Umbrella

by Taro Yashima

Book Overview

Momo can't wait to use the red boots and umbrella she received on her birthday. All she needs now is a rainy day Soft illustrations portray a thoughtful story about patience and growing independence."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140502408
• ISBN13: 9780140502404
• Release Date: August 1977
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.6" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 2 to 5 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten

Customer Reviews

Not acceptable at all!

This book has a page torn out and it was underlined in every page. It also has crayon scribbling and you can’t even see the illustrations due to the scribbling. This book shouldn’t have been sold. It is also dirty on the front cover. It is sticky and disgusting.

A story that has withstood the test of time

"Umbrella" is a beautiful story, simply told, with such an effective use of language by author-illustrator Taro Yashima. Published in 1958, this enduring story about a 3-year-old girl continues to exert a pull on the imagination of youngsters, and still tugs at the heartstrings of older readers. Momo ["Peach" in Japanese] has just turned three, and receives a pair of red boots and an umbrella on her birthday. Eager to use her umbrella, little Momo waits impatiently for a rainy day, since her mother doesn't allow her to use it on a sunny day or windy day. When Momo eventually gets to use her cherished umbrella on a rainy day, readers get to see an independent young 'lady' who walks without holding either her father or mother's hands for the very first time, and also demonstrates responsibility. The use of language in this book is simply brilliant, economical, yet evocative - the sound of the rain conveyed by the words "Bon polo bon polo ponpolo ponpolo..." As one reads these words out aloud, the effect is soothing and calming, almost like real raindrops gently coming down. The illustrations are reminiscent of Japanese illustrations, and are striking.Highly recommended for any young child's library, and a great book for reading aloud. Also recommended for classroom libraries, especially in multicultural-themed lessons.

Favorite Childhood Book

We must have taken this book out of the library at least 100 times when my daughter was little. When she was an adult, I bought her a copy for Christmas one year. She doesn't have any children of her own, but she is now buying it for a friend's daughter. It is a beautiful book and well loved by us for both the story and the memories of those days when my daughter was a little girl.

Recommended by 4th Grade Teacher

I teach 4th grade and I used this book, and "Crow Boy" also by Yashima to get my students to start making connections to text. The students love both texts and continually make references to them and the activities we completed with them. The art in the books is also engaging. Highly recommended! :)

Rain, Rain, DON'T Go Away!

Momo is delighted with the umbrella and rain boots she receives for her third birthday. She eagerly awaits a rainy day as she knows that her umbrella and boots are not for sunny or windy days. The preschooler's impatience and eagerness to use her new "grown up" presents can be recognized and understood. With those gifts come Momo's independence and sense of self. Momo reminds herself to comport herself "like a grown up lady" and one can't help but smile at how Momo sees herself and her world, rain or shine. That umbrella was the start of Momo's independence; it is one thing she never forgot to bring home; she was able to walk unescorted and she saw herself as being closer to the "grown up ladies" she admires. This is an excellent book and a timeless classic that will shine on the memories of those who read and/or listen to it.

A story about patience and growing independence

This was my favorite book when I was a little girl! When I had my daughter, I began looking for it, but I couldn't remember the author's name. After all, as a child, who wrote the book didn't really matter to me. I vividly remembered the clean Japanese-style drawings, and the beautiful, rythmic song of the rain falling on Momo's umbrella. Then, my mother brought out a box of my old books. There it was! Well-worn, and well-loved. Now as a mother, I also remember that this book was one of a number of beautiful multicultural books that came out in the late '60s and early '70s. They were a pretty new thing when I was growing up. Having a multicultural family, I don't take that for granted. And now, being the storyteller, I'm enjoying this book all over again, feeling both pride - and a little sadness - as my little bird takes off in flight, and soars a little higher each day.