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The Olden Days Coat
Truly a classic by one of Canada’s finest authors
Ten-year-old Sal is disappointed when she and her parents spend Christmas at her grandmother’s house, instead of at home, like they did before Grandpa died. In order to pass the time, Sal explores the contents of an old trunk. Searching through the old photographs she comes across a little girl’s winter coat, tries it on, and finds herself transported into the past where she makes an unexpected connection to her heritage and her grandmother.
This model tale of time travel was one of Margaret Laurence’s few forays into children’s literature and has remained a favourite of children of all ages. New art by the original illustrator makes this a beautiful book for Christmas and for all seasons. A special treat for Margaret Laurence fans.
Ten-year-old Sal is disappointed when she and her parents spend Christmas at her grandmother’s house, instead of at home, like they did before Grandpa died. In order to pass the time, Sal explores the contents of an old trunk. Searching through the old photographs she comes across a little girl’s winter coat, tries it on, and finds herself transported into the past where she makes an unexpected connection to her heritage and her grandmother.
This model tale of time travel was one of Margaret Laurence’s few forays into children’s literature and has remained a favourite of children of all ages. New art by the original illustrator makes this a beautiful book for Christmas and for all seasons. A special treat for Margaret Laurence fans.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
1 person is currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Laurence
48 books407 followersCanada's classic authoress was born Jean Margaret Wemyss on July 18, 1926 in the prairie town of Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada. Her Mom, Verna, passed away early. Her Aunt Margaret helped her Father take care of her for a year, then they married and had a Son. Their Father died two years afterwards. Aunt Margaret was a Mother to her, raising the kids in theirr maternal Grandfather's home.
Margaret wrote stories in elementary school. Her professional writing career began in 1943 with a job at the town newspaper and continued in 1944, when she entered the Honours English program at Winnipeg's United College (University Of Winnipeg.) After graduating in 1947, she was hired as a reporter for The Winnipeg Citizen. That year, she married Jack Laurence, a civil engineer.
Jack's profession took the couple to England, Somalia, and eventually Ghana, where Margaret gained an appreciation for Africa and the storytelling traditions of its peoples. It was in Africa that their children, Jocelyn and David, were born, and when Margaret began to work seriously on her writing. Her book of essays about and translations of Somali poetry and prose was published in 1954 as A Tree for Poverty. A collection of short stories, The Tomorrow-Tamer, as well as a novel, This Side Jordan (both focusing on African subjects) were published after Margaret returned home to Canada. Her fiction was thereafter concerned with Canadian subjects, but she maintained her interest in African literature and in 1968 published a critical analysis of Nigerian literature, Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists 1952-1966. Present in her African works is a concern with the ethical dilemma of being a white colonialist living in colonial Africa.
In 1957, Margaret and her family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, for five years. In 1962, Margaret & Jack divorced. She moved to London, England for a year, followed by a cottage in Buckinghamshire for ten years, although she visited Canada often. During this period, Margaret wrote her first works with Canadian subject matter.
"The Stone Angel" was published in 1964, and was the first of her "Manawaka novels", the fictional prairie community modelled after her hometown of Neepawa, Manitoba. It was followed by "A Jest Of God" in 1966 (for which she won her first Governor General's Award,) "The Fire-Dwellers" in 1969, and "A Bird In The House" in 1970. Margaret received critical and commercial acclaim in Canada and in 1971, was honoured by being named a Companion to the Order of Canada.
In the early 1970s, she returned to Canada and settled in Lakefield, Ontario. She continued to write and was writer-in-residence at the University Of Toronto, the University Of Western Ontario, and Trent University. In 1974, Margaret completed her final novel, "The Diviners", for which she received the Governor General's Award and the Molson Prize. It was followed by a book of essays, Heart Of A Stranger" in 1976 and several children's books: "Jason's Quest", "The Olden-Days Coat", "Six Darn Cows", and "The Christmas Birthday Story". Her autobiography "Dance On The Earth" was published in 1987.
Margaret died on January 5, 1987 at her home in Lakefield, after learning her lung cancer diagnosis was terminal. She is buried in Neepawa Cemetery, a few metres from the stone angel which inspired her novel.
Margaret wrote stories in elementary school. Her professional writing career began in 1943 with a job at the town newspaper and continued in 1944, when she entered the Honours English program at Winnipeg's United College (University Of Winnipeg.) After graduating in 1947, she was hired as a reporter for The Winnipeg Citizen. That year, she married Jack Laurence, a civil engineer.
