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The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood
Virginia's coat is too small and hardly protects her from the frigid South Dakata winter. As Christmas approaches, all the children on the Sioux reservation look forward to receiving boxes full of clothing sent by congregations in the East. Virginia spots a beautiful gray fur coat but holds back tears as it is claimed by one of her classmates. Later, Virginia can't believe what Mama brings home. Based on an event from the author's childhood, this picture book captures the true spirit of Christmas.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2011
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About the author
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
48 books13 followersVirginia Driving Hawk Sneve was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She was the daughter of an Episcopal priest and a Lakota Sioux mother. Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University. She has taught English in public school of South Dakota, and at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau. Her career also includes editor at the Brevet Press in Sioux Fall, S.D. Sneve is a member of the board of directors, Native American consortium, Corporation for Public Broadcasting ; member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe; member of board of directors of United Sioux Tribes Cultural Arts; and Historiographer of the Episcopal Church of South Dakota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 21, 2021
So yes, and with regard to actual facts, with regard to showing bona fide reality, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve’s The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood is indeed pretty much totally autobiographical. And of course (and in my opinion), this does certainly make her presented text, this does make Driving Hawk Sneve’s featured story both interesting and also truly emotionally engaging, allowing us as readers with The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood to have a glimpse into what what young Virginia’s life as a so-called preacher’s kid is like, as the daughter of a Sioux Episcopalian priest on a rather impoverished reservation, and where the needs and desires of the congregation often do seem to outweigh what the priest’s own children need and require, how being a PK also means having to willingly sacrifice a received coat from a donation box because the other children of the reservation supposedly have greater requirements, and this even though these other children are nasty, entitled and have often bullied the main character, Virginia Driving Horse Steve’s childhood self (and indeed, I also do really love love love how Ellen Beier’s illustrations for The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood combine Native American and European traditions in the Christmas festivities, how Santa Claus appears but how in the Nativity Scene the Three Wise Men are depicted as wearing traditional Native American headdresses and how the blanket covering the infant Jesus Christ is also Native American inspired, showing in my opinion that one can and should be able to combine different and multiple traditions into an harmonious whole).
But as much as I have enjoyed The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood and the happy ending of Virginia finally getting her necessary winter coat and her brother receiving a pair of cowboy boots, I do have to admit that I am also more than a trifle annoyed at and frustrated with the fact that with regard to those Theast Boxes, the congregation always seems to come first, that if there in fact had not been a separate box sent to the priest, to Virginia’s father, she and her brother would more than likely be forced to wear skimpy and ill fitting outdoor clothing all winter while the other reservation children are clad warmly and snugly. And while I am of course happy that in The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve portrays her preacher’s kid life as it is, or rather as it was, personally, the sacrifices asked of her and her family really do make me cringe a bit, and yes, I certainly would appreciate a bit of author based criticism of this state of affairs, that I do rather wish there were more textual condemnation of the fact that with those Theast Boxes, the priest’s family obviously is supposed to always come last and choose last.
But as much as I have enjoyed The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood and the happy ending of Virginia finally getting her necessary winter coat and her brother receiving a pair of cowboy boots, I do have to admit that I am also more than a trifle annoyed at and frustrated with the fact that with regard to those Theast Boxes, the congregation always seems to come first, that if there in fact had not been a separate box sent to the priest, to Virginia’s father, she and her brother would more than likely be forced to wear skimpy and ill fitting outdoor clothing all winter while the other reservation children are clad warmly and snugly. And while I am of course happy that in The Christmas Coat: Memories of my Sioux Childhood, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve portrays her preacher’s kid life as it is, or rather as it was, personally, the sacrifices asked of her and her family really do make me cringe a bit, and yes, I certainly would appreciate a bit of author based criticism of this state of affairs, that I do rather wish there were more textual condemnation of the fact that with those Theast Boxes, the priest’s family obviously is supposed to always come last and choose last.
January 4, 2020
Virginia grows up on the Rosebud Reservation as part of the Sioux nation and as the daughter the village Episcopal priest. Better off folks from "The East" send boxes of clothing twice a year to the families on Rosebud. Virginia desperately needs a new winter coat as she has outgrown her old one, but as the minister's daughter , she has been taught to choose last as others "need it more". Setting is 1950's or 1960's with touches of Sioux culture in the illustrations. A warm and loving Christian Sioux family is portrayed hitting just the right notes. American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Picture Book (2012)
December 6, 2018
Lakota Sioux children's author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, whose work ranges from informational picture-books like
The Nez Perce
and
The Seminoles
, to works of fiction like
High Elk's Treasure
and
The Trickster and the Troll
, turns to her own childhood in this new picture-book, producing a poignant holiday story that emphasizes the truly important aspects of Christmas. As the daughter of the Episcopal minister on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, Virginia frequently goes without, because others in the community have greater need, and her parents expect her to sacrifice. When the winter "Theast" boxes - boxes from New England churches in "the east" - arrive, Virginia hopes that there will be a coat inside for her, as her current one is too small, and doesn't cover her wrists. Instead she finds that she must, once again, let others go first. Will she ever have the coat of her dreams...?
