Member Reviews

My Little Green Umbrella is a beautiful little story about the power of imagination. Gorgeous whimsical illustrations help tell the story of a little girl who buys a green umbrella that she uses to embark on make-believe adventures. When she is too old to play pretend, her son picks up the umbrella to go on his own adventures.

This story made me think of Toy Story, The Giving Tree, and the Velveteen Rabbit. One of my 4-year-olds loved the images of the little girl dressed as a princess floating away with the umbrella, while her twin sister loved how she used the umbrella to battle squirrel enemies. (That pretty much tracks with their personalities ; ).

Thank you Netgalley and Outskirtspress for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This children’s picture book is a sweet story about childhood, love, imagination, growing up, security, happiness, and ultimately, the circle of live. I enjoyed it very much.
This book deeply touched my heart as I reminisced about cherished childhood treasures that once again became treasures as I reached late adulthood. It gave me the reassurance that once something found its’ way to your heart, it remained there for the rest of your life, even if you forgot about it for a while.
The illustrations were beautiful, creative, and soothing. They reminded me of many of the illustrations in my favorite childhood books. The font was charming and reminded me of a fairy tale.
I think that any child ages toddler to early elementary would love this book! It would make a beautiful addition to any home, preschool, or elementary classroom. We must continue to encourage our children to use their imaginations.

I want to thank Author Sandy Little, Illustrator Tom Lintern, Outskirts Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

this story is like a classic, and the transparent watercolor illustrations supported it. i felt like i'm reading my mother's book when she was a child. but story-wise it was a little bit confusing because i thought the boy was the girl's kid but apparently he's not??? but IDK i think children will enjoy it without objection.

Was this review helpful?

A magical adventure through childhood eyes that reminds us of all the possibilities of imagination.

A child’s imagination can turn almost anything into everything. A bike into a unicorn, a stick into a sword, an umbrella into a boat. My Little Green Umbrella tells the story of an umbrella that becomes important to generations of children that lets them be free to face adventures yet unknown.

I’ve just read a very similar book about a bike that lets the imagination soar. This little green umbrella reminded me of that story that I was very fond of. My Little Green Umbrella is another fantastic view into a child’s mind that is so extraordinary that it can make even an umbrella into something more than just a device to keep you dry.

Sometimes I miss the way I used to play and imagine things. These little stories remind me of times when I was free of judgement – my own and from the outside world. I would like to have a little piece of that child back, especially to share it with my own child. I like to read these kinds of books to my child because I, myself, enjoy them. Also, I want to keep their inner child alive as long as possible.

Was this review helpful?

My Little Green Umbrella opens with a little girl and her mom in a thrift store, this little girl asks if the umbrella can come home with them. It does. From there we see the adventures that a little green umbrella can provide.

This was quite a cute little story about an umbrella, sure, but it's also the story of children's imaginations. Similarly to how we can give a kid a new toy and they play with the shipping box it came in instead. For hours. It also touches on family, and how the things we purchase can stay with us and be passed from generation to generation. Lastly, how things we own can continue to have purpose even as the decades go by.

I am probably reading into it too much, and it simply is just a story of children and their umbrellas, but I did truly enjoy this little read. I'd definitely recommend it to those with small children. The art style was also lovely and very fitting to the story.

*I was given a copy of this title via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

My Little Green Umbrella by Sandy Little is a beautiful and unique children's book. A book about a particular object that becomes something special to a little girl and her family over the years.

There's a sense of nostalgia when reading this book, and I felt emotional reading it. It was terrific, and I also know this will be a timeless book that will be added to many collections.

I would love to have this book in my classroom and read it to my young students! I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you #NetGalley for a digital arc of this book.

'My Little Green Umbrella' is a sweet story with a peaceful illustration style in a very naturalistic color palette. The story touches on imagination and shared adventures, and I can see how it might be sentimentally appealing for adults to read to their children.

I enjoyed the illustrations and some of the more creative moments, however I sighed at the repetitive theme that only children have "imaginative powers" and disliked the adult-oriented sentimentality. I can see adults reading and gifting this book, but I'm not sure of its appeal for child readers.

Was this review helpful?

My Little Green Umbrella is a story of imagination and focuses on how an everyday object is not only useful but can encourage imaginative play through generations.

A young girl finds a green umbrella and discovers a great new toy that opens the door to her imagination. After the girl grows up the umbrella is forgotten and lonely. A boy then picks it up and has adventures of his own before he too grows up. The umbrella is again lonely until it is found again and cherished by both the girl and the boy who have now grown so much older.

This book was cute, but I probably won’t buy it for myself. It reminds me of a less sad version of “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. And I’ve always thought that book was problematic. Unfortunately, my mom misread my 5-year-old distress as tenderheartedness and I have been presented with many copies of it throughout my life. I digress.

My Little Green Umbrella does not have the toxic co-dependency of the tree or the selfishness of the boy. The kids simply grew up and the umbrella was forgotten. Which also bothers me. Useful items are rarely left alone for so long, but that’s my practicality shining through.

The consciousness of the umbrella is also confusing. It doesn’t seem to be anything other than an object until it is left in the closet where it begins to feel lonely. Maybe if the umbrella was waiting for someone to pick it up at the beginning of the story or it was clearly more engaged in the play instead of the use of inactive participation.

Overall, it’s cute and is useful for helping inspire kids’ imaginative play in an age where screen based activities prevail.

Was this review helpful?

When a little girl finds an umbrella, she never expected it to become her new friend.

It is difficult to write a review on a story so short without giving away spoilers. However, my daughter and I read this book together and we both loved it. The story is so heartwarming, it literally brought me to tears. More than once. I absolutely adored this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

4.2 Stars
My Little Green Umbrella is a cute book about the adventures a little girl has when she finds a green umbrella. She grows older and forgets about the umbrella. A little boy comes across it and has his share of adventures until he is no longer a kid. The umbrella feels sad and forgotten for a few years. But then, an old lady picks it up, and the umbrella recognizes the voice.
This is a cute and heartwarming story about the journey and adventure called life. It shows how we grow and change over the years, but our favorites still hold a special place in our lives.
The illustrations reminded me of my textbooks as a kid. Some pages have only illustrations, which makes the book even better. The old-fashioned sketching is similar the comic books (though the text is written in nice and big letters).
My Little Green Umbrella is a warm and cozy book for people of all ages. I feel adults might enjoy it more because of the nostalgic vibes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Outskirtspress, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Was this review helpful?

Reminiscent of the theme of Robert Munsch’s I’ll Love You Forever or Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, this is the story of a green umbrella which transports a young girl to magical places. As she grows older it gets put at the back of a closet until her young son discovers it and gets transported to magical places when he plays with it, but he too grows old and puts the umbrella away, only to rediscover it when his mother is elderly. Although it no longer stops the rain and brings out the sunshine, the two are still able to enjoy it. Little’s text and Tom Lintern’s soft pastel-colored illustrations combine to make it a wonderful story. I read children’s picture books to residents in a memory care home, and they loved the story and the message of imagination and love.

Was this review helpful?

A cute story about an umbrella that becomes a favorite toy for a girl and much later for her son.
I am not that sure what this story was supposed to tell me but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I really liked the illustrations in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I DIDNT EXPECT A PICTURE BOOK TO MAKE MY EYES TEAR UP

Every once in a while, I’ll remember how much I loved it when my parents read books to me, and so I’ll pick up a little picture book and read it, and it’s oddly comforting.

I loved the art style of this book. Little-kid me would have loved it too. I then would have become obsessed with green umbrellas. Which would have given my mom a heart attack since at the time I was also obsessed with my lime-green closet.

I think this was a cute story, it’s books like this that make me want kids, so I can read it to them.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was super cute ! I really liked this book. It was very sweet and super easy to read. Loved the progression of the story as well. Great for any age.

The pictures were wonderful and I loved all the soft colors.

Overall, I would love to read more by this author.

Was this review helpful?

Only through a child’s imagination can something become more. Children do have great imaginations that are far and above anything an adult could ever understand. And it’s the two kids in this story who understand and prove what the umbrella can truly do.
Really love the story and the graphics, too.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Was this review helpful?

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

My Little Green Umbrella by Sandy Little was a sweet little picture book about imagination and growing up. It gave me "Giving Tree" vibes without being quite as sad. The illustrations were lovely and cozy. Would definitely be a great one to add to any collection!

Was this review helpful?

About imagination and creativity - but it's also a little stereotyped (boy and girl)

The book "My Little Green Umbrella" is a charming story about children's imagination and creativity - with lovely illustrations. A young girl discovers a small green umbrella and promptly forgets about it as she grows older. However, he is rediscovered by a young boy. Both experience their own adventures with the little green umbrella. There's also a unique ending.

Regrettably, I think the story is very stereotypical. This book will appeal to anyone who can accept the fact that girls have "classic" girl adventures while boys have "classic" boy adventures.

Was this review helpful?

In a thrift shop, a young girl finds a lovely green umbrella. When opened, it takes her on adventures across the ocean and sky. But the fun can't last forever as everyone grows up and forgets their old possessions.

This is a sweet story with some simple magic and whimsy, then an endearing ending. The whole book is reminiscent of Toy Story. It's fast-paced, making it good for younger readers.

Throughout, there is a mix of small and full-page stylised watercolour illustrations. They are beautiful but do look washed out and 'old' in comparison to other new releases (such as in a library).

The topic and writing style make this ideal for reading to four to ten-year-olds. From the vocabulary used and how much of it is phonetically decodable, a child would be about eight years old to read this independently or with minimal support. This would be ideal as a prompt for a school lesson, such as a writing task.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My Little Green Umbrella by Sandy Little is an emotional children's picture book that will teach kids about kindness and friendship. It reminded me a bit of The Giving Tree, which was one of my favorite children's picture books! The story revolves around a little girl and her magic green umbrella. As she grows up, the umbrella accompanies her on many adventures, but will it eventually become forgotten and thrown away?

Overall, My Little Green Umbrella is a lovely children's picture book that will definitely appeal to fans of The Giving Tree. One highlight of this book is the absolutely amazing artwork. The illustrations are classic and reminded me of the amazing illustrations from Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz. You should check out this book for the art alone. I also enjoyed the story though. If you're intrigued by the description, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

Was this review helpful?

I can imagine this book being given as a gift, but not necessarily chosen by a child themself at a store or library. It is a sentimental tale of imagination, love, and growing older that is indeed very sweet, but didn’t hold my attention the way I had hoped it would. It’s simple story paired with the older looking illustrations don’t stand out to me in todays kid lit world.

Was this review helpful?