Jack's profession took the couple to England, Somalia, and eventually Ghana, where Margaret gained an appreciation for Africa and the storytelling traditions of its peoples. It was in Africa that their children, Jocelyn and David, were born, and when Margaret began to work seriously on her writing. Her book of essays about and translations of Somali poetry and prose was published in 1954 as A Tree for Poverty. A collection of short stories, The Tomorrow-Tamer, as well as a novel, This Side Jordan (both focusing on African subjects) were published after Margaret returned home to Canada. Her fiction was thereafter concerned with Canadian subjects, but she maintained her interest in African literature and in 1968 published a critical analysis of Nigerian literature, Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists 1952-1966. Present in her African works is a concern with the ethical dilemma of being a white colonialist living in colonial Africa.
In 1957, Margaret and her family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, for five years. In 1962, Margaret & Jack divorced. She moved to London, England for a year, followed by a cottage in Buckinghamshire for ten years, although she visited Canada often. During this period, Margaret wrote her first works with Canadian subject matter.
"The Stone Angel" was published in 1964, and was the first of her "Manawaka novels", the fictional prairie community modelled after her hometown of Neepawa, Manitoba. It was followed by "A Jest Of God" in 1966 (for which she won her first Governor General's Award,) "The Fire-Dwellers" in 1969, and "A Bird In The House" in 1970. Margaret received critical and commercial acclaim in Canada and in 1971, was honoured by being named a Companion to the Order of Canada.
In the early 1970s, she returned to Canada and settled in Lakefield, Ontario. She continued to write and was writer-in-residence at the University Of Toronto, the University Of Western Ontario, and Trent University. In 1974, Margaret completed her final novel, "The Diviners", for which she received the Governor General's Award and the Molson Prize. It was followed by a book of essays, Heart Of A Stranger" in 1976 and several children's books: "Jason's Quest", "The Olden-Days Coat", "Six Darn Cows", and "The Christmas Birthday Story". Her autobiography "Dance On The Earth" was published in 1987.
Margaret died on January 5, 1987 at her home in Lakefield, after learning her lung cancer diagnosis was terminal. She is buried in Neepawa Cemetery, a few metres from the stone angel which inspired her novel.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 20, 2012
I was excited to read this story to our girls, but they seemed a bit hesitant at the long narrative. We've read longer books with no pictures, but for some reason, I think our girls have come to expect picture books to be short. When I had only read a couple of pages, our youngest said she was going to sleep and that it was okay if I finished it without her.
I was a bit disappointed, but our oldest was still engaged in the story, so I pressed on. As we reached the middle of the story, I noticed that our youngest had returned and wanted to see the pictures. (Yay!) I'm pretty sure she listened the whole time, but I didn't press the matter. And so, despite the length of the narrative, we all really enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is very good (if a bit long) and the illustrations are colorful and realistic, evoking a sense of a Christmas winter wonderland. I thought the story was very creative, although I thought Sal's departure from the past was a bit overly dramatic. Overall, though I thought it was an interesting and creative tale that is perfect for Christmastime.
This story was selected as one of the books for the December 2012 - Warm Quilts and Soft Mittens reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
I was a bit disappointed, but our oldest was still engaged in the story, so I pressed on. As we reached the middle of the story, I noticed that our youngest had returned and wanted to see the pictures. (Yay!) I'm pretty sure she listened the whole time, but I didn't press the matter. And so, despite the length of the narrative, we all really enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is very good (if a bit long) and the illustrations are colorful and realistic, evoking a sense of a Christmas winter wonderland. I thought the story was very creative, although I thought Sal's departure from the past was a bit overly dramatic. Overall, though I thought it was an interesting and creative tale that is perfect for Christmastime.
This story was selected as one of the books for the December 2012 - Warm Quilts and Soft Mittens reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
May 26, 2017
I have nearly all Margaret Laurence's books and visited her house in December. Her genius amazes me. Her children's stories in particular receive five stars from me! I love those few ventures. They are relatable, astute masterpieces! “Six Darn Cows” with Ann Blade's unusual art perspective is a must. However, when I happened upon “The Olden Days Coat”; I was elated to be this blown away! It has a movie, which says something about the profundity of a 32-page storybook. I would treasure seeing it. It surely expands this phenomenal story. Muriel Wood's wintry art bestows a graceful, dazzling touch.