It's not much of a surprise, given the title, when the answer to this question turns out to be a resounding "yes," but watching Virginia get to that happy ending is still a pleasure. As a PK myself (that's Preacher's Kid to you!), I really identified with Virginia, and her sense of disappointment, as she is asked to let the nicer things go to others. Of course, I did not grow up on a reservation, nor did I belong, as a young girl, to a church community that needed donated clothing. But my own family were often the beneficiaries of wealthier relatives and friends, who sent hand-me-down clothing for us children, and I do remember that feeling of being set apart from others, because I was a minister's daughter. The scene in the story, when Virginia's mother and the other women sort through Theast boxes, just brought back such strong memories for me, of my own mother sorting through similar boxes!
In any case, Virginia's need is much greater than mine ever was, and so her disappointment is keener, something the author captures very well in the story. The eventual granting of her wish, through a special gift, is therefore all the more satisfying, particularly as she had behaved so well (much better than I would have done, I think). The idea that our blessings are more welcome, and mean the most to us, when we have been generous ourselves, is implicit in the story, without ever being the object of any moralizing passage, and was something I really appreciated. I also liked many of the little details in the story - the funny moment when Virginia and her father, holding a corset that had been sent in Theast boxes, dance around the room; the crowd's reaction to the Three Wise Men in the children's Christmas pageant appearing in Plains-style headdresses - and thought they made the narrative all the richer. A lovely picture-book memoir, one with a strong narrative voice, a good message, and beautifully expressive artwork, The Christmas Coat is a holiday book I recommend to anyone looking for Christmas tales with a little more substance.
It's not much of a surprise, given the title, when the answer to this question turns out to be a resounding "yes," but watching Virginia get to that happy ending is still a pleasure. As a PK myself (that's Preacher's Kid to you!), I really identified with Virginia, and her sense of disappointment, as she is asked to let the nicer things go to others. Of course, I did not grow up on a reservation, nor did I belong, as a young girl, to a church community that needed donated clothing. But my own family were often the beneficiaries of wealthier relatives and friends, who sent hand-me-down clothing for us children, and I do remember that feeling of being set apart from others, because I was a minister's daughter. The scene in the story, when Virginia's mother and the other women sort through Theast boxes, just brought back such strong memories for me, of my own mother sorting through similar boxes!
In any case, Virginia's need is much greater than mine ever was, and so her disappointment is keener, something the author captures very well in the story. The eventual granting of her wish, through a special gift, is therefore all the more satisfying, particularly as she had behaved so well (much better than I would have done, I think). The idea that our blessings are more welcome, and mean the most to us, when we have been generous ourselves, is implicit in the story, without ever being the object of any moralizing passage, and was something I really appreciated. I also liked many of the little details in the story - the funny moment when Virginia and her father, holding a corset that had been sent in Theast boxes, dance around the room; the crowd's reaction to the Three Wise Men in the children's Christmas pageant appearing in Plains-style headdresses - and thought they made the narrative all the richer. A lovely picture-book memoir, one with a strong narrative voice, a good message, and beautifully expressive artwork, The Christmas Coat is a holiday book I recommend to anyone looking for Christmas tales with a little more substance.
February 18, 2013
Those of you know read American Indians in Children's Literature know that Native critics often object when characters are shown wearing a headdress. We do so with good reason. Too many people think we all (there are over 500 federally recognized tribal nations) wear headdresses. Some of us did, and some of us do, for very specific reasons.
That's the case with THE CHRISTMAS COAT. There's a reason the boys on the cover are wearing headdresses. Do check out the book. It won the picture book award from the American Indian Library Association.
~~~~~
This review was first published at American Indians in Children's Literature: http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
I invite you to visit See What We See for additional reviews of books about people of color:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/9...
That's the case with THE CHRISTMAS COAT. There's a reason the boys on the cover are wearing headdresses. Do check out the book. It won the picture book award from the American Indian Library Association.
~~~~~
This review was first published at American Indians in Children's Literature: http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
I invite you to visit See What We See for additional reviews of books about people of color:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/9...
