The Green Umbrella - by Jackie Azúa Kramer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A comical story of imagination and friendship--now available as a paperback!

Elephant is enjoying a peaceful walk with his green umbrella, when suddenly a Hedgehog says: I believe you have my boat. Elephant listens patiently as Hedgehog insists: I crossed deep oceans . . . tasted the salty spray of whales [in that umbrella-boat]. Cat, Bear, and Rabbit soon interrupt Elephant--each claiming that his umbrella is really their tent, flying machine, and cane. Elephant is flabbergasted--after all, it's an umbrella, and it certainly hasn't been on any adventures more exciting than a walk in the rain. Or has it?

Jackie Azúa Kramer and illustrator Maral Sassouni have created a gem in this fun read-aloud!

Praise for The Green Umbrella, hardcover edition

A 2017 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

Mom's Choice Award - Gold

A 2017 Parents' Choice Silver Honor

The lesson about sharing and generosity is elegantly wrapped around lovely language."--Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

"The repetition of the text, with the add-ons, the delightful illustrations, and the amusing characters all combine to make a sharable story, one filled with imagination and friendship."-- "Midwest Book Review"

"...kids won't realize how much they are learning, thinking, and developing--an instant favorite and must for every shelf."-- "Children's Literature Reviews"

"The Green Umbrella encourages the imagination in each of us, and our desire to share and make friends."-- "Kiss the Book"

"A sweet story of a blossoming friendship between five lovable and imaginative characters, united by one special green umbrella. I want to jump right in to the lush paintings and join in their fun!"--Lauren Castillo, Author/ Illustrator of Caldecott Honor Book "Nana in the City"

"The text provides just the right amount of tension and repetition to propel the story forward at a nice pace."-- "Booklist"

"Debut author Kramer's imagination-fueled encounter makes good use of fellow newcomer Sassouni's gift for conjuring up fairy-tale landscapes...And Kramer's storytelling passages sustain their lofty tone with no off notes--no easy task."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Illustrated in spreads that alternate the rainy-day narrative in vignettes with full-bleed spreads that allow the flight-of-fancy retellings to render a deeper mood, the animals' stories are delightfully descriptive...The lesson about sharing and generosity is elegantly wrapped around lovely language."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"There's no mistaking how easy it is to share this book."--Matthew Winner "All the Wonders Podcast"

"Whimsical and cartoonlike animals, depicted with a touch of vintage style, will delight readers as the story shows all the imaginative ways an umbrella can be used. The brightly colored acrylic illustrations complement the conversational text, which is suitable to read aloud to an audience... The author and illustrator work well together to deliver a charming tale of sharing, friendship, and adventure. An enjoyable rainy day read-aloud."-- "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Jackie Azúa Kramer was born in Manhattan, New York. Many lives ago Jackie was an actor, singer, and school counselor. Her work with children presented her with an opportunity to address their concerns, secrets, and hopes through storytelling.

Many of Jackie's best ideas happen in a bathtub full of bubbles. Jackie and her family live happily in Long Island, New York.

Maral Sassouni was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has been an illustrator for more than 20 years. In 2013 she won the SCBWI Portfolio Grand Prize. Her work was selected by the Society of Illustrators in New York (2014), and also honored by the 3x3 Picture Book Show in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Her art has been exhibited in group shows of children's illustration all over the world: in Sàrmede, Italy, for the Immagini della Fantasia exhibit (2011, 2012); in Mexico City, at the Museo Franz Mayer in conjunction with the IBBY Congress of 2014; in South Korea, at the 2013 Nami Island Illustration exhibit. Also in Geneva, at the United Nations Headquarters, and in Brussels, at the European Parliament.