Books I've Written

“Coat of Many Colors” children’s book

Published January 18, 1996 / Last Updated November 17, 2015
Team Dolly is a collaboration of writers, editors, and publishers assembled by Dolly Parton Productions. Each member is dedicated to accurately publishing the latest news and historical archives of the living legend that is Dolly Rebecca Parton.

Managing Editor - Jacob Timmons
Creative Director - Sarah Chapman
Team Dolly

Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors” children’s book brings one of her best-loved songs to life, based on one of her most vivid childhood memories

Winter is coming to Tennessee and there’s no money to buy a new coat, so a little girl’s mama sews one for her out of rags. The little girl wears it to school proudly, and when the other children laugh, she gives them a quick lesson about what it means to be rich.

Like the song, the book tells a powerful story of kindness, understanding and appreciation of what you have in life. Publishers Weekly said,

“The heartfelt verses are imbued with the same genuine, infectiously likeable spirit Parton herself projects.”

The story concludes with the simple but powerful words from the song, “One is only poor, only if they choose to be. Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be, In my coat of many colors my momma made for me.”

The book, published by HarperCollins in 1996, features paintings from illustrator Judith Sutton.

To date, the book has sold over 150,000 copies.

Team Dolly“Coat of Many Colors” children’s book