The blue umbrella

When the doorbell rings, a little girl opens the door and finds a small blue umbrella with a note saying, "For you." Though no rain is expected, when she goes outside with her mother, raindrops begin to fall. The umbrella keeps the girl dry, but Mom is getting wet, so she picks up her daughter and shelters under the blue umbrella. Magically, it grows a little bigger. Walking through a park, they invite others to join them. Each time, the umbrella enlarges, until it protects dozens of people who, by sharing food and stories, become friends. When the sun comes out, they don't even notice, and in the future, they gather in the park, planting and tending a garden for all to share. While the idea of a magical umbrella isn't new, it's nicely carried out in Davison's buoyant narrative, where the girl tells how her umbrella drew strangers together, creating a happy community of friends. Abe's attractive digital art uses light, patterns, and color effectively, creating scenes with varied perspectives within this sweet picture book.

An umbrella offers shelter and fun on a rainy day. A mysterious blue umbrella arrives, addressed to a child who presents as Asian, with black hair and tan skin. The child takes it out on a walk with Mom. Unexpected rain falls, and though the umbrella seems far too small, the protagonist manages to share it with Mom. Soon they invite parkgoers to take shelter. Picnicking families, soccer players, a dog owner, a punk rocker, and others--diverse in terms of skin tone, hair texture, and age--laugh, talk, and stay dry together under the umbrella, which somehow expands to shelter all. When the sun comes out, the people leave feeling changed, having shared a moment of wonder, and go on to create a community garden ("a place for everyone"). The digital artwork done in a pastel palette plays with perspective and point of view. While Abe uses simple shapes, there's a specificity to each person that makes the individual unique and interesting. The appealing illustrations will make readers want to join in the party and become part of this vibrant, welcoming community. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An accessible approach to inclusion, sharing, and community building. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.