The Umbrella - Review

The rainy days just won’t stop in this beautifully illustrated book written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Everything and everyone are gloomy. Except a young girl who must take her beloved pup for a walk, rain or shine. They take the rainy weather in stride. Taking cover under the awning of a second-hand store, the girl and pup decide to check out what’s inside and come across a rumpled yellow umbrella. It’s free! So they take it, but by the time they arrive back home, a trail of tatters is basically all that is left. But yet again, the young girl and her pup take this in stride, and manage to find an unexpected way to spread some light to the little town.

This book initially caught my attention because of Lichtenheld’s lovely illustrations which he created using pencils, watercolours, and a bit of Photoshop. The characters are very expressive while their facial features themselves are quite simplistic. The illustrations of the environment, from the town to the store, are delightful to take in. And since I work in a library, I was amused by the creative use of the copyright page, which features a dedication in memory of Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

Copyright Page of The Umbrella arranged to look like falling rain

The Umbrella by Beth Ferry is a whimsical story of curiosity and perseverance featuring a thoughtful main character and her adorable pup, all highlighted by charming illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld.

My Rating: 5/5

Originally Published: 2023

Author: Beth Ferry

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

Reading level: Ages 4-8