Coat of Many Colors

by Dolly Parton, Brooke Boynton Hughes (Illustrator)

Dolly Parton lends the lyrics of her classic song "Coat of Many Colors" to this heartfelt picture book for young readers.

Country music legend Dolly Parton's rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song "Coat of Many Colors," the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton's trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love "in every stitch." Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton's poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music, Poetry, Family, Memoir, Poverty

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Dolly Rebecca Parton is a Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. To date, she remains one of the most successful country artists, with 25 number-one singles (a record for a female performer) and 42 top-10 country albums (more than anyone else).

She is known for her distinctive mountain soprano, sometimes bawdy humor, flamboyant dress sense, and her voluptuous figure.

Reviews

[Majenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lyrics to Dolly Parton's beautiful song, accompanied by lovely, charming pictures. You will probably hear the song in your head as you read. Absolutely wonderful.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book made me cry, I love it so much. It's exactly like the song, with beautiful illustrations to match. You can even play the song as you're reading for the ultimate experience. I'd recommend this to anyone, but especially to kids because it teaches a few valuable lessons.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book, based on a song inspired by Dolly Parton's childhood, about bullying and being proud of the person you are.

I've only heard brief snippets of the song that this book is based on. So it was a little difficult for me to get the meter right as I was trying to read it. Those familiar with the song probably wouldn't have the same problem.

That's really my only complaint, though. The illustrations are adorable, and the message (about valuing what's really important to us, even if others don't agree) is great.

I'd recommend this one to readers looking for books about bullying, being yourself, and close family ties.

Quotable moment:

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Although we had no money,
I was rich as I could be,
in my coat of many colors
my mama made for me."

You really think I'm going to give this book anything less than five stars? Whelp, you better think again!

The premise of this book is very simple, as it is just an illustrated picture book of Dolly Parton's iconic song, Coat of Many Colors. Little Dolly is so proud of the new coat her mama made her, only to find that not everyone sees the beauty of what she's wearing. It's such a beautiful song about love, acceptance, and tolerance.

For the best reading experience, I recommend listening to Dolly Parton's song while reading this book. It honestly felt like a warm hug and made the pictures come to life as I was reading/listening. The dedication at the beginning of this edition and the note from Dolly at the end made me tear up.

I love Dolly Parton so much, and her boundless generosity, immense talent for singing and songwriting, and just the fact that she's an all around amazing human being makes the rating for this book a no brainer. I wish Dolly nothing but the best and hope she knows how much she is loved by so many people.

[Tabatha Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coat Of Many Colors book is a book that is very special to me. I gave this book 5 stars because I love the story and my mother used to read/sing this book to me every night. This book is about a young girl that is very poor, her mother made her a coat of rags that were given to their family. Her friends at school laughed and made fun of her but she didn't care. I know this book so well I literally know every word. I loved my mother reading/singing it to me every night and I now sing and read it to my children, which I think they enjoy. Not only do I love Dolly Parton's music I love this book so much. This book sends children such a beautiful message that just because you are poor doesn't mean you don't have any worth or anything. The love of family is enough.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very light-hearted, feel-good book. It is about a young girl who does not have a lot of money, so her mom makes her a coat out of rags. She gets made fun of for it but she loves it because it was made with her mother's love. The girl in the story is adorable and the pictures are great. I noticed that the pages were framed with designs of the rags that made up the jacket, and I thought that was neat. The girl in the pictures sort of reminds me of me when I was little; she has blond hair and blue eyes. Her family lives on a farm and I've always thought it would be cool to live on a farm. Very cute book!

[Ronan Crutchfield]

Since the words in the book were the same as the verses in the song, we played the song while reading the book. I cooed and made lots of noises to the music. It was so much fun!

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations in this book!

I've been compiling a "Music & Book" bookshelf for sharing with students in January (A pretty blah month unless you have a birthday this month so I try to share funny books and books with fun or zippy music.) I haven't shared this book recently but in the past when I did, the students were very receptive and respectful. I played a Dolly Parton CD a friend loaned me instead of reading it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story that will be an inspiration to whoever you share it with.

[Kristen Kurre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coat of Many Colors is about a girl growing up in Tennessee. Winter is coming and a little girl has no coat. Her mother uses rags to sew the girl a winter coat. The little girl is so excited about her new coat, but the children at school laugh at her. She explains how much love her mother put into making her coat. She explains how she feels rich because her mother put so much love and effort into creating the coat. I would use this book in a kindergarten to first grade class to teach them two separate lessons. First, the book conveys a message that one should always be thankful for what they have and one should not take what they have for granted. Everyone is “rich” in their own way. Having a loving family or people around you that you can go to for anything is truly a gift. Second, the book expresses the idea that everyone is special and that no one should “make fun” or belittle anyone else.

I would present this book as a read aloud to teach students to be thankful about what they have and that everyone has something special that makes them “rich.” Then, I would ask the class why the girl in the story felt rich? I would then give each student a small scrap of cloth and have them draw and decorate the rag. I would then sew them together after each student has finished decorating their piece of cloth and show them how something as dull as a small piece of cloth can be so beautiful. I will explain how each of them was important in making the beautiful creation and I would hang our creation in the classroom. I would call this our “class quilt of many colors.”

I would then relate this “quilt” to being special by having the students look at each individual piece of the “quilt” they created. We would name what makes each piece special. Then, I would explain how each student in the class is special and if one of them was not part of the class then our class would not be as special. Furthermore, you could introduce how all cultures are special and add a multicultural piece to this lesson. Also, I would have the students list one way in which they think they are special and share it with the class, celebrating these unique qualities during share time. As a further activity, each student could describe one attribute of a classmate that makes him or her special as well.

