Review: It's Umbrella Day!

​I would think Umbrella Day would be celebrated in a month like April, but February? In my part of the world I’m taking out my snow boots & winter coat instead of an umbrella, but we can still celebrate a wonderful invention like the umbrella, I suppose! And, of course, I have the perfect picture book to review for such an occasion: 

TITLE: THE BIG UMBRELLA

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Amy June Bates
CO-AUTHOR: Juniper Bates

PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers/2018

​OPENING LINES:  By the front door…
                                there is an umbrella. 
                                It is big. 
                                It is a big, friendly umbrella

​What a lovely way to open a book! I don’t know about you, but I want to read more about friendly and helping and welcoming others, and this book does all of that. This book subtly addresses themes of inclusion, kindness, and tolerance, and not only does the text welcomes the reader, but so do the beautiful watercolor, gouache and pencil illustrations. This book features all things I love in a picture book: a positive message, engaging illustrations, a diverse cast of characters (and I mean diverse!), illustrated end papers (front different from back) and even a surprise under the dust jacket. Read this book and it will warm your heart, even on a rainy day.
 
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