Sonderbooks Book Review of Yellow Umbrella

Reviewed 03/03/03.
Kane/Miller Book Publishers, La Jolla, California, 2002. 32 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (E LIU).

This picture book isn’t quite like any other we have in the library. The book has no words. Each two-page spread shows an overhead picture of a child with a yellow umbrella walking to school. In each new picture, another child-with-umbrella joins on the walk. They go past houses, over a bridge, through a playground, by a fountain, down stairs, and across a street.

What makes the book unique is the accompanying CD. A musical composition, also without words describes the journey. The effect is lovely, with the tinkling piano giving us the feeling of the rain falling on the umbrellas. Pauses in the music let you know when to turn the page.

Also on the CD is the main theme from the composition, with words put to it about an umbrella. My one complaint is that on the CD the song is sung in Korean. The English words and music are given, but it would have been nice if they had added an English track to the CD for the American market.

All in all, though, this is a beautiful book set to music. Definitely worth checking out and treating yourself and your child to a very different picture book experience.

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

****Yellow Umbrella*

by Jae Soo Liu

Music by Dong Il Sheen