The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates

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The book was written by Amy June Bates. A good reference book to learn about self acceptance. 

Summary

In the tradition of Alison McGhee’s Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance.

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.

Don’t worry that there will be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

The illustration is amazing and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain. [1]

Pros

School Library Journal gave the review about this book. They mention that this sweet extended metaphor uses an umbrella to demonstrate how kindness and inclusion work. The big umbrella waits by the door with a smile. “It is a big, friendly umbrella. It likes to help.” It’s a rainy day and help is welcome, so the umbrella, once opened, provides shelter to all comers. First to its owner, and then to a ballerina, a dog, a skater, a monster there is no limit to how many can fit under its widespread arms. Some people worry that there won’t be enough room under the big umbrella. But the amazing thing is there is always room for everyone. Bates’s signature sketchy watercolors begin the story on the endpapers with a downpour and heavy, wet clouds. The muted colors of the rainy cityscape give contrast to the smiling red umbrella and the folks it is protecting. Every page is lighter than the one before until the sun is out, and a final spread opens to show just how much room left. Bates and her young daughter thought up the idea for this story during a rain storm. The message is direct but not didactic, useful in discussion about classroom and family attitudes, community building and kindness in general, not to mention helpful for discussion about the recent political climate. Super lovely addition to any library collection, for classroom use or for sharing at home. [2]

References