Umbrella

Title: Umbrella

Author: Taro Yashima

Genre: Fiction

ages: 5-8

Summary: A little girl named Momo received a pair of red rain boots and an umbrella for her birthday, but could not use them because it would not rain. Finally, one day Momo awoke to rain and she walked to school using her rain boots and umbrella. As an adult she does not remember it now.

About the author: Taro Yashima, whose give name was Jun Atsushi Iwamatsu was born