December 6, 2011
Like Abigail, I grew up wearing hand-me-downs from others, so I can identify with the embarrassment of having to accept handouts from family who were better off. And like Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, I grew too fast and so can also identify with the discomfort of wearing clothes that were clearly too short. This book is movingly written and conveys very well the situation, growing up on the Rosebud Sioux reservation in South Dakota, that Sneve describes. She also describes the anomalous position of being the child of the Episcopalian pastor on the reservation. When the one coat in the missionary (Theast) boxes is snapped up by another girl, Virginia's mother philosophically explains that another girl needed it more than Virginia (had she read _Pollyanna_?). Her disappointment dampens but doesn't spoil the fun of the Christmas pageant, with the three little wise men proudly wearing the traditional Plains headdresses of the elders, and the beautifully decorated quilt covering the Babe (who looks real to me!). There are not many Indian Christmas stories for children in print so I was delighted to see this new book, beautifully illustrated (watercolor and gouache on watercolor paper)by Ellen Beier, who also illustrated Cynthia Rylant's _The Blue Hill Meadows_. Sneve is an accomplished American Indian spokesperson and writer, having been awarded the Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, the Native American Prose Award from theUniversity of Nebraska Press,and the National Humanities Medal. She has also written for children on _The Cheyennes_, _The Cherokees_, and _The Apaches_. The Lexile measure is AD740.
June 22, 2012
Audience: This is a story for those who like to read about real people. It is also for those who have wanted something really bad. It is a story of hope and of doing the right thing. It would make an excellent text to teach personal narrative in writing.
Appeal: This book oozes authenticity. The character is so honest and so descriptive readers feel like they are freezing on the way to school and their hearts break when she must give her beloved coat up. It compels you to read on and cheer at the end. It is also a unique peek into the life of a Native American girl on a reservation from a perspective not often heard.
Award: This book won the 2011 American Indian Youth Literature Award in the picture book category.
Appeal: This book oozes authenticity. The character is so honest and so descriptive readers feel like they are freezing on the way to school and their hearts break when she must give her beloved coat up. It compels you to read on and cheer at the end. It is also a unique peek into the life of a Native American girl on a reservation from a perspective not often heard.
Award: This book won the 2011 American Indian Youth Literature Award in the picture book category.
February 25, 2022
Objectively, this is good. I struggled with a young girl being told to sacrifice for others, as though her own needs didn't matter, though. It is based on a true story, and I hate that it is. It's not like she had to sacrifice a trip to Disneyland or so others could eat. She had to sacrifice being warm. Sure, it works out in the end, but it angered me.
June 15, 2014
The idea behind this book - the need for a new coat, but the need to make sure others who need things more get what they need - is not new, but the story is told and illustrated well. And, it can really contribute to much needed diversity.
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April 5, 2018This book won the American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award for Best Picture Book in 2012.
The story of a girl hoping for a new winter coat for Christmas feels fairly "universal," and one could easily read this book without really internalizing the fact that she lives on a reservation. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't an Author Note at the end offering more information about the historical/geographical context of the author's childhood (it's the Rosebud Sioux reservation in South Dakota, and she was born in 1933). However, by not being super-explicitly About The Native American Experience, the book could be a way to help normalize Native American history and experience for young readers. And attentive/curious children might pick up on the hints and ask questions like what a reservation is, why the children were being sent clothes from "The East," etc.
And while I cringed at the image of children in headdresses on the cover, it actually works in-story.
The story of a girl hoping for a new winter coat for Christmas feels fairly "universal," and one could easily read this book without really internalizing the fact that she lives on a reservation. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't an Author Note at the end offering more information about the historical/geographical context of the author's childhood (it's the Rosebud Sioux reservation in South Dakota, and she was born in 1933). However, by not being super-explicitly About The Native American Experience, the book could be a way to help normalize Native American history and experience for young readers. And attentive/curious children might pick up on the hints and ask questions like what a reservation is, why the children were being sent clothes from "The East," etc.
And while I cringed at the image of children in headdresses on the cover, it actually works in-story.
April 23, 2017
This book was the 2012 winner for the American Indian Youth Literature Award. This is a picture book meant for in upper elementary, however, this can be a great read aloud for younger grades as well. This story is about a Native American girl, Virginia, who lives on a reservation. She wants a new coat for winter since her current one is too small, however, when the Theast boxes arrive for children to get new coats, Virginia has to wait until all the other children pick coats since her father is the priest and her mother says "The others need it more than we do". This book depicts life as a Native American and some of the struggles they may face with poverty. I think this book would be a great book as a read aloud with elementary students. This book would be great to discuss poverty and empathy.
January 20, 2018
Good pacing and art. I kind of hate that there had to be so much thinking of others first when her own needs mattered, even though things worked out in the end. I may have just read it at the wrong time.
August 28, 2021
A lovely true story of a child living on a reservation giving up a badly needed and wanted coat to another girl. She had been taught to do without when others had a greater need. Beautifully told story of sacrifice.
