The Red Jacket

by Bob Holt

Perfect for fans of Jory John and Pete Oswald's The Bad Seed and Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back ! Bob loves his red jacket. The red jacket makes him feel swanky cool. The red jacket makes other seagulls notice him and even speak to him. But when a wave washes it away, will Bob lose his cool and his newfound friends, too?  Bob Holt’s spare text and humorous artwork come together perfectly in this charmingly humorous tale about a seagull who learns a lesson or two about style, "fitting in," and confidence.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Humor, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2023

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the database. Not all books on this profile necessarily belong to the same author.

Bob Holt, a North Carolina native, spent a tour in the Air Force before beginning his fifty years career selling restaurant equipment. During the last 25 years, he also held an active real estate “brokers” license. Traveling northeastern North Carolina as a “traveling salesman” for over 30 years, he met many interesting people and each had an interesting story to tell. He used these stories as inspirations to future works. His hobbies are many and diverse encompassing woodworking, decoys, watercolors, pencil sketching, photography, ham radio, genealogy, and writing. He currently lives in Winterville, NC with this third wife, Diana.

Reviews

[شهرزاد · Rating 5 out of 5]

اگه یک کتاب کودک می‌خوای
✅برای ۴ تا ۸ سال
✅در مورد اعتماد به نفس و دوستی و خروج از دایره امن
✅درباره این که تو خودت کافی هستی و برای دوست داشته شدن به چیزی احتیاج نداری
✅تصویر سازی فوق العاده
✅و داستان روان و گوگولی
این کتاب جوابه...کت قرمز از باب هالت ترجمه شیما هاشمی و نشر مهرسا

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob is a seagull. And he is a very lonely seagull. He THINKS that no one wants to be his friend -- we watch him wander the beach, looking at a lot of other sea animals having fun. He feels left out and all alone. Then, he passes a bird wearing a red coat. The bird notices that Bob is sad - and offers to give Bob the red coat. Bob is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. The bird simply says they no longer need the red coat - and off Bob goes - happy and much more confident! He begins to interact with the other animals and soon realizes that maybe he does have friends after all.
This is a fun book with a good, confidence-boosting message and also a reminder to pay forward kindness.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice conversations about stepping out of your comfort zone and paying it forward while still having more to the story

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great message that sometimes we just need a nudge to get out of our comfort zone and make friends. The loud red jacket encourages Bob to go out and greet people and no longer feel lonely, but really it was just him taking initiative that made the difference.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple yet cute and meaningful story about a seagull who thinks no one wants to be his friend. Then another bird gifts him a red jacket (with French fries in the pocket!) and everything changes. It’s fun and teaches a good lesson about changing your mindset, stepping out of your comfort zone, and paying good deeds forward.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about gaining confidence from wearing a jacket only to find out the jacket had nothing to do with it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I love this story, it is really heartwarming and I love that no one wearing the jacket ate the fries on the pockets.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nominated for the 2025 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, the kids were fascinated by the fries. I let them design their own jackets with infinite pockets and their ideas are making this my favorite book this year so far.

[Serhiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holt reminds us about our worth and confidence.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and funny story about self-confidence and empowerment. And paying it forward.

[Katrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite 2024 SON book.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars of this show would seem to be seagulls, one in particular. But, upon a second glance, it must be the jacket, right?

That's a reasonable response, until you read the book. Then you'll realize that the "star" of this story is a very real but abstract one we can all have, give away, and still have even more for ourselves. Obviously, I'm not talking French fries!

You've probably heard that description about love, and that's certainly true. Our hearts grow in capacity for love the more of it we give away. Yet this "star" doesn't require you to be as invested as loving others. We can change the lives of strangers, even casual acquaintances. If you doubt that, read this entertaining, delightfully ageless picture book. Creator Holt clarifies that in his dedication, but saves it for the end of the book so as not to be a spoiler.

How does someone create such a picture book that can soak to any age? Plenty have accomplished this, but THE RED JACKET uses a terrific blend of image and text and universal experiences. The illustration talent is evident from the cover, and does not disappoint throughout. Despite its vibrant, comic-style approach, every detail counts, including the most minimal gestures, body language, and facial expressions (on seagulls, crabs, turtles, and more). This visual narrative success allows Holt to combine wordless spreads with others that include speech-bubble minimal text, while relying on common-knowledge awareness of the risks of living beachside. There, massive waves can sneak up on you and change your life. The very youngest will "get" every page, and audiences of every age will read themselves into this situation, the relationships among the characters, and the inner life of central character, Seagull BOB.

