Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors (Ready to Read)

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1. Even with its limited easy-reader vocabulary, this abbreviated version of Joseph's adventures is lively and reads well aloud or alone. The Potiphar's wife incident, the encounters with the baker and the butler, and certain of Pharaoh's dreams are omitted, as well as many of the details of the family reunion and forgiveness of the brothers at the end, but the essence of the Bible story is retained, as is the message that virtue is rewarded. The unusual illustrations, combining surrealism with folk art, have a textured surface resembling oilcloth and are painted in sweeps of brilliant, glowing colors. The figures are simplified and rhythmic, symbolic rather than realistic, and sometimes intimidating, as when the huge blue faces of the jealous brothers loom over Jacob as he flings a gigantic coat over a small Joseph, or when the outline of a fierce, toothy beast floats above the weeping Jacob as the brothers lie about Joseph's disappearance.?Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. From