May 1, 2015
Multicultural Picture book #1
The Christmas Coat is a lovely book with beautiful illustrations. I really enjoyed it!
Text to Self: I relate to this book because growing up I always had hand me down clothing. It was always exciting to see what I would get for new clothes. Unlike Virginia, however, I didn’t have to share those clothes with other children. I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to be in need of a new coat and have to watch someone else take it away from you. I also relate to this book because my mom has always been very adamant about sharing with others in need. One time I received a coat that was just a little too big for me, and we were going to keep it so that I could grow into it, but then my cousin needed a new coat and it was just her size so my mom gave it to her. I was sad to see the coat go away because I liked it, but when the time came for me to need a new coat I ended up getting one anyway and it was even prettier than the last one.
Text to Text: This book sort of reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie books. I remember reading about the missionary barrels in those books and I’m sure that the “Theast” boxes are pretty similar. Another similarity I found was that both books contain hardship, the children have to walk to school through the cold and the snow and have to do without a lot of modern things that would make their lives easier, but even though things are hard they still make time to laugh and have a good time together.
Text to world: I think that a lot of people can relate to this book. At times everyone has wanted something that they didn’t get and felt sad about it just like Virginia does, but I think that sometimes people learn that there is something better coming for them. Virginia may not have gotten the nice Coat from the “Theast” boxes, but she ended up getting a coat that was nicer in the end. As the saying goes: “Good things come to those who wait.” Because Virginia shared her coat with Evelyn she ended up with a newer nicer one. I think that it is important for children to hear this story because it teaches them that what they want isn’t always what is best for them and that sharing is not a bad thing.
The Christmas Coat is a lovely book with beautiful illustrations. I really enjoyed it!
Text to Self: I relate to this book because growing up I always had hand me down clothing. It was always exciting to see what I would get for new clothes. Unlike Virginia, however, I didn’t have to share those clothes with other children. I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to be in need of a new coat and have to watch someone else take it away from you. I also relate to this book because my mom has always been very adamant about sharing with others in need. One time I received a coat that was just a little too big for me, and we were going to keep it so that I could grow into it, but then my cousin needed a new coat and it was just her size so my mom gave it to her. I was sad to see the coat go away because I liked it, but when the time came for me to need a new coat I ended up getting one anyway and it was even prettier than the last one.
Text to Text: This book sort of reminds me of the Little House on the Prairie books. I remember reading about the missionary barrels in those books and I’m sure that the “Theast” boxes are pretty similar. Another similarity I found was that both books contain hardship, the children have to walk to school through the cold and the snow and have to do without a lot of modern things that would make their lives easier, but even though things are hard they still make time to laugh and have a good time together.
Text to world: I think that a lot of people can relate to this book. At times everyone has wanted something that they didn’t get and felt sad about it just like Virginia does, but I think that sometimes people learn that there is something better coming for them. Virginia may not have gotten the nice Coat from the “Theast” boxes, but she ended up getting a coat that was nicer in the end. As the saying goes: “Good things come to those who wait.” Because Virginia shared her coat with Evelyn she ended up with a newer nicer one. I think that it is important for children to hear this story because it teaches them that what they want isn’t always what is best for them and that sharing is not a bad thing.
April 20, 2015
This book is well deserving of the American Indian Youth Literature Award! This story is based on the author’s life on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota at Christmas time. The main character, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, has to endure a long walk to elementary school each day in her old and too small winter coat. Each Christmas, packages from the East arrive with clothing donated to the children on their reservation and Virginia hopes to receive a winter coat. Virginia sets her sights on a beautiful grey coat, but her classmate claims it first. Virginia keeps to one of the lessons her father, the Episcopal priest and mother taught her: always think of others before yourself. Virginia’s thoughtful pays off as two special boxes are delivered on Christmas Eve, containing a red coat and cowboy boots for her and her brother.
This story is culturally accurate in representing Native Americans and life on the reservations due to the fact that it is based on the author’s memoirs. The illustrations are vibrant and add details to the story to paint a picture of the life of Native American children on reservations at that time. My favorite was the image of the school room with only a United States map and a portrait of a Native American in a headdress hanging on the walls showing that students were learning with very little resources.
There are many ways to incorporate this story into your classroom. The students can complete and author study based on the memoirs of Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. There are author interviews and book readings on teachingbooks.net. The Christmas Coat can also be incorporated with a clothing drive during the holidays to teacher children the importance of giving to others. A writing prompt for students could be about a time they gave up something they wanted because someone else needed it or a time they received a gift and were truly surprised by that person’s thoughtfulness.
This story is culturally accurate in representing Native Americans and life on the reservations due to the fact that it is based on the author’s memoirs. The illustrations are vibrant and add details to the story to paint a picture of the life of Native American children on reservations at that time. My favorite was the image of the school room with only a United States map and a portrait of a Native American in a headdress hanging on the walls showing that students were learning with very little resources.
