4Real Forums: The Woodcutter's Coat

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Picture Book Discoveries
4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries

Topic: The Woodcutter's Coat

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

MB in MD
Forum Newbie

Joined: Aug 21 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16

Posted: Oct 18 2010 at 9:59pm \| IP Logged

Don't you just love when you pick a random book off your library's shelves and it turns out to be a surprising treasure? That's what I thought recently upon randomly discovering "The Woodcutter's Coat" by Ferida Wolff.

Synopsis: A thief takes the woodcutter's fine (but in need of repair) coat, but the coat gets passed from one person to another (and fixed/improved bit by bit in the process) until finally the tailor trades it back to its original owner in exchange for firewood.

I guess I was struck by this book's storyline because it reminded me of how our loving God can use something bad (getting robbed) and turn it around to something even better than we had planned (getting the coat back in improved condition).

For Five in a Row fans, if you wanted to "row" this book, there are a couple of take-off points that sprung to my mind:

1. Geography. It's only stated that the woodcutter lives at the edge of the North Woods, but his dress suggested Russia to me. At any rate, it's cold. A warm coat would be important!

2. Trades/careers. You get a glimpse of all sorts of work that people do as the coat gets passed around the town and can talk about their roles and interdependence: woodcutter, barber, baker, postman, doctor, tailor. Of course there's also the thief. And a beggar. The thief does not come to justice in the story, though.

3. Bartaring. Besides being stolen, the coat actually only gets sold once; most of the time it is traded. Although once it is cast off.

4. Procrastination. The woodcutter procrastinates about sewing on the buttons that have burst off.

5. And of course, the whole idea about how sometimes we think something very bad has happened (coat is stolen) but God works things out for the best. How often has that happened in your life??!

Oh well, just some thoughts. I hope you enjoy the book if you find it.

Chari
Forum Moderator

Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5228

Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 4:16pm \| IP Logged

The same thing happened to me......just some random book and we LOVED it! I should go order it for another read! Thanks!

__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11

SeaStar
Forum Moderator

Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068

Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 8:42pm \| IP Logged

Another one to look for at the library

__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)

SQUILT Music Appreciation

Chari
Forum Moderator

Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5228

Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 9:30pm \| IP Logged

oh, man! Our library did not have it....and with no more ILL.....it is out of my reach for now!

I know, maybe I could get Gloria to bring it from her San Fran library!!!

__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11

MaryM
Board Moderator

Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104

Posted: Oct 22 2010 at 9:49pm \| IP Logged

Just requested it!

__________________
Mary M. in Denver

Our Domestic Church

Gloria
Forum Newbie

Joined: July 29 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1

Posted: Oct 25 2010 at 9:50am \| IP Logged

I remember finding this book the same way. we loved it too. Chari, I will bring it too you from San Francisco.

MaryM
Board Moderator

Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104

Posted: Oct 25 2010 at 2:42pm \| IP Logged

Just got it - it is a very cute story. Thanks!

__________________
Mary M. in Denver

Our Domestic Church

Chari
Forum Moderator

Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5228

Posted: Oct 30 2010 at 11:49am \| IP Logged

Oh! Gloria wrote her first post!!!

Thanks, Gloria! We can all enjoy another read up here in the cold north sitting by a warm fire.

__________________
Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com