A New Coat for Anna

by Harriet Ziefert, Anita Lobel (Illustrator)

Illus. in full color. "A fresh and moving story of a mother's dedication to acquire a coat for her daughter in post-World War II hard times. Anna's mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Lobel's pictures do a tremendous job of evoking the period. Insightful and informative, this may make children consider how precious the ordinary can become in times of turmoil."--(starred) "Booklist"

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Christmas, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Family

40 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 1986

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was based on a true story, during the aftermath of WWll in the Netherlands, about a mother's love and sacrifice for her daughter during a time when people had no money to spend.

Such a lovely story. A young girl named Anna has grown out of her coat and her mother finds a way to provide her with a new one by Christmas. She barters.

She takes one of her own treasures to a farmer to buy the wool, another to a spinner who spins it into yarn, and then another of her treasures goes to a weaver, and last of all one to a tailor who makes it into a coat. At Christmas she bakes a cake and invites them all to come for a party on Christmas Eve.

Note: When I read this I remembered how I always wanted a red coat, because I had seen a picture of a young girl wearing one at Christmas time. A few years ago I bought myself one, but I felt too conspicuous in it, so I gave it away to someone who needed one and got myself a tan trench coat. Now I still book conspicuous but more like a spy.

[Kathy Roderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated picture book opens with an illustration of the skeletal buildings of a post-World War II German city. When the text begins, the reader realizes that it is winter and the child in the story, Anna, needs a new coat for the winter. It is based on a true story, and accurately depicts the problems of the people after the war. Illustrations show the bakery and shops with closed signs, and “no potatoes” next to empty baskets. As the story of Anna’s coat unfolds, over the course of a full year, we are taken to a farmer to get wool from sheep, a woman who spins, a place where red berries grow for the dye, a weaver, and a tailor. With every step of the process, Anna’s mother trades various wares for the goods or services needed for Anna’s coat. Finally, at Christmas, Anna’s mother makes a cake and invites the farmer, spinner, weaver, and tailor to come to Anna’s house to celebrate. The final scene is Anna saying thank you to the sheep. This lovely story not only demonstrates for children the many steps needed to make a coat, but also shows how people have to go without material things during hard times, wait longer to get things, and be creative in using resources. The sense of community in giving Anna her coat is heart warming.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful classic about a community that is recovering from the war together. And look at the detail in the illustrations. If your children are too young for this, or if y'all want another on the theme, check out Charlie Needs a Cloak.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Based on a true story, Harriet Ziefert brings to life an enterprising mother who, in post-World War II difficult times, finds a way to trade the few valuable possessions she owns in order to secure the wool and services necessary to give her young daughter Anna a new coat. Anita Lobel's illustrations reflect the time period wonderfully well and allow the young reader to follow along with Anna in the making of the coat. This is a book that I read with my own children through the years and I am always delighted to find it in a bookstore to pass along to another generation.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set just after World War II, Anna needs a new winter coat but the stores are closed! What to do? Anna's mother sacrifices family heirlooms to trade to a farmer for wool, a spinster for yarn, a weaver for cloth and finally, a tailor for a coat. This story explains how clothes were made in earlier times. My co-worker and I took this book to a first grade classroom. She read the book once all the way through, a second time going slowly and explaining the steps for making clothes while I showcased props from the story. Finally, she read the story a third time while the children acted out the roles of Anna, her mother, the sheep and the people involved in making Anna's coat. The story is sweet and heartwarming. The children had fun playacting and hopefully learned something too.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected to like this story, and I did. Anita Lobel's art makes the text come alive. The first image, of a bombed street where people are still living in the buildings, is extremely well done. This is based on a true story, and apparently Ingeborg (Anna's real-life counterpart) still had the coat 25 years later. That should have been part of the story.

A similar story, but with more depth is Pelle's New Suit by Elsa Beskow.

[Becca Holcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a great social studies book. In my second grade placement we were working on the concept of batertering and trading itemns instead of using money to purchase things. Throught the entire story the family baters in order to get Anna a new coat.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about need after war. I really appreciated that it was based on a true story and showed the many steps needed to bring about a new coat for Anna. It illustrates gratitude, patience, trading what you have for what you need, and a mother's determination to provide for her daughter. Beautifully told and illustrated.

[Bethany Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little story about struggle, sacrifice, and hard work. It displays a true humble and grateful attitude. We read it over and over again.

[Sarah Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s it! I’m only reading kids picture books from here on out. Sometimes, like in this case, they say more in 30 pages than whole novels do in 300!

Revisiting this one from my childhood and it’s beautiful how much these images and this story have made a lasting impression on my subconscious.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this story depicts the hardships faced post-WWII. The story follows a rhythm and the kindness and cooperation in hard times offers a good message to young readers. Rhe illustrations complement the story nicely and give the reader a sense of what life was like in those tomes.