There are many ways to incorporate this story into your classroom. The students can complete and author study based on the memoirs of Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. There are author interviews and book readings on teachingbooks.net. The Christmas Coat can also be incorporated with a clothing drive during the holidays to teacher children the importance of giving to others. A writing prompt for students could be about a time they gave up something they wanted because someone else needed it or a time they received a gift and were truly surprised by that person’s thoughtfulness.
April 23, 2015
The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is my other primary multicultural book, this is about a Sioux Native American. This book is told through the eyes of the author as a child. Virginia lives in South Dakota on a reservation. It is near winter and she saying that her coat is too small and she is dreaming of a new one. When Virginia and her classmates are at school she asks about "Theast" boxes, which are clothes sent from the East for these Sioux children. Virginia and her family picks their clothes last because they are the priest's family, meaning they are wealthier. There was a beautiful fur coat Virginia wanted, but because since she had to pick last, someone else got it and she received a different coat. The fur coat was not practical for this little girl so she actually ended up with the coat Virginia got. It was Christmas Eve and there was mass, so Virginia's family headed home and their mom told the kids that the East churches gave presents to the priest's family. Virginia received the most beautiful coat, the exact thing she wanted and she was so happy. My text-to-self connection was that my church donates presents every year to families who need supplies for winter and Christmas. Just like the churches in the East did for Virginia's reservation. Text-to-text connection was to the Little House on the Prairie books because Virginia and her classmates had to walk a very long way to school in the cold temperatures, just like Laura and her sisters did. Also the school house was very small, not a one room schoolhouse like Laura's but similar in size and furnishings. Lastly, my text-to-world connection was how the Sioux tribe in the book was celebrating Christmas, a Christian holiday. This makes me think about how Native Americans would be sent to reservations and not allowed to practice their culture or traditions, including religion, dress, and hair length.
February 4, 2014
Virginia, the daughter of the Episcopal Priest of the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, is in desperate need of a new winter coat. She and all of the other children at the reservation school are waiting anxiously for 'theast' boxes to come with clothing donations from the east. Virginia's mother reminds her that there are others who need the clothes more than she, and she must wait until all of the other children have gone through the donated clothing before having her turn. Will Virginia get her Christmas coat?
This is a beautiful story that captures the life of a young girl on the reservation yet makes it familiar and accessible to those who have not had this experience. The illustrations capture the time period and add to the beauty of the story, though the cover is the least powerful of the images and does not draw the reader in as it could. The story and illustrations prove especially powerful in that they have the ability to act as a mirror for all children who have ever had a need and a window for those who have not. This is in addition to the window into the world of the reservation that it provides. Ultimately, though, it is a story about family, generosity and joy.
This book is listed on Amazon.com as being for readers 5 and up. While this book, being a picture book, would seem geared towards younger children, it could be used effectively as a part of a unit on Native Americans for older children.
This is a beautiful story that captures the life of a young girl on the reservation yet makes it familiar and accessible to those who have not had this experience. The illustrations capture the time period and add to the beauty of the story, though the cover is the least powerful of the images and does not draw the reader in as it could. The story and illustrations prove especially powerful in that they have the ability to act as a mirror for all children who have ever had a need and a window for those who have not. This is in addition to the window into the world of the reservation that it provides. Ultimately, though, it is a story about family, generosity and joy.
This book is listed on Amazon.com as being for readers 5 and up. While this book, being a picture book, would seem geared towards younger children, it could be used effectively as a part of a unit on Native Americans for older children.
June 6, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book. It's a well written book based on the author's life when she was a child. Virginia's winter coat is worn out and she has been looking forward for the Theast boxes that was donated by "The East." Sadly, she's not allowed to pick her present until everyone picked what they need. She has to wait for other people to pick their Theast box because her father is a priest. Virginia was very disappointed that she ended up with a plain coat. The girl who get the fancy coat is the one who Virginia couldn't stand. At the end of the story, two boxes was delivered by the book during Christmas eve. It was a red coat and a boot for the brother and her.
I think this story could be read to students from k-3rd grade. There are some fun activities that teachers and parents could do along with this book. Teachers and parents can box up some clothes, books, and other school supplies for donations during Christmas time. Children will get exposed to how children's life could be different when they live at elsewhere. Very nice story. I would like to read this book to my kindergarteners next year.
I think this story could be read to students from k-3rd grade. There are some fun activities that teachers and parents could do along with this book. Teachers and parents can box up some clothes, books, and other school supplies for donations during Christmas time. Children will get exposed to how children's life could be different when they live at elsewhere. Very nice story. I would like to read this book to my kindergarteners next year.
December 15, 2020
You know what's going to happen in this book, but Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve takes you on the ride with her anyway. Sneve does a great job of conveying emotion and making something special without having to say, "She felt like crying." I also loved all the little details in how her family and community celebrated Christmas. So different from my own family and community growing up, but many of the feelings and motivations were the same. And the illustrations are beautiful. I think this is a great book to read with kids even if you don't celebrate Christmas. It's not "preachy," as some heartfelt Christmas books are, and it's a great example of memoir (more about the action and experience of celebrating Christmas in Sneve's Sioux community in South Dakota than the "meaning of the season/holiday").
May 11, 2012
Virginia was out growing her coat and needed a new one. When the donation box arrives, she sees the most beautiful fur coat and she badly wants it. However, she is the daughter of a Episcopal priest and her family always picks last from the box. A classmate picks the fur coat and Virginia holds back the tears.
This is a biographical and I think it is very relatable. I know as a kid and my parents not having much money, we often had to do without a lot of things and other people getting the stuff we want. The story was actually a little sad, but had a nice ending. This was really a wonderful book.
This is a biographical and I think it is very relatable. I know as a kid and my parents not having much money, we often had to do without a lot of things and other people getting the stuff we want. The story was actually a little sad, but had a nice ending. This was really a wonderful book.
February 3, 2012
A girl describes one Christmas (when she was about 11 years old), on the South Dakota Rosebud Sioux Indian reservation. Her family is waiting for the clothes donation books coming from back East, because Virginia really needs a new coat. Because there is a page of text (instead of a paragraph) on most openings, this is a picture book for those older than preschool, or for those with interest in the subject. The watercolor illustrations are lovely and the narrative is interesting, it is just a little long for a picture book.
October 29, 2014
In The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve recalls one particular Christmas in which she dreamed of getting a new coat for the coming winter. But knowing the others in the congregation of which her father was the Episcopal priest were always first to receive the offerings from congregations in the East, she feared she would not get a new coat.
As it happens many times, good things come to those who wait and are giving in their hearts. This Christmas is not different for Virginia.
As it happens many times, good things come to those who wait and are giving in their hearts. This Christmas is not different for Virginia.
May 21, 2020
What a sweet Christmas story. It was written by a woman who grew up on a Sioux reservation and her special Christmas. I loved the emphasis on putting others first even when you need something as much or more than the other person.
The illustrations were a delight.
This is a Christmas story I’ll be happy to read to my nieces and nephews.
The illustrations were a delight.
This is a Christmas story I’ll be happy to read to my nieces and nephews.
November 18, 2017
Summary: Walking to school in a cold rain and facing a fierce wind, a young Sioux girl dreams of a new red coat that is the perfect fit. She hopes that the boxes of donated clothes that arrive will have one for her. But, she remembers what her mother always says, “The others need it more than we do.” She painfully watches as another girl is given a beautiful coat from the boxes and then she needs to give up her own “new” coat because “others need it more than we do.” On Christmas Eve, the young girl is given a special box that has been sent, a gift for her generosity.
Characteristics That Support This Genre: This book can be placed in the multicultural literature category because it writes about the experience of a young, Native American girl during a traditional holiday.
Mentoring Writing Traits:
Ideas – There is a central theme that captures the reader’s attention.
Organization – The beginning of the story grabs the reader’s attention and the story has transition words that guide the reader through the text.
Voice – The reader can hear and feel the main character’s emotions, creating a connection. The writer is sharing a personal experience.
Classroom Integration: This story could be used when guiding students on writing about emotions and how descriptive words can convey an emotion without the writer stating it specifically.
Other Suggestions: This book is at a 3.7 reading level. This story could also be read around Christmas to provide students with an understanding of how this holiday is can be experienced differently.
Characteristics That Support This Genre: This book can be placed in the multicultural literature category because it writes about the experience of a young, Native American girl during a traditional holiday.
Mentoring Writing Traits:
Ideas – There is a central theme that captures the reader’s attention.
Organization – The beginning of the story grabs the reader’s attention and the story has transition words that guide the reader through the text.
Voice – The reader can hear and feel the main character’s emotions, creating a connection. The writer is sharing a personal experience.
Classroom Integration: This story could be used when guiding students on writing about emotions and how descriptive words can convey an emotion without the writer stating it specifically.
Other Suggestions: This book is at a 3.7 reading level. This story could also be read around Christmas to provide students with an understanding of how this holiday is can be experienced differently.
