In a story based on the author’s childhood, young Virginia is in need of a new winter coat—something her family can’t afford. Instead, she has to wait and see if there’s a coat in the “Theast” boxes—clothing donated from New England (“the East”) churches. And when the boxes finally arrive, there is! It’s made of animal fur, and Virginia longs for it. But because she is the minister’s daughter, she has to wait until the rest of the congregation families have chosen what they need. Inevitably, the coat is taken. To make matters worse, it’s taken by a girl whom Virginia can’t stand. Young Virginia’s authentically childlike feelings of disappointment and jealousy as she struggles to uphold the values of selflessness stressed by her parents are wonderfully realized. And her effort is sweetly rewarded, most notably when Christmas brings an unexpected surprise in this picture book that offers a realistic look at economic hardship in the context of a warm and loving family. Aspects of Native (Sneve is Sioux) culture are subtle elements of the story, and occasionally stand out in the illustrations. (Ages 4–8)

Virginia's old coat is too small. The cold South Dakota wind blows across the Rosebud Indian Reservation, making her shiver as she walks to school. Virginia dreams of a new coat arriving in the Theast boxes-parcels of clothing from churches in "The East." But, she knows she may not have a chance for a coat this year. Her father is the village Episcopal priest, so her family chooses last, and as Mama always says, "The others need it more than we do."

Generosity and unexpected joy remind Virginia of the importance of community within this story from the author's childhood.