This story can be a great way to show students how important it is to be thankful for the “riches” that they each have in their own lives, such as family, friends, a home, a cozy bed, etc., and remind students how each person is a special and wonderful “piece” of a “world of many colors.”

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great, I started crying reading it to my daughters. What a powerful & empowering story. We listened to the song and turned through the pages a second time through and it matches exactly- I figured there’d be extra choruses or something but there weren’t. I love the illustrations and the message- she loved her coat because her mom sewed love with every stitch, and you have the power to feel as rich as you want. Beautiful. I admire Dolly Parton for so many reasons, and now this is one reason more.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shared this book with my four year old granddaughter. It led to many conversations about Dolly herself, what it's like to be poor, why people are poor, things we valve and how to treat others. We listened to the song Coat of Many Colors as well as a few more of Dolly's favorites. When my granddaughter got home, she called to ask me the name of the book about the rags and the coat. She has an Echo in her room and my guess is she wanted to hear the song. Wonderful story to share with little ones.

[CynthiaA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolly Parton puts her beautiful song into a picture book and then uses the money from sales to support her Imagination Library.

Children who read this book (or have it read to them) learn about what it means to be "rich" and "poor", and hopefully a little bit about Dolly too. Adults who buy this book can know that somewhere, another child is getting a book gifted to them.

If you don't know about Dolly's Imagination Library, check it out! www.imaginationlibrary.com

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dolly Parton wrote this book about a memory from her childhood. She says on the back that, "I believe all children are special, and I hope my story will help children everywhere believe they're special too." This book is very pleasing visually and it would be a good book to read to students about bullying.

[Jocelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful adaptation of Dolly Parton's song "Coat of Many Colors". The illustrations were sweet and the story is still powerful. A great story for new young fans to become acquainted with Dolly Parton.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved this song, and the illustrations are absolutely perfect.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good message. I read the one illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes. The illustrations were delightful.

[Cecilia Ayard · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton depicts both poverty and rurality. Dolly Parton starts off by setting her location in Tennessee, which has many rural areas. She refers to pieces of cloth that were gifted to her and her family as rags. Rags are usually associated with pieces of cloth that no one wants anymore and have no use, which emphasizes the state of poverty she was living in. Her mother makes her a coat out of these rags because she did not have one and fall was getting close. She continues to say that although they had no money, she was happy with her "coat of many colors" made out of all the different colored rags. She also emphasizes poverty by stating that she had holes in her pants and shoes. When she got to school, she was made fun of because of her coat, but she goes on to say, "that one is only poor only if they choose to be." She made the best out of her situation, and I think this book shares a valuable lesson. Although Dolly Parton lived in poverty, she showed how she was still happy and had everything she needed.

[Kim Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is the time of year when I go through and reread some of my cherished children’s books and try to decide if I’m going to keep them in the shelf or send them on. And, admittedly, if I’m behind in my reading challenge for the year it’s a quick and easy way to get caught up. 😆
Anyway, when I pulled this book off the shelf I honestly thought this was one I could send on. It’s not one my mom read to me, nor was it gifted from my grandparents. It’s actually a book I bought for my classroom and brought home with me when I retired. No special attachment. Right?
Well. Easier said than done. I guess it would be easier if
I wasn’t a Dolly Parton fan. I have always loved the song ‘Coat of Many Colors’. The words are so meaningful and sweet. I listened to Dolly sing the words as I turned the pages. Some of the verses in the book are not in the same order as her song, but it does not take away from the story being told. The illustrations are beautiful.
I’m probably going to have to hang on to this one. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit I’m not really familiar with Dolly Parton’s music, but I thought this book was delightful. The edition we read isn’t listed on Goodreads yet, as it was our most recent Imagination Library gift, and the illustrator is different. Being a mom who sews and thinks that turning discarded clothes into something new is fun, I thought the patchwork coat in the illustrations was amazing. We also had a good discussion about the other kids teasing her for her coat, but her hopeful attitude at the end of the lyrics really shone.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little children’s book the immensely talented Dolly Parton. Who, by all accounts, is one of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. She gives millions to charity and gives away books to underprivileged children. This gorgeous is basically the lyrics to her famous song of the same title. The illustrations bring the word to life with absolute perfection. I loved this I’m sure you will too if you pick it up.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved the song “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton and she has blessed us by sharing it in a book with beautiful illustrations. The story tells of a young child needing a coat for school. Her mama makes her a coat out of colorful rags. Her mama shares the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. When the children teases her, she tells them she has all she needs, because she is happy and loved! It’s a beautiful book!

[Degan Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Dolly Parton and this beautiful book of being proud of your roots. The text is the lyrics to her song (of the same name) but even so I wish it didn’t call out the bible and i did actually cringe st how the line, “one is only poor if they choose to be” could be misused by bullies.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story of Dolly Parton and her colorful coat. No matter how many times the kids at school picked on her, she loved her coat because it was made with love.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dolly and could hear her singing as I read but I wished it'd been longer. Felt like such a beautiful story got cut way down.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on Goodnight with Dolly 4/10/20

[Bre Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer. Dolly shot this one out of the park. 10/10 would recommend. Get this one for your kids

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up because of Dolly's note at the end and the hope that it will help children either stop bullying or comfort victims.

Dolly has made a picture book of her song.

[Aibhla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Been a Dolly Parton stan since my mum conceived in the womb. Felt depressed as usual today so I read this while my mum and dad shouted at each other upstairs <3 the illustrations are adorable and now I’m happy but I have to give it back to my sister tomorrow or she’ll pull my hair out

[Andrew Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story that I loved reading with my niece!