February 25, 2019
The main character, Virginia, lives on an Indian reservation with her family. It is winter time and her winter coat has gotten too small for her and she is cold while she walks to school. She wants a new winter coat, a nice red one that is warm, and hopes to get one from the Theast boxes, these are boxes that come from the East, New England, and contain donated clothes. However, Virginia knows that she will have to pick from the boxes last because her dad is the priest. Virginia eyes a coat that she wants and she is hoping that no one else picks it out while going through the rummage room. Unfortunately, a girl that Virginia goes to school with and isn't very fond of, Evelyn, gets to the coat before her. So, Virginia has to settle for a brown coat that is too big for her. Until she gets the hems taken up Virginia is stuck wearing her old winter jacket. With the rain and snow Evelyn's big fur jacket is now smelly, because of this Virginia's mom gives the brown coat to Evelyn. Virginia is upset about not having a coat. Then, on Christmas Eve Virginia and her little brother get gifts from the East that they send specifically to the priest and his family. In Virginia's box was a beautiful, warm, red winter coat.
Throughout this book Virginia has to give up things that she wants because others need it more and in the end it pays off with Virginia getting exactly what she wanted. I think that this is a good book to read to teach about sharing and giving and the less fortunate.
Throughout this book Virginia has to give up things that she wants because others need it more and in the end it pays off with Virginia getting exactly what she wanted. I think that this is a good book to read to teach about sharing and giving and the less fortunate.
March 21, 2017
Genre: Autobiography/Biography
Story written by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Lakota)), and illustrated by Ellen Beier.
The book is about a young girl named Virginia who yearns to have a new coat to wear during the winter. Virginia awaits for the box of (hand-me-down) clothing, sent from people in the East (New England), to hopefully find her new winter coat; however, when one of her classmates spotted the gray fur coat that she have been waiting for, Virginia held back tears and jealousy as she hold onto her mother's words that reminded her "to think of others who needed more than I." The story ended with Virginia receiving a box sent from the East, especially for the priest (Virginia's father) and his family, and inside it, she was given a bright, red coat with a hood trimmed with fur.
What I love about this book is that, in addition to portraying Native American beliefs and customs, it also portrays the theme of doing what is right as well as depicting an integration of White American Christmas culture with Native American cultures. I also love that the book offers a rare perspective on a Native American girl living on a reservation and attending school. One other thing that I found interesting about this book was that some of the characters (the boys on the cover) in the book were displayed wearing headdresses. In any of the criticism that I have read about Native American literature, having characters wearing headdresses is often looked down upon, because of the meaning associated with wearing a headdress. However, Sneve's explanation and reasoning to the boys wearing headdresses were made very appropriate in relation to the story of her book.
Story written by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Lakota)), and illustrated by Ellen Beier.
The book is about a young girl named Virginia who yearns to have a new coat to wear during the winter. Virginia awaits for the box of (hand-me-down) clothing, sent from people in the East (New England), to hopefully find her new winter coat; however, when one of her classmates spotted the gray fur coat that she have been waiting for, Virginia held back tears and jealousy as she hold onto her mother's words that reminded her "to think of others who needed more than I." The story ended with Virginia receiving a box sent from the East, especially for the priest (Virginia's father) and his family, and inside it, she was given a bright, red coat with a hood trimmed with fur.
What I love about this book is that, in addition to portraying Native American beliefs and customs, it also portrays the theme of doing what is right as well as depicting an integration of White American Christmas culture with Native American cultures. I also love that the book offers a rare perspective on a Native American girl living on a reservation and attending school. One other thing that I found interesting about this book was that some of the characters (the boys on the cover) in the book were displayed wearing headdresses. In any of the criticism that I have read about Native American literature, having characters wearing headdresses is often looked down upon, because of the meaning associated with wearing a headdress. However, Sneve's explanation and reasoning to the boys wearing headdresses were made very appropriate in relation to the story of her book.
March 18, 2018
Have you ever wanted something and someone else got it instead of you? This situation occurs in Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve's book "The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood." The watercolor and gouache illustrations by Ellen Beier bring the characters to make the reader feel as if the characters are alive. Virginia needs a new coat as hers is too small and leaves her cold as she goes and comes from school. She is looking forward to receiving a new coat when the mission boxes from the "East" come. Her father is the minister and he says that the people of the congregation should get what they need before his family. Virginia watches in dismay as the most beautiful coat in the box is given to another girl. Later, she receives a wonderful surprise. This book realistically displays the Native American community in which Virginia lives. Her church puts on a Christmas pageant and the three wise man where feathers to represent that they are important. This is a great book to read to grade school children around Christmas time. It would be nice to have a discussion with them afterward about putting others needs before their own.
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December 14, 2024No Rating
The Christmas Coat came onto my radar last month, when it was recommended as a great picture book to read to kids over Christmas. And it is a good story. It's all about appreciating what you have and to be kind to those who have less than you. But at the expense of your kids being cold?
