01/20/2020
“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
“When life gets hard or scary, there is always room under the love umbrella to feel safe and adored…[A] sweetly comforting story.” —School Library Journal
“With a comforting lilt, Bell narrates a message of unshakable connectedness and belonging…[A]n ageless reminder, tenderly composed.” —Publishers Weekly
“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
“Captivating neon illustrations add even more charm to this already delightful story. Under the Love Umbrella reminds children that comfort and love is ever-present, even when you are not near your family.”
“A truly charming book little ones will adore.”
“The enduring love between parent and child is celebrated in distinctive, vintage-inspired style…a meditation on parental love in all its forms, brought to life by a joyful neon palette.”
“A gorgeous book about the transformative power of family love in all its forms. Written in rhyming couplets, it reassures children that they are protected by an ‘umbrella’ of love wherever they go in the world and whatever they encounter…a truly beautiful book.”
“This brightly illustrated picture book is a celebration of the enduring love that surrounds your children, wherever they are in the world. The families we meet represent the wonderful diversity that make our world what it is and show that there is nothing to fear from differences. It is also a reminder to children that love is around them, especially in times of worry or fear. This book is suitable for new parents and babies, as well as for children embarking on big changes and adventures, who may benefit from this lovely reminder of the permanence of love.A beautiful message to share with young children.”
“The illustrations are very bright and I like that they embrace a diverse range of families and relationships…I think we should all remember that we have a “love umbrella”.”
“Bright, expressive and featuring joyfully diverse illustration throughout,Under the Love Umbrella provides poetic reassurance that whatever happens, children will be protected and loved. Perfect for sharing at bedtime with cuddles.”
‘I love it! I didn’t like anything the best — it’s all good. I like the illustrations. They are cool. I like the page with the umbrella made out of stars.’
Anorak - Benjamin (age 5)
01/01/2020
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
2019-10-09
"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 / To show it's you I'm thinking of / Wherever you might be." The first-person narrator, though never revealed, is clearly each loved one who shelters and soothes. The four children—Joe, Brian, Grace, and Izzy—are racially diverse, as are their families, and are introduced opposite the title page, giving readers a mission: to count the umbrellas they find (no answer is revealed). They face 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, but Bell may reach too far when she writes, "I will never not be near / Holding our love umbrella." For children whose caregivers are absent, for whatever reason, the titular concept may ring false or cause pain. Colpoys' striking illustrations, which combine an earth palette with day-glo highlights, effectively show love umbrellas both imagined (stars in the sky, a cloud) and real (a beach umbrella, a rain umbrella, a sun shade).
Less tangible than a kissing hand, though it may prove comforting for some. (Picture book. 3-7)
