The Blue Umbrella
By Author / Illustrator
Emily Ann Davison, Momoko Abe
Genre
Friends and family
Age range(s)
5+
Publisher
Andersen Press
ISBN
9781839132537
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
01-02-2024
Synopsis
The most magical things can happen even on the rainiest of days...How many people can you fit under one umbrella? It wasn't even meant to rain the day the blue umbrella turned up, but for the people who used it that day, they found something more than just shelter: something truly amazing had happened. A community had come together, bound by kindness and friendship.
Reviews
Jemma
The Blue Umbrella is a heartwarming story that highlights the power of compassion and community. It begins with a mysterious umbrella being given to the main character; a young girl. Although the umbrella is small, she offers her mum a space underneath it when raindrops begin to fall. She notices people in the park are getting wet, so she offers a space to them as well. Then more and more people join, and the umbrella magically accommodates everyone. Talking and laughter can be heard underneath the blue umbrella as everyone shares their picnics.
Both my daughter and I really loved this joyful, touching book. As a primary teacher to young children, I plan on reading this story to my class. I think this is perfect book to reinforce many of our Health and Wellbeing lessons including those on friendship and kindness. The illustrations show a diverse range of people including characters in wheelchairs, characters with a range of skin colours and hair types, and characters of all ages. I also love the slightly muted colour scheme and the natural feel of the front cover.
Picture book / Reviewed by Jemma Jeffrey, teacher
Suggested Reading Age 3+