In the opening spread Bob stands a few steps away from a squabble (one of several collective nouns for seagulls) on a seashore, where his face and posture reveal his belief that he is neither known nor welcomed as he'd like to be. Right there, it is easy to feel empathy, isn't iit? Perhaps it triggers similar emotional reactions within our adult selves. (Think: first time attendee at a conference of "your people", or at a new school, or even at a social event to which you were invited. Or am I alone in this?) Kids feel all of the above, even a first day at a preschool. Tears are not all about separation anxiety, but include feelings about not belonging there. Within a day or two of breaking that wall to feel welcome, the worried kiddo races into class enthusiastically.

That's the way this humorous and appealing story catches each of us where we are. A random act of kindness from a bird wearing a red coat helps Bob feel "seen", giving him the confidence to speak out, resulting in many surprise discoveries about his community, and about himself!

This story carries readers (again, of any age) on an emotional journey allowing self-reflection, developing empathy, and encouragement to notice "others" whose facial and body expressions suggest they might need to hear they are welcome. This doesn't burden each of us with being the endless "door-front greeter", but rather builds communities in which everyone sees themselves as empowered and having a voice.

The RED JACKET was the adaptive device that gave Bob his own voice. If all of this sounds heavy handed or didactic, that's unfortunate, because it is neither. It's a lively romp, layered with authentic emotions and humor, while inviting readers along for the ride. The SEL (social and emotional learning) potential of THE RED JACKET is boundless, but so is the re-again-potential. I hope you'll give this one a try and share it widely.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visual appeal may make this thin idea for a story... appear appropriate for four-year-old readers. But is it, really?

To this Goodreader who likes to review picture books for children, the answer is no.

HOWEVER...

Could be a crowd pleaser, this story about Bob. Thanks to:

* The simple yet engaging visuals
* The relatively few words
* And the cartoon-style writing, complete with comic book-style speech bubbles

But does it really make sense that Bob would become instantly popular, drawing a crowd of 100+ ducks? Simply because they're all naked, down to their feathers... while he's wearing the bright red jacket? WHY exactly!

Eventually Bob decides that he no longer needs that jacket. Yet still he's wildly popular, and WHY exactly!

There's precious little reason for anything, really, that happens in this good-looking fable.

RATING THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE, NOT WITH THIS FANTASY TALE

Sadly, I'd call it both empty and pretentious. But then I'm not the intended reader.

Who might be that intended reader?

* Somebody who likes the color red.
* A lover of simple yet engaging visuals
* A reader who prefers relatively few words, and fewer thoughts
* And somebody who prefers cartoon-style writing... that never includes a single thoughtful sentence.

On behalf of such a reader, sure. FIVE STARS

[Katie Hutchison Irion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Red Jacket by Bob Holt is a delightful story about gaining confidence and figuring out friendships. Bob is a seagull who feels really lonely. Even though there are dozens of seagulls at the beach, he feels like he is the only one without friends. As he walks away from the group, he encounters a bird who is wearing a large puffy, red coat. He sees Bob admiring it and gladly gives it to him. Bob is stunned and even more stunned when, after putting it on, everyone notices him! He talks to animals and fish and makes connections with other animals! When a big wave comes, Bob loses his red jacket but never fear, he is worried all his friends will desert him without the jacket and just the opposite happens. Bob discovers that when has confidence and reaches out to others, whether with or without his jacket, others respond and want to be friends! People just need to see a smile and feel warmth and they want to be friendly! It is a book with a fun, friendly tone and could be a great starter for talking about friendship and reaching out!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming picture book! Bob, a seagull, is feeling alone and left out. As he walks sadly away from the other creatures on the beach, a bird offers Bob his red jacket… with french fries in the pockets! Bob feels cool and confident in his new jacket and finds all the other animals friendly when he tries to make connections. Savvy readers will realize that Bob was never being left out in the first place, he just hadn't tried to connect with the other creatures. Bob comes to his own realization when he loses his red jacket, but doesn't lose his friends. Simple, beachy illustrations complement the speech and thought bubble text throughout. This will make a great read aloud and open the door to important classroom (or family) conversations about friendship and confidence.
Recommended for readers in grades K-3.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Jacket introduces us to a seagull who seems a little dejected and lonely. He's looking pretty sad, amid the large flock. Things change for Bob when he gets a swanky red jacket, complete with fries in the pockets (YES!). Bob's life changes and we start to learn and think about how our clothing influences the way we behave or the way others see us. Complete with a whole bunch of fun speech bubbles for easy reading and bright and distinct illustrations, this book appeals to children and teaches great lessons about friendship. What do we need more, a red jacket, or great friends? It's a darling story that comes full circle in such a satisfying way.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

Themes of friendship, sharing, kindness, inclusion, confidence.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book—this book has such a big heart! Aww, I love it. A little seagull named Bob is feeling quite lonely and he doesn’t think he has many friends. Then, he meets someone who is giving away a red jacket! The stranger says Bob should take the jacket. He doesn’t need it anymore. Bob feels powerful and more confident than ever. But what happens if he loses the jacket?

