*New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award
*Parent's Choice Silver Honors 1987
Summary
Originally published in South Korea, this book is beautifully illustrated, initially showing a gray page with one yellow umbrella leaving a home. This yellow umbrella is then joined by a blue, then a red, then a green, and so on, and although the grayness stays, the scenery changes. The people are traveling the city and more are joining them along the way. Illustrations are from above, as if someone were in a helicopter flying over the city and photographing the umbrellas. There are raindrops when going over the bridge of water, and though there is a large group of umbrellas, there is still the sole yellow one. The last page shows the umbrellas from a different view, as if the artist were behind all of them. By the height of the umbrellas and the view of the legs underneath, the readers can see that these umbrellas are held by children, and they are all going to school.
Discussion
As a parent I would love to see how my child would narrate this book. There is an accompanying CD with the sounds of gorgeous classical music imitating a rainy day, helping children to get into the mood of reading the book. The bright colors of the umbrellas and their contrast with the grayness of their surroundings helps them to stand out even moreso. This book can provoke discussions with young children about colors and rainy days, and if the child comes to the realization that the umbrellas are held by schoolchildren, families can talk about school. The illustrations really supplement for the lack of a written story, and I honestly believe that a written story would take away from the beauty of these large drawings.
Liu, J., & Sheen, D. I. (2002). Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)). China: Kane/Miller Book Pub.
Summary
Originally published in South Korea, this book is beautifully illustrated, initially showing a gray page with one yellow umbrella leaving a home. This yellow umbrella is then joined by a blue, then a red, then a green, and so on, and although the grayness stays, the scenery changes. The people are traveling the city and more are joining them along the way. Illustrations are from above, as if someone were in a helicopter flying over the city and photographing the umbrellas. There are raindrops when going over the bridge of water, and though there is a large group of umbrellas, there is still the sole yellow one. The last page shows the umbrellas from a different view, as if the artist were behind all of them. By the height of the umbrellas and the view of the legs underneath, the readers can see that these umbrellas are held by children, and they are all going to school.
Discussion
As a parent I would love to see how my child would narrate this book. There is an accompanying CD with the sounds of gorgeous classical music imitating a rainy day, helping children to get into the mood of reading the book. The bright colors of the umbrellas and their contrast with the grayness of their surroundings helps them to stand out even moreso. This book can provoke discussions with young children about colors and rainy days, and if the child comes to the realization that the umbrellas are held by schoolchildren, families can talk about school. The illustrations really supplement for the lack of a written story, and I honestly believe that a written story would take away from the beauty of these large drawings.
Liu, J., & Sheen, D. I. (2002). Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)). China: Kane/Miller Book Pub.
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