Call it magic! Call it fantasy! Ten year-old Sal prefers not to celebrate Christmas at her Grandma's house, although she adores her. The city gal can't think of anything to do in a small town but Grandma is not up to visiting their house as usual, with Grandpa gone. Thus she explores a trunk and is transported in time, about 70 years earlier. I won't say any more, as much as I want to exemplify how extraordinarily inventive and original this tale is. With so few pages, we must let them beguile everyone else. They will know why I will look for this movie and why I wish Margaret had composed a detailed, older reader's novel!
I am sure to be heartily invested in a story and have as many questions as I do, is real praise. I want to know why such an important coat is in a shed. Does anyone knows what it does? Whence does the magic come? Why couldn't Sal remember a recent sojourn? Most of all: how is it possible for one person to dream-up such spectacular fiction!? I am grateful a torn jacket cover did not sway me from bringing this memorable experience home!
Call it magic! Call it fantasy! Ten year-old Sal prefers not to celebrate Christmas at her Grandma's house, although she adores her. The city gal can't think of anything to do in a small town but Grandma is not up to visiting their house as usual, with Grandpa gone. Thus she explores a trunk and is transported in time, about 70 years earlier. I won't say any more, as much as I want to exemplify how extraordinarily inventive and original this tale is. With so few pages, we must let them beguile everyone else. They will know why I will look for this movie and why I wish Margaret had composed a detailed, older reader's novel!
I am sure to be heartily invested in a story and have as many questions as I do, is real praise. I want to know why such an important coat is in a shed. Does anyone knows what it does? Whence does the magic come? Why couldn't Sal remember a recent sojourn? Most of all: how is it possible for one person to dream-up such spectacular fiction!? I am grateful a torn jacket cover did not sway me from bringing this memorable experience home!
May 23, 2011
I have such treasured memories of this book... My aunt, whom I've always been close to, bought me the audiobook when I was a child, and I used to listen to it every night while I was falling asleep in bed. I knew it by heart word-for-word, and absolutely loved the story. The voice in the audiobook was so soothing and calm, perfect for a bedtime story. I was so happy when I found a paper copy in a bookstore years later as a young adult, and thrilled that I still remembered every word. Thinking about it now, I think I'll get myself the audiobook again and listen to it at bedtime :-)
December 1, 2018
Celebrated Canadian novelist Margaret Laurence turned to children's fiction in this short story about a young girl and her Christmas time-slip experience, presented here in picture-book form. Although she loves her Gran, ten-year-old Sal resents having to spend the Christmas holidays at her house in the country. Why can't her grandmother come to Sal's house in the city, as she used to do before Grandad died? What will Sal do, so far away from all of her friends? Wandering out to the shed behind Gran's house, Sal passes the time by looking through some old photo albums she finds there. Coming across an old-fashioned blue coat, she puts it on, and finds herself in the past. Here she meets Sarah, a young girl her own age who gives her a snowy sleigh ride, and shows her the beautiful Christmas present she has just been given. Returning to the present, Sal wonders about the purpose of her temporal journey, until she opens her Gran's Christmas present...
Chosen as one of our December selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Warm Quilts and Soft Mittens," The Olden Days Coat is less of a picture-book than an illustrated work of short fiction. It is an engaging story, one whose appeal is in no way harmed by the obvious solution to the question of Sarah's identity, and the purpose of Sal's trip back in time. I enjoyed the artwork by Muriel Wood - full-page color illustrations are paired with pages of text - particularly some of the snowy scenes in the sleigh (or more properly, the "cutter"), but then, I have a weakness for wintry vistas. Apparently this story was made into a short film back in 1981, starring Megan Follows (of Anne of Green Gables fame). I think I will try to track it down, and see how it stacks up. All in all, The Olden Days Coat is a solidly engaging Christmas story, one I would recommend to older picture-book/younger chapter-book readers who enjoy family stories and time-slip tales.
Chosen as one of our December selections over in The Picture-Book Club to which I belong, where our theme this month is "Warm Quilts and Soft Mittens," The Olden Days Coat is less of a picture-book than an illustrated work of short fiction. It is an engaging story, one whose appeal is in no way harmed by the obvious solution to the question of Sarah's identity, and the purpose of Sal's trip back in time. I enjoyed the artwork by Muriel Wood - full-page color illustrations are paired with pages of text - particularly some of the snowy scenes in the sleigh (or more properly, the "cutter"), but then, I have a weakness for wintry vistas. Apparently this story was made into a short film back in 1981, starring Megan Follows (of Anne of Green Gables fame). I think I will try to track it down, and see how it stacks up. All in all, The Olden Days Coat is a solidly engaging Christmas story, one I would recommend to older picture-book/younger chapter-book readers who enjoy family stories and time-slip tales.
June 7, 2011
Another children's book that I read as an adult. I loved it.
May 14, 2012
A longer picture books, dd did not want it to be over.
March 2, 2009
This book was originally read to my class by our school librarian in our beloved "story pit," a wickedly comfortable spot in which to relax, read and fall in love with books. Shortly after this book was brought to my attention, it was made into a television movie. I remember being so excited seeing the commercial about it and exclaiming to my mom that I just HAD to see it! It starred Megan Follows and though I believe it was short, it brought the entire story to life for me. I think I only saw it that once, but it was very memorable to me and I can recall the girl on the cutter in the snow and how the other girl gave her a present from her pocket.
I think there's a certain amount of me in this book. I too have a fascination with things from my past. And even though the girl in the book didn't start out that way, her dreamland encounter with a younger version of her grandmother certainly gave her an interest!
Years later, my former husband and I moved to a small Manitoba town called Neepawa and wouldn't you know it... but the author of my favourite childhood book grew up just down the street from our house! Her childhood home has been made into a museum to Margaret Laurence's life and work. He thoughtfully bought me a beautiful copy of this book at her museum store. It remains a treasure.
I think there's a certain amount of me in this book. I too have a fascination with things from my past. And even though the girl in the book didn't start out that way, her dreamland encounter with a younger version of her grandmother certainly gave her an interest!
Years later, my former husband and I moved to a small Manitoba town called Neepawa and wouldn't you know it... but the author of my favourite childhood book grew up just down the street from our house! Her childhood home has been made into a museum to Margaret Laurence's life and work. He thoughtfully bought me a beautiful copy of this book at her museum store. It remains a treasure.
December 29, 2015
I enjoy time travel books so I was intrigued when I learned about this children's book. The story was sweet but a touch disappointing to me, I guess because the time-travel element was so brief. But as a nice Christmas story for younger children I think it works well. I would have enjoyed a bit more detail in the relationships, but the simplicity of the story would be appreciated by kids.
January 2, 2018
I have read this book many times to young children over the years. Each reading is a magical experience that leaves me with goosebumps. It is long and wordy, but engrossing, charming and heartwarming too.
July 30, 2018
A beautiful story.
December 17, 2019
At 82 years of age, I cannot remember when I first read this book. Perhaps it was to my eldest daughter born in 1961, but definitely my youngest daughter born in 1971 knows and loves it. I have always visualized the "coat" as being a Red River Coat. These were very popular in the 40's, made of a very dark navy wool, with a hood lined in bright red wool. There was some piping on the coat, perhaps on the collar, cuffs, pockets. It came with a red knitted wool sash worn at the waist. Would love to see a photo of one.
I longed to have one, but often my Mother made my coats from a disused adult one, as those coats were expensive and I know anyone wearing one was a rich kid. They were definitely a classic. So, when I see illustrations for the book or DVD, it is a great disappointment to see something that looks like a dressing gown in a bright blue. This is a lovely story so I would love to see a remake of the DVD utilizing the kind of coat typical for the time, and somewhat timeless today as a dress coat. Many coats came with matching wool pants, lined with quilted fabric for warmth. Think - 40 degrees F. With the coat most girls wore a matching, knitted red torque that folded over on top, with a tassel at the end.
I longed to have one, but often my Mother made my coats from a disused adult one, as those coats were expensive and I know anyone wearing one was a rich kid. They were definitely a classic. So, when I see illustrations for the book or DVD, it is a great disappointment to see something that looks like a dressing gown in a bright blue. This is a lovely story so I would love to see a remake of the DVD utilizing the kind of coat typical for the time, and somewhat timeless today as a dress coat. Many coats came with matching wool pants, lined with quilted fabric for warmth. Think - 40 degrees F. With the coat most girls wore a matching, knitted red torque that folded over on top, with a tassel at the end.
July 1, 2022
I remember the short film based on this story with Megan Follows was a core memory from my 1980s childhood. Laurence's writing here is like her adult stories - tight, economical, and profound in its simplicity. Beautiful illustrations too. They might be better than the writing.
November 27, 2019
Loved this Christmas book... a story of time travel and traditions.
February 4, 2025
A sweet Christmas story with lovely pictures.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews