Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"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.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
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
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Readers follow four children through difficult times as the unnamed narrator describes the "love umbrella" that is above each of them. "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 childrenJoe, Brian, Grace, and Izzyare 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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
