this one are important and should definitely be in classroom and school libraries. I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This is a book about kindness, homelessness, and a selfless little girl. This should be added to SEL collections in classrooms.

The Coat is a sweet story about a little girl anticipating getting her older sister’s coat when she is big enough for it. She leans a valuable lesson about giving when she gives her much anticipated gift away to someone who needs it more. The story and illustrations go together beautifully. It’s a heartwarming story that will make the reader feeling warm and cozy too.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

"It was red as a poppy."

This book does an excellent job of showcasing how children take great delight in something as simple as a coat. Elise has been waiting for this coat to fit her, and it is finally time!

On her first day wearing the coat, she notices someone else outside. A mom and child without coats.

Elise cannot get it out of her mind. What will she do?

This is a fantastic book for teaching empathy, gratitude, and generosity.

The simple illustrations are delightful and allow the reader to imagine the world in a brighter way.

Well worth the read!!

'The Coat' by Severine Vidal with illustrations by Louis Thomas is a picture book about a young girl who learns that sharing can mean as much or more as wanting.

Young Elise has been waiting for the day when her sister's red coat will be hers. Finally, the day arrives and Elise finally gets it. The coat is warm and makes her smile, until she sees something that makes her sad, but Elise finds a way to change that situation too, even if it's only to bring a smile.

The lesson here is beautiful as are the illustrations. I liked this story of a child who finds a simple way to help.

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.