Kindness is a magical thing, and in this gentle picture book kindness comes from somewhere unexpected. When a seemingly ordinary blue umbrella is offered to provide shelter from the rain, it grows to accommodate anyone in need.
It was not supposed to rain on the day that a small blue umbrella showed up on the little girl’s doorstep with a note saying “For you.” But she decided to take it along just in case. And despite the odds, it did rain. Seeing that her mom was getting soaked, the girl invites her to come under the umbrella too. At first it seemed like they couldn’t possibly both fit, but then something magical happened…
The umbrella grew. So they offered shelter to more and more neighbors. What should have been a tight squeeze was instead enough room for everyone.
This story is a true celebration of kindness and sharing, with poignant words from Emily Ann Davison and charming illustrations from Momoko Abe, and is sure to become a favorite for young readers.---from the publisher
32 pages 978-0593569573 Ages 3-7
Keywords: kindness, sharing, helping others, social situations, 3 year old, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old
Read Alikes: The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates; The Mitten by Jan Brett; Mushrooms in the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg
*****
It wasn't supposed to rain the day the little girl found the blue umbrella on her doorstep with a note that said, "For you." But she took it with her to the park just in case, and sure enough the rain started. As it got heavier, she realised her mum was getting wet, and even though it was just a little umbrella she told her mum to get under it. And, miraculously, they both fitted. As they noticed more and more people getting wet, they invited them to shelter too, and the umbrella grew to embrace them all. But the biggest miracle was yet to come...
This is a heart-warming story of the power of community coming and working together that will delight young readers, particularly. Somewhat reminiscent of the story of the magic pot that kept multiplying the food so all the peasants could be fed, but without the didacticism, it shows just how the ripples of kindness can spread into unexpected corners - how a simple act might be the shining light in a person's struggle, as it was for the old man on the park bench. Perhaps the children might not have a mysterious, magic umbrella but they do have a smile that can spread just as widely.
Recommended by: Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
See more of her recommendations:
500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org/
The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/
Storybook Cushions http:// bit.ly/storybook_cushions
