Classic Season of Thanks Must-Read: The Rag Coat
The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills received the Charlotte Award, 13 state awards, and the Smithsonian’s “Season’s Choice” award. This month, Mills celebrates the launch of her heartwarming debut novel Minna’s Patchwork Coat based on her original classic story, The Rag Coat.
As though it were yesterday I recall a day years ago when my then third and fifth grade kid-ohs piled into my car after an eventful school day.
“It was great Mom. She just took him out!” blurted my usually mild mannered oldest, Grant. Looking in the rearview mirror at a very smug, smirking younger sister Brooke, my curiosity was in high gear.
Like any couple that have been together their whole lives, my children took turns completing each other’s sentences, filling in the details of their unusual lunch period.
Brooke’s Source of Joy & Jeers: My Hand-Me-Down Granny Square Coat made by my Mom
After being harassed “FAR too many times,” by a “gigantic” bully regarding her homemade Granny-square coat, my cherubic-looking, pint-sized by comparison daughter delivered a chamber kick to the older male brute child who had long terrorized her, her brother and their friends.
According to witness accounts, Brooke’s well-placed HIGH kick landed the bully flat on his back, bringing cheers from student onlookers. Adult lunch monitors turned away, and though school policy is to “…use words” vs. deliver blows, Brooke’s action did not land her in the principal’s office.
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The details as to why the bully was allowed to terrorize his peers for so long were frustrating to me as a parent. I acknowledge physical force is not the preferred means of settling conflict. Yet, when faced with continual teasing about something cherished, (her granny-made coat) or physical torment (of a beloved sibling or friends) the oppressed eventually attempt to right the situation.
The Rag Coat: Tale of Love, Giving, Resilience
“People Just Need People,” message emphasizes giving, resilience, love and community.
In the case of the heartwarming story of The Rag Coat, (TRG) by Lauren Mills, the story’s main character, 8 year-old Mina, is able to quell schoolyard taunts by showing her tormenters a piece of their own histories and their mothers’ handiwork. This brings about acceptance, enthusiasm and understanding.
Homeschool parents and educators have built entire curriculums around the TRC. It is a tremendous example of love, giving, resilience, communication and community spirit. It is also beautifully illustrated.
Selecting a piece of fabric from her father’s coat.
The historical fiction tale is set in the early 1900’s. Young Mina and her family live in the Appalachian Mountains, where her passing father was a coal miner and her mother worked to make ends meet by sewing. Her mom is also part of quilting group.
Mina’s father impresses on his young daughter that “People just need people,” a lesson vividly portrayed to Mina when the quilting ladies give unselfishly of their time and their fabrics, to make her a desperately needed coat. Without the coat, Mina would not have been able to brave winter’s cold to go to school.
Mina gathers herself in the woods. Recalls father’s warmth.
Mina sees the coat as a beautiful loving gift, understands its opportunity and adores the stories behind each scrap. When her classmates tease her about the coat, Mina flees into the woods to escape their cruelty.
Teaching school friends about coat’s many stories … their stories.
While in the woods, Mina remembers her father’s warmth through the coat’s lining. She is then able to return to teach her classmates the coat’s value. She recalls their mothers’ stories about each of the scraps she chose. In this way, the other students feel connected to Mina’s coat and see it as a treasure.
The Rag Coat is an especially perfect read aloud for young children (5+) during this holiday season.
“I’ve always been inspired by the crafts of the Appalachian region, having learned quilting, weaving and doll making from my mother, grandmother and aunt,” – Author/Illustrator Lauren Mills, The Rag Coat and Mina’s Patchwork Coat.
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Christmas Past: Brooke thrilled with another of her Granny’s works, American Girl Kirsten’s Skating Sweater
“I’ve always been inspired by the crafts of the Appalachian region, having learned quilting, weaving and doll making from my mother, grandmother and aunt,” – Author/Illustrator Lauren Mills, The Rag Coat and Mina’s Patchwork Coat.
Join Lauren Mills this Saturday to celebrate her book launch; special reading and refreshments served. Details here.
God created, sew should we. [Creative Joy = Therapy = Undeniable Rippling Effects.] Our stories as makers are valuable. [Life is humbling. Sharing our journeys is uplifting and productive.]
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