Under the Love Umbrella

PreS-Gr 2--When life gets hard or scary, there is always room under the love umbrella to feel safe and adored. As the four protagonists of this soothing picture book face common childhood tribulations--deepest dark, friends not sharing, broken toys, wet pants, rushing parents--they are reminded that any problem faced "disappears in a big old flurry/Under the love umbrella." The lilting rhyming text, with four or fewer lines per page, makes this a solid choice for reading aloud to a group. The neon color palette, saturated in oranges, yellows, pinks, and purples, creates a sense of vibrancy and energy. The colors form an interesting contrast with the artistic style, with no dark outlines and minimal or blurred details creating a soft and gentle feel. The combination of text and illustrations create an overall work that is soothing, reminding readers that love extends across distances and has the power to quiet all worries. The four protagonists are ethnically diverse, and crowd scenes show a rich array of background characters. The final note encourages children to consider the power of their own love as they are asked, "Who's under your Love Umbrella?" VERDICT This sweetly comforting story is recommended for general purchase and well suited to storytime.--Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL

"Up in the sky, among the stars/ There's something you might not see.../ But over your head and just above/ There's an umbrella of my love" begins this import, a gentle poem of affirmation. With a comforting lilt, Bell narrates a message of unshakable connectedness and belonging. Four children (named on the title page but not otherwise referenced) are shown in uncomfortable or uncertain circumstances--"Your pants are wet/ You're meant to hurry"--all dissipated by a caretaker's "love umbrella." Colpoys's painterly yet understated illustrations--in a palette of lilacs, fluorescent oranges and pinks, and earth tones--render characters, alone and in community, in a range of skin tones. For an amusing plus, the authors invite readers to seek and find umbrellas throughout the pleasing spreads. An ageless reminder, tenderly composed. Ages 3-6. (Jan.)

"Scary shadows, friends that don't share, shyness, moving, and such everyday childhood issues as wet pants, a lost tooth, and a parent's rushing them. No worry can last under a love umbrella...Colpoys' striking illustrations, which combine an earth palette with day-glo highlights, effectively show love umbrellas both imagined and real." —Kirkus Reviews

"This is a book that has it all-a beautiful message with amazing illustrations. This story is all about the "love umbrella" that someone has for another person...We see children experiencing loneliness at being left out on the playground, sadness because of a broken toy, nervous about an upcoming event, embarrassed that they wet their pants, and scared because of a bad dream...It reminds me of The Kissing Hand in that a loved one is reminding a child that they are there for them and they should never feel alone...[A] great tool to talk about feelings." —Youth Services Book Review

"A sweet and beautifully illustrated book about love and family."—Baby Librarians

"Contemporary yet classic-feeling illustrations, a simple and resonant message. Charming!" —Jessica Peterson White, Bookseller Review, Content Book Store