The Umbrella

by Beth Ferry, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Overview

From the New York Times bestselling creators behind Stick and Stone comes an inspiring story of persistence, kindness, and curiosity—a perfect read-aloud, rain or shine.

In a dreary town where it always rains, a little girl and her dog discover an unexpected way to spread the light. Told with surprise and humor, here is a story of generosity, perseverance, and the way that happiness can be contagious—all it takes is one person and a bright idea.

This gorgeously illustrated story is a feel-good classic in the making for all bedtimes and story times.

Read more books by the acclaimed duo Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld:

• Stick and Stone
• Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever!
• Stick and Stone Explore and More
• Stick and Stone on the Go

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358447726
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/21/2023
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Beth Ferry is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous picture books, including Stick and Stone, The Scarecrow, and The Nice Dream Truck. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

Tom Lichtenheld makes books for children and people who used to be children. His New York Times bestsellers include I Wish You More and Duck! Rabbit!, created with Amy Krouse Rosenthal; Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, created with Sherri Duskey Rinker; and Stick and Stone, created with Beth Ferry. See all his books at tomlichtenheld.com.

Editorial Reviews

01/09/2023

Wet, gray weather is no match for the bright spirit of a yellow umbrella–toting child in this buoyant picture book from the creators of Stick and Stone. Though it’s “Dim./ Grim” and raining out of doors, a white-presenting child pulls on galoshes and a slicker to walk an energetic dog: “Gotta go—// rain or snow.” As they hurry through puddles, a clap of thunder sends the pair scurrying under the inviting awning, and through the door, of a curio shop. Emerging from the store with treasure—a bedraggled yellow umbrella tagged “FREE!”—the duo splash home, leaving bits of the umbrella’s tattered canopy in their wake. A few dreary days later (“Drop./ Drop./ Nonstop”), the youth discovers that the umbrella’s remnants have worked a fulsome magic that, with help, powers a sunny community movement. Ferry’s concise, rhyming text deftly captures the rhythm of the rain and the flow of the protagonist’s moods. In his signature loose-lined pencil and watercolor spreads, Lichtenheld delivers expressive, dot-eyed characters shown with ready smiles and various skin tones. The story’s gray backdrop of sheeting, streaking rain fittingly contrasts with the image of a bright yellow umbrella—a favorite symbol adopted by the late author and former Lichtenheld collaborator Amy Krouse Rosenthal, to whose memory this book is dedicated. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

PRAISE FOR THE UMBRELLA: ★ "The exceptional duo behind Stick and Stone are back with another unmissable and upbeat collaboration. Simple and superb—a must-have for any collection."
— School Library Journal (starred review)

PRAISE FOR THE UMBRELLA: "Dim days end with a bright romp thanks to magic. This celebration of patience and sharing light will spread delight." — Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE UMBRELLA: "A pleasing pick-me-up story, rain or shine."  — Horn Book Magazine

PRAISE FOR THE SCARECROW: “An emotionally impactful exploration of love and loneliness, this is an essential addition to any picture book collection.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

PRAISE FOR STICK AND STONE: “This warm and tender story of two BFFs is made even more enjoyable by the charming, textured tan and blue illustrations . . . the text, suitable for beginning readers, sweetly expresses what it is to be and to have a good friend.”  — School Library Journal (starred review)

PRAISE FOR SWASHBY AND THE SEA: Telling a story with imagination and wit, Ferry creates a cantankerous but lovable character in Captain Swashby and a mysterious, well-intentioned, mischievous one in the sea...an exceptionally satisfying picture book."  — Booklist (starred review)

PRAISE FOR SWASHBY AND THE SEA: "This readaloud is sweetly told as Swashby overcomes his bitter habits to welcome new, friendly, and energetic people into his quiet life....Martinez-Neal’s art captures the essence of the ocean."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

From the Publisher

★ 05/05/2023

PreS-Gr 2—The exceptional duo behind Stick and Stone are back with another unmissable and upbeat collaboration that begins with seemingly endless rain. Brief, rhyming text—"Dim. Grim. Drip. Drop. Nonstop"—captures the gray and dispiriting mood. However, rain or shine, a young child must walk the dog. Donning their best rain gear, the duo venture outside and come across a free yellow umbrella while browsing in a shop. Their excitement is short-lived when the umbrella tears into pieces on the journey home. More rainy days follow, and they make a wonderful discovery: the pieces of yellow cloth have bloomed into brand new umbrellas! The child collects the umbrellas, distributing them throughout the community; this clears the clouds and spreads sunshine in the process. Ferry's masterful use of limited text expertly captures the emotions of the young girl, the atmosphere of the town, as well as the rhythm of the rain. Lichtenheld's expressive illustrations pair perfectly with the text, depicting the community in shades of gray before featuring pops of yellow. Pair with Amy June Bates's The Big Umbrella and Linda Ashman's When the Storm Comes for additional uplifting storm and community-centered titles. VERDICT Simple and superb—a must-have for any collection.—Olivia Gorecke

School Library Journal

2022-11-16
Dim days end with a bright romp thanks to magic—and the magic of sharing.

Ferry and Lichtenheld drum the weather’s dripping rhythm in brief, rhyming text (“Dreary. / Weary. // Dim. / Grim”) and gray tones: relentless rain. The small, light-skinned heroine’s brief break arrives when she has to walk her dog; she finds a tattered umbrella (free!) in a jumble shop. But even that prize disappoints when it deconstructs in bright yellow leaflike bits blown across a park. More rainy nights and days follow, until—what?!—each scattered bit has sprouted into a dazzling new umbrella! The girl harvests and then shares them in the public square (where, looking closely, we can spot one person using a wheelchair and a few with brownish faces, though most appear to be light-skinned). As the brilliant brollies spread everywhere, clouds retreat and play begins. As in Ferry and Lichtenheld’s Stick and Stone (2015), the text will be memorized and chanted; the illustrations rely on very lively linework and more detail than in that book, managing efficiently with gray and (eventually) dandelion hues. Minimally detailed faces, quirky vehicles, and a cartoon canine fit the fanciful concept just as the girl and her friends fit the age range of this tale’s readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

This celebration of patience and sharing light will spread delight. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews