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Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton (Read Aloud)

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Dolly Parton is a country music legend with an upbringing in rural Tennessee which provides the backdrop for this story. This is a true story based upon a winter when Dolly had no coat, so her mother put a box of old rags to use to keep Dolly warm. Dolly Parton wrote an award winning song based off this life event.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Mention of Bible story Joseph and his coat of many colors. Some period and rural details pictured in art such as teacher ringing large school bell, box radio, lanterns, butter churn.

Families that have little money can be rich in love. Family love and support can buoy us. Parental love is a strong anchor. When bullied or ridiculed, kids can still maintain dignity. Families without means can be resourceful. Wearing used or patched clothing isn't shameful.

Though the girl's ridiculed by her classmates for her coat made of rags, she explains that she's proud of it because her mother stitched it with love and remains steadfastly proud of her family.

What's the story?

COAT OF MANY COLORS uses the lyrics of Dolly Parton's song of the same name to tell a story from her childhood. As winter approached, she didn't have a coat, so her mom sewed her one out of rags and told her the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. In the book, a little blond girl who resembles Dolly is proud of her handmade patchwork coat and skips off to school, but kids there make fun of it. She tells them that her mama sewed love in every stitch: "Now I know we had no money but I was rich as I could be in my coat of many colors my mama made for me ... made just for me."

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this book. Mention of Bible story Joseph and his coat of many colors. Some period and rural details pictured in art such as teacher ringing large school bell, box radio, lanterns, butter churn. Families that have little money can be rich in love.