That question nagged me in the back of my head the entire time I was reading. The author is the daughter of the priest on the reservation, so her family was likely in a better state than the rest of their community. In fact, the book ends with the family receiving a box with items specifically for them and what they needed. So, the author got her coat in the end. But she didn't want anything fancy, she just wanted something to keep her warm. And her parents expected her to not be upset when the one coat she did get had to be given to someone else. Worse, it was someone at school who was not the nicest, so she had to watch the girl win two times. Even an adult might not be happy about that.
While I fully appreciate the message of charity and gratitude, I just wish it wasn't at the expense of yourself. But that's just me.
The Christmas Coat came onto my radar last month, when it was recommended as a great picture book to read to kids over Christmas. And it is a good story. It's all about appreciating what you have and to be kind to those who have less than you. But at the expense of your kids being cold?
That question nagged me in the back of my head the entire time I was reading. The author is the daughter of the priest on the reservation, so her family was likely in a better state than the rest of their community. In fact, the book ends with the family receiving a box with items specifically for them and what they needed. So, the author got her coat in the end. But she didn't want anything fancy, she just wanted something to keep her warm. And her parents expected her to not be upset when the one coat she did get had to be given to someone else. Worse, it was someone at school who was not the nicest, so she had to watch the girl win two times. Even an adult might not be happy about that.
While I fully appreciate the message of charity and gratitude, I just wish it wasn't at the expense of yourself. But that's just me.
February 24, 2019
Used for assignment 6
Retelling events from her childhood, the authors goes back to tell this story of the Christmas coat. Virginia's coat is too small and although she found the perfect coat in Theast box, she must wait for others to pick first because her parents taught her that other need things more than she does. She has to watch Evelyn pick the jacket she wanted, leaving her with a too big brown jacket. When Evelyn's jacket does not work out, Virginia's mother tells her to give her brown jacket to Evelyn. On Christmas day, Virginia has one package from a special Theast box, just for her, where she find a brand new red coat just like the one she had been imagining.
This book would be very useful in the classroom because it depicts Native Americans in a true and non-stereotypical way. Readers are educated about their lives and see people that look and act just like them. It would be nice to read to introduce Native American lifestyles in the classroom as an effort to reduce the stereotypical ideas around Native Americans.
Retelling events from her childhood, the authors goes back to tell this story of the Christmas coat. Virginia's coat is too small and although she found the perfect coat in Theast box, she must wait for others to pick first because her parents taught her that other need things more than she does. She has to watch Evelyn pick the jacket she wanted, leaving her with a too big brown jacket. When Evelyn's jacket does not work out, Virginia's mother tells her to give her brown jacket to Evelyn. On Christmas day, Virginia has one package from a special Theast box, just for her, where she find a brand new red coat just like the one she had been imagining.
This book would be very useful in the classroom because it depicts Native Americans in a true and non-stereotypical way. Readers are educated about their lives and see people that look and act just like them. It would be nice to read to introduce Native American lifestyles in the classroom as an effort to reduce the stereotypical ideas around Native Americans.
April 4, 2019
A nice story that provides some incidental information about reservation life during the childhood of the author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. But doesn't offer a point for readers to reflect, like a page at the end that summarizes the life makes people confront the prejudices that created circumstances where people were relocated to inhospitable environments and then denied the minimum requirements to live there (like warm clothing) and had to rely on the backhanded charity of east coasters. So...it's a good book, but I can see you could read it and just move on without processing.
Read for Read Harder 2019: A children's or middle grad book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009. This book won the American Indian Youth Literature Award – Picture Book. "These awards are presented every two years and were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians." Recommended by Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/2019/03/14/child...
Read for Read Harder 2019: A children's or middle grad book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009. This book won the American Indian Youth Literature Award – Picture Book. "These awards are presented every two years and were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians." Recommended by Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/2019/03/14/child...
June 15, 2019
This is such a lovely Christmas story that I will definitely put on display this coming year (lest it get lost amongst the dreck). You really feel for Virginia walking through the yucky winter muck on her way to school in a too-small coat, and I think it will be particularly well felt during winter when the weather in Wisconsin is also less than cooperative. Because she's the daughter of the pastor, their family lets all the other kids choose items from Theast packages (used clothes and stuff sent from from The East) so she and her brother are stuck with last pick. She watches a schoolmate choose the beautiful coat she wanted, and oh it stings. But all turns out well and the reader gets a glimpse into their holiday traditions and the joyous, celebratory times spent with family.
Definitely more of a lap read than a read aloud, but we don't really read Christmas books for story time anyways. I remember my parents and I would read from our box of Christmas books, and I would have loved to add in something like this.
Definitely more of a lap read than a read aloud, but we don't really read Christmas books for story time anyways. I remember my parents and I would read from our box of Christmas books, and I would have loved to add in something like this.
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