The pictures in this one are just so sweet. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from it, but I feel like it would be a great read aloud because of all the voices you could do with the various sea creatures.

I’ll be saving this one for the young relatives. :)

#1stOnetoCheckout #MonarchNominees2026

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 59

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feeling left out and alone, Bob the seagull is giving a red jacket by another bird, which lifts his spirits and helps him forge social connections.

The illustrations were created digitally.

Bob the seagull has no close friends either in his flock or among the other animals that live on the beach. This makes me feel sad and lonely. When a passing bird wearing a red jacket notices his emotional distress, he gives Bob his red jacket. This inspires confidence in Bob, causing him to be more outgoing, which, in turn, helps him make friends.

This story addresses social isolation, self-confidence, and the difficulty in making friends and creating social ties.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story. Sometimes a thing comes to us and is useful and then it needs to flow on down the river of stuff to someone else who it's useful to.

The artwork is computer graphics and not much to speak about. The thing is the red jacket and the rest is just story.

Seagull is feeling invisible and a pigeon gives him a red jacket, just because. It's the confidence boost he needs. He finds someone else to gift it too as well. It's not the thing that gives power, but it activates something inside us, a power we had.

Nice story.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lone gull is spotted moving away from the flock of gulls. He appears sad. As he's walking he is passed by a sparrow that offers him a red coat with fries in the pocket. All of a sudden this lonely gull is the happiest bird on the beach. He's kind and helpful and finds he has many friends. But when he loses the red coat he feels as if he's lost a security blanket. Eventually the coat is located by the gull finds that he doesn't really need it and passes the coat onto another lonely creature.

Kinda confusing if you look too deep.

[Paula Eriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this Childrens picture book! The message of the importance of friendship and inclusiveness comes out loud and clear, using few words. The illustrations are beautiful, it's funny and the book itself is one for your lifelong collection. Well done Bob Holt.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob is a sad seagull. He spends his time wandering the beach feeling alone. He feels so bad that we see tears fall from his eyes. But then one day a bird happily singing and wearing a beautiful red jacket notices Bob is sad. He offers him his red jacket and it changes everything for Bob.

This beautiful book on empathy and compassion is a wonderful insight into how our actions can make this world a little better for others.

The illustrations are gorgeous!

Highly recommend!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob loves his red jacket because it makes him feel so swanky cool. It makes his fellow seagulls notice him. But when a wave washes the jacket away, Bob wonders if they will still be freinds. Bob's friends find the jacket, but then he gives it away to someone who needs it more. A delightful story about discovering self-confidence and friends—and then paying it forward.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Bob the Seagull is gifted a red jacket by a random stranger, he feels swank and stylish, and more confident than he has in a long time. While wearing his new Red Jacket Bob seems to make plenty of new friends, but when the jacket is lost in a sudden wave crashing to the shore, Bob learns a valuable lesson about true friendship.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob feels unnoticed until another bird gives him a spiffy red jacket (with fries in the pockets!), and suddenly he stands out in the crowd. But, is it really the jacket, or Bob's attitude when he's wearing it that everyone is noticing?

A cute, funny tale with adorable illustrations by the author . . . who is inexplicably also named Bob.

[Anna Dorendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book! Its a story about a seagull who lacks confidence, but somehow finds it with a red jacket. This story is funny and allows the reader to understand how sometimes it can be a scary place but all you sometimes need is a little help. If you are studying character traits at your school, this is a great book about confidence. K-5th grade.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bob the seagull feels invisible, like no one knows him or likes him. When a pigeon sees how depressed Bob looks, the pigeon gives him a red jacket. This super swanky cool red jacket makes Bob feel like a million bucks and act friendly to everyone. Eventually Bob loses his jacket. Will he retain the confidence it gave him?

This is a nice story to discuss friendship and self-confidence.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have a red jacket! Wow! This jacket looks great! So swanky stylish. It's like wearing a big hug."

This book is the sweetest read. We gushed over this book after reading it. We all need to take lessons from these guys.

A patron at my library requested it, and everyone fell in love with it. We loved it so much that we decided to purchase a copy for our collection.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There are fries in the pocket."

"I didn't know Bob could talk."

"You had a red jacket?"

😂😂😂

Bob, the seagull is given a red jacket from another bird, and he loves it. He finds himself suddenly charismatic in making lots of friends. So many chuckle-worthy moments. There was a true gem of a lesson tucked in this book, and I love to pass it on concept.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the red jacket. I think you do too. Doesn't everyone need the red jacket? Yes, that is my conclusion. Everyone needs the red jacket...for a time...until they need to let it go and give someone else the red jacket. There are fries in the pockets...fyi.