The umbrella is the protagonist of this delightful picture book: it decides to belong not to the leopard or the bear, who will use it for selfish pursuits, but to the elephant, who invites everyone to share it. Irresistible for its striking, friendly pictures and message about the joy of altruism. – The Sunday Times This charming book tells an important message very simply. Why would the umbrella, or why would anyone, want to be with someone who was selfish and gave no thought to others? Parents will enjoy sharing this thought-provoking book with their children, giving them the opportunity to discuss themes of selfishness and kindness, especially the joy that elephant gets from sharing the umbrella with others. The vivid, collage-effect drawing by Al Khodai perfectly illustrate the jungle. – Carousel The Elephant’s Umbrella is a beautiful picture book and an enjoyable read. The story is simple but has a clear message about the difference between sharing what you have and being selfish…The illustrations are stunning, a vibrant colour scheme is interrupted only by the menacing black rain cloud. The hardback cover includes a pleasingly shiny umbrella and raindrops you can feel. – Books for Keeps A colourfully illustrated picture book that has a very short and simple story with a heart-warming theme of generosity at its core…The story invites you to explore kindness and altruism and would be perfect with young children for philosophical enquiry and PSHE. – English Association
Laleh Jaffari is an Iranian author, translator and TV director and has written over 25 children’s books. Ali Khodai has illustrated over 80 books and has won many national awards in his home country of Iran.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The elephant loved his umbrella. Whether it drizzled or poured, he’d open his umbrella and walk into the rain, proud to ask anybody he saw to join him under it. One day, when the elephant was sleeping, the wind swept his umbrella away and gave it to the leopard. As soon as the leopard saw the umbrella, he said, ‘What a lovely umbrella! Will you be mine?’ ‘If I become yours,’ asked the umbrella, ‘Where will you take me when it rains?’ ‘I’ll take you hunting with me!’ said the leopard proudly. ‘I’ll hunt anybody I see. And then I’ll sit under you and eat them.’ ‘No, no!’ replied the umbrella. ‘I’ll certainly not belong to you.’ And she chased after the wind calling, ‘Take me with you!’ The wind took the umbrella to the bear. As soon as the bear saw the umbrella, he said, “What a lovely umbrella! Will you be mine?” ‘If I become yours,’ asked the umbrella, ‘Where will you take me when it rains?’ ‘I’ll take you to the bees,’ said the bear. ‘I’ll take their honey. And then I’ll sit under you and eat all that honey by myself.’ ‘No, no!’ replied the umbrella. ‘I’ll certainly not belong to you.’ And she chased after the wind again. It was just starting to rain again and the umbrella looked everywhere for the elephant. She finally spotted him looking for her. She span over his head so he could see her. The elephant was overjoyed. He ran into the rain and asked anybody he saw to join him under his umbrella
