Customer Reviews

Umbrella (Picture Puffins)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

I decided to read this Caldecott Honor Book (1958) to my girls since I am half Japanese. Taro Yashima, a Japanese author and artist, dedicated Umbrella to his daughter Momo whom the story centers around. Momo is given red rubber boots and an umbrella for her third birthday. She really liked her gifts and was very anxious to use them. When it was sunny, Momo wanted to use her umbrella. When it was windy, Momo wanted to use her umbrella. Each time Momo's mother said that she would have to wait for a rainy day before she could use her umbrella. One morning Momo's mother woke Momo up because it was raining. Yashima tells us that this is the first day where Momo had to walk straight, like a grown-up-lady, and not hold her parents hands. My girls are quite amused at how Yashima describes the music of the raindrops - Bon polo, bon polo, ponpolo...boto boto ponpolo. They crack up every time I read that part. Although Yashima was a successful illustrator who studied art in both Japan and America, I find his artwork in Umbrella to be kind of basic and rather odd. However, I know very little about art. I do like how there are four characters with translations found on a few of the pages. These characters are haru (spring), natsu (summer), ame (rain) and momo (peach). Umbrella is a touching story that can teach you a little about the Japanese culture.

This story could easily be told about any child. It's just a girl waiting and waiting to use her new umbrella, and then striving to be responsible (and grown-up!) when she does.

I love the details, how this was the first time she walked home without holding her parents' hands, how she had forgotten other things before, but not her umbrella now that she's growing up.

The art isn't my favorite, I'll admit, but I can live with it.

"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.

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.

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! :)

Sweet, simple story about a young girl's present of an umbrella. While it does seem a bit dated - mostly because of the (beautiful) illustrations, it really doesn't lose any appeal in my opinion. Both of my boys have enjoyed this book at the pre-school age and I have enjoyed reading it. A classic that would make a lovely gift.