A New Coat for Anna Book

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.