[Inhabiting Books]

Based on a true story that takes place just after World War II, in an unnamed European town, A New Coat For Anna is the story of how young Anna's determined, enterprising mother, who doesn't have the money to buy Anna the coat she needs, uses the few fine posessions she has left to barter for the goods and services she needs to make Anna's new coat. She trades with the farmer for his sheeps' wool; she trades with the spinner to spin it to yarn; she trades with the weaver to weave the cloth; she trades with the tailor to sew the coat. The whole process takes a year, and Anna and her mother have to participate in the coat's creation too (carding the wool and dying the yarn using lingonberries.) After the coat is finished, just in time for Christmas of the next year, Anna and her mother invite all the people who helped make Anna's new coat possible to a Christmas celebration.

The wonderful, plentiful illustrations by Anita Lobel are perfect for the story, providing enough detail of each stage of the coat's genesis for modern children to understand and feel the work that went into it.

I love that this book gives children an insight into true hardship and inventiveness under trying conditions, without resorting to preachiness. My daughters and I love this story. It's a favorite reread at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

makes the reader think of after the war how it impacts average every day (civilans) - stores are empty living in rubble. Not enough $ after affects of war. Not a gloom and doom story the images are very strong. Anna has been wearing the same coat for years (The bartering of the new coat is the uplifting part of the story)a one year process.

A story of community ... hopefully, goals and tasks to the goal a new coat. Makes the reader appreciate most of us don't have to make these types of decisons planning for a new coat a year in advance bartering family herilooms. A story of Anna and her mom ... the father is absent (due to the war?) Book has lots of sheep ....

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soothing images and clear, generous text allow us to follow the year-long creation of an overdue winter coat in this true tale of patience, resourcefulness and the quiet optimism of a community emerging from war.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I find that the way it describes Anna and her mother going about getting her coat to be a beautiful example of how life could be, and a way that we could all work together, bartering goods and services to ensure that everyone's needs are being met. There is extensive trading, effort, and appreciation for all people at every stage of this book. It is a beautiful story that I think would be good for everyone child's collection.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob read this book to us. During the reading he said, "why not just go to the store a buy a coat". That opened up a discussion about the war, trading/bargaining, and the steps it takes to make a coat. What a different life we live here in America where everything is so easy to get..krb 6/28/16

Ellie read for November Pizza Hut Reading Challenge..krb 11/6/16 she rates this 3 stars.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 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 Suit , 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.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert, Illustrator Anita Lobel- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates a true Netherland story about Anna who wishes to wear a new coat. During the aftermath of World War ll, Anna finds that the shops do not have food items, cloth is not available in the market. Anna’s mother is aware that she does not have money to buy a new coat for her. Anna’s old coat is now short and old, so, Anna needs a new coat to face the Netherland winter. She (1) barters with sheep owner for raw wool, (2) a wool spinner, weaver lady to spin the raw wool in wool balls, (3) she collects red berries for the dye, (4) a tailor. With every step of the process, Anna’s mother trades various wares for the goods or services needed for Anna’s coat. Finally, at Christmas, Anna’s mother makes a cake and invites the farmer, spinner, weaver, and tailor to come to Anna’s house to celebrate. The final scene is Anna saying thank you to the sheep. This lovely story not only demonstrates for children the many steps needed to make a coat, but also shows how people have to go without material things during hard times of war, wait longer to get things, and be creative in using resources. The sense of community in giving Anna her coat is heartwarming. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

awards: California Young Readers Medal Nominee for Primary (1990)

grade level: first grade

summary: This book tells the story of a mother struggling to find a new coat for her daughter, Anna, during the post World War II time period. When Anna’s mother realizes she cannot find a coat, she decides to sell the few valuables she has left to pay a coatmaker to make a coat for her daughter. Once the coat is finished, Anna invites the people who helped create the coat to celebrate with her.

review: This book holds valuable historical information, not only through the words but through the illustrations as well. It teaches children the lesson of not taking ordinary things for granted, and how they can become difficult to obtain during hard times. Children must be reminded of this, in order to be grateful for what they have and to see the importance of giving to those in need.

classroom uses: I would use this book for Writer’s Workshop inspiration, and have children write about how they think Anna felt in the story. I would also have the children write/draw about a time that they helped someone in need and how that made them feel. Children would share with classmates, and we would make a class poster about ways we can help each other every day.

[Karie Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a heartwarming historical fiction story about a Mother's devotion to the needs of her daughter when times were tough due to the poverty stricken world during World War II. Anna needed a new coat but all the stores were closed due to the effects of the war. Her mother told her when the war ended they would go and buy her a new coat. Their plans were ruined when the stores remained closed with empty shelves even after the war was over. They then go through great lengths to try and get Anna a coat. If you read this story you will not be disappointed!

