The Green Umbrella

Written by: Jackie Azua Kramer

Illustrated by: Maral Sassouni

Published by: North South Inc 2017

Ages:   4 – 8 years

Theme: Imagination, Friendship, Sharing, Adventure

Opening Lines: One rainy day an Elephant was taking a walk with his green umbrella. Along came a Hedgehog.

Synopsis: From Amazon – When Elephant takes a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, he’s interrupted by Hedgehog, Cat, Bear, and Rabbit—all claiming that they’ve had exciting adventures with his umbrella. After all, it is an umbrella, and it certainly hasn’t been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it?

Why I like this: I don’t just like it. I love this gorgeous story, a debut between Jackie and Maral of imagination, sharing and friendship. Firstly the cover is gorgeous and I first giggled thinking the elephant was flying with his green umbrella. With colourful illustrations of animals with such cute expressions, there is a magical feel right down to the “Mary Poppin-like” umbrella in the umbrella stand. Jackie uses imagination to the max as Elephant comes across Hedgehog, Cat, Bear, and Rabbit on his walk with his umbrella. Each tries to explain that the umbrella is theirs and the adventures they have had with his umbrella. But Elephant is not so easily fooled. Things aren’t always what they seem in this charming tale and fun read aloud.

Resources/Findings: Here is a beautiful animated trailer of the book….   https://vimeo.com/198642637

Jackie’s website – learn more about Jackie and The Green Umbrella…     https://www.jackieazuakramer.com/new-page-c18i6

It wasn’t till I was about to post this on my blog that I remembered where I had first seen this story and the lovely Q and A with the author. Oh well I couldn’t resist reviewing it too…   Here she chats with Joanna on Miss Marple’s Musings… http://joannamarple.com/2017/02/07/q-a-with-jackie-azua-kramer-and-maral-sassouni/

Great video on making paper elephants… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t-c5w3ux2U

I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view.  So pop over  and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.    Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors