Umbrella (Picture Puffins) [Mass Market Paperback]

Taro Yashima (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1977 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Puffins

Momo eagerly waits for a rainy day so she can use the red boots and umbrella she received on her third birthday.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The anticipation, impatience, and joy of a little girl who waits for a rainy day to use her birthday umbrella are sensitively portrayed in a beautiful picture book." -Booklist

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 25, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140502408
• ISBN-13: 978-0140502404
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A story about patience and growing independence, May 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Umbrella (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Picture Puffin Books (Pb)) (School & Library Binding)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read aloud, April 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Umbrella (Picture Puffins) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a sweet story that both my 3 year old daughter and I love. The ending chokes me up every time I read it. My daughter loves the rhythm of the rain falling on Momo's umbrella: Pon polo, pon polo, polo polo pon polo.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book; Great Illustrator, September 8, 2005

By 

blbooks "Becky" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Umbrella (Picture Puffins) (Mass Market Paperback)

Originally published in 1958, UMBRELLA is the story of a young girl, Momo, who receives an umbrella and red rubber boots for her third birthday. Momo is as impatient as her parents are insistent that her new presents be saved for a rainy day--not a sunny day or a windy day!

In addition to telling a story of a preschooler's impatience and eagerness, the story also tells of a child's growing independence. With the rain comes an opportunity for Momo to grow and mature. "The street was crowded and noisy, but she whispered to herself, `I must walk straight, like a grown-up lady!'" (18). Momo also shows signs of becoming more responsible, "She did not forget her umbrella when her father came to take her home. She used to forget her mittens or her scarf so easily -- but not her umbrella" (24). The story concludes with this memorable note, "It was not only the first day in her life that she used her umbrella, it was also the first day in her life that she walked alone, without holding either her mother's or her father's hand" (32).

Taro Yashima was a gifted author and illustrator. Both text and illustrations are memorable. (It was by far my favorite picture book growing up--especially the bon polos!!!) His use of language in this book especially was brilliant.