This story is great for ages 4-8. I would use this with my first graders by using the standard RL.K.1 to ask questions about key details from the text. I could also tie this into our social studies standards to teach the kids about the difference in the way people lived during the war to the way we live now. They could compare and contrast the similarities and differences. I absolutely loved this precious story.
Karie Matthews

[Mrs. Walz'S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our 2nd grade class read the book, "A New Coat for Anna." We really loved this book. One reason why our class loved this book is because it taught us how long is takes for someone to make a coat. There are many steps. First, you need the wool from the sheep. Next, you need a spinner to spin the wool into yard. Then, you need to dye it. Then you need a weaver to make it into cloth. Finally, you bring the cloth to the tailor and the tail0r will make the coat. The second reason we loved this book because it teaches us a life lesson. It showed us how hard it was for people who lived during the war, and how we need to be grateful for everything we have. It was hard for people to even buy food. A New Coat for Anna was a really great book. We gave it 5 stars!

From,
Mrs. Walz's 2nd graders at Gordon Creek

[Kolina Filzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a historical fiction book taking place in the post-WWII era. The story is about a single mother who needs to purchase a new coat for her daughter, Anna. The woman does not have enough money, as people are very poor and there is not much available to her after the war. The story follows the woman as she barters with a sheep farmer, a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Readers are brought into the process of making clothing from start to finish, across the time frame of a year.

This book is a good opportunity for students to see the hardship people endured in a post-war society as well as how people live in poverty. The story is written well for students in a first-grade classroom and would make for a great read-aloud and discussion. This would make for a good addition to a social studies unit as we learn about the different parts of a community and different jobs.

[SaraKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is on my school's pillars of character reading list for 'caring'. It takes place after a war during the time of economic shambles that follows such things. The titular character needs a new coat and her mother has no money to buy one and there doesn't seem to be anyone selling coats either since all the stores are closed. The year-long process of getting her a coat means her mom has to give away all of their valuables to get the ingredients for a coat and to have it made. I didn't care for the illustrations too much and the story was not to my liking either. I guess the book shows that Anna's mom cares for her, but the valuables she gave away seemed a bit too much for what she got back. I didn't feel like it showed a feel of community.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute story about trading things for services and the many steps it takes to make a coat.

You can learn and appreciate your clothing so much more knowing all of the steps it takes to make it: shearing the sheep, carding the wool, spinning the wool into yarn, dying the yarn, drying the yarn, rolling the yarn, weaving the yarn into fabric, and finally sewing the fabric into a coat (making a pattern, cutting the cloth, pinning/sewing/snipping/stitching).

What I learned:

dying yarn using lingonberries to get a pretty red color.
Boil water in a big pot and put the berries into it and then dipping and drying the yarn on a clothesline

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story after a war. Shows humbleness, patience, being thrifty, and gracious. A little girl needs a new coat but they don't have money. The Mom trades different things for each little thing needed to make a new coat. They make a deal for the wool, and the girl waits patiently and even happily as she chooses to visit the sheep and is nice to them. Spinning the wool, dying the wool, weaving, the tailor, it goes through the whole process. Then they invite everyone who had helped to a Christmas dinner. Very cute story. Anna waited a year for a new coat. Would definitely recommend reading with your kids.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son and I read this together as a part of his second grade curriculum. We used a study guide to enhance the reading of the story.

I am not sure if I would have picked this book up if we didn't have a study guide to go with it. While the idea of the story, that the family needed to trade items and work in order to get a new coat after World War II, was good, I think we would have preferred to read different story that told a bit more general detail of the life after WWII. In some respects, the story could have been set at anytime - not specifically after WWII.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tender and moving story about a mother who does everything in her power to provide for her daughter in war-torn Europe during WWII. We read it for Five in a Row. I looked up the woman who's story, according to the author, is told here, and, based on her obituary, I think the story is probably set in Germany. Powerful lesson here about the damage done during war to non-combatants. I liked the story very much and enjoyed the repeated reads...and the pancakes with lingonberry jam!

[Staciel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book that I have had on my shelf for years that I just couldn't get my kids to pick up and read.. which is a bummer.

It is an excellent look at the struggles that Europe faced after the end of WWII, a time that I admit I don't often think about.

This one will be put into my Christmas book tub to be brought out every year on the day after Thanksgiving and maybe, just maybe one of my kids (or maybe a grandkid in the future) will pick it up.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is most touching about this story is that it actually happened - it's the true story of a mother's ingenuity to get her daughter a coat after WWII when the stores were still empty in the aftermath. Illustrations covering most or entire pages are everywhere! They help the story come to life. A good book for early readers on its own, the historical nature of the material is a big bonus and allows a segway with your child into the war if you want.