Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) [Hardcover]

Dong Il Sheen (Author), Jae-Soo Liu (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)

The perfect book for a rainy day, but also for an art lessen, a lazy afternoon, or a quiet classroom. Accompanied by a CD of original and evocative piano music, this is a book meant to be enjoyed by all people, connecting us through music and art and transcending language and cultural barriers. Readers, "lookers" and listeners of all ages will love this slice of a rainy day.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The acoustic, compelling "plink, plink" played on the higher octaves of the piano appropriately sets the mood for paging through Yellow Umbrella, a wordless picture book packaged and designed to be read with an enclosed classical-style music CD. Originally published in South Korea, the volume is both delicate and handsome, with illustrator Jae Soo Liu presenting a high-rise view of colorful umbrellas carried by children on a rainy walk to school. The joyful hues multiply with each successive spread. Composer Dong II Sheen gracefully glides between rhythms throughout the 15 tracks here (a deep, persistent beat accompanies paintings that include a train; jaunty notes sprinkle other rain scenes), maintaining an overall happy tone.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...enchanting and unexpectedly moving." --Kimchi Mamas

"Originally published in South Korea, the volume is both delicate and handsome, with illustrator Jae Soo Liu presenting a high-rise view of colorful umbrellas carried by children on a rainy walk to school. The joyful hues multiply with each successive spread. Composer Dong II Sheen gracefully glides between rhythms throughout the 15 tracks here (a deep, persistent beat accompanies paintings that include a train; jaunty notes sprinkle other rain scenes), maintaining an overall happy tone." --- Publishers Weekly

"This lovely and unusual treat will...inspire classroom activities...from art and creative writing to quiet contemplation." --- Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132360
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132362
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Both Parent's & Children, December 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) (Hardcover)

This beautifully illustrated children's book is a must have. A wordless book; a story unfolds through outstanding watercolor paintings allowing readers' imagination to invent their own story. Adding to the excitement is the CD of piano music to be played while reading the book. My daughter and I were transported to a rainy day through the beuatiful music. We have read this book several times in the week since I purchased it and I know we will enjoy it for countless reads & listens to come.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Experience, March 6, 2003

By 

michael reali (Barnard, Vermont (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) (Hardcover)

My daughters (3 and 5) received the book from their Aunt. The first night we popped the CD in and slowly turned the pages...I watched their eyes as we went page by page and saw smiles come and go throughout the book. The fact that there are no words makes us slow down, mingle music with imagination and every now and then we make up our own words - sprinkled here and there among the raindrops - to take the story in new directions whenever we choose.

Now...the CD player in the car brings the pictures back to the girls as we travel down to Rhode Island to visit family. Fabulous choice - thanks Aunt Betty and Uncle Duck.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this children's book..., October 20, 2003

By 

Glenn Miller (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yellow Umbrella (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)) (Hardcover)

... so much so that I chose to review it. It is an atypical "counting" book... one in which a certain object, in this case -- umbrellas, is added to each page. But the twist is that a CD comes with this book. The CD has various cuts of original piano music. Each cut wonderfully reflects the setting of the given page. On one page, as the umbrellas cross over a bridge, you can hear the plink-plink of the raindrops on the water below. On another page, you can hear an approaching train as the pianist speeds up his delivery of original music. The artwork is beautiful, with a subdued rainy palette used for backgrounds. Only the umbrellas themselves are vibrantly depicted. It's only at the end of the book in which we actually get a glimpse of the people (children) carrying the umbrellas, and even on that page, one only sees their legs. My two sons enjoyed trying to guess who might be carrying the umbrellas and where they might be going. My 9-year-old said, "Wouldn't it be funny if they turned out to be monsters!" Monsters notwithstanding, the audio-visual combination makes for a wonderful experience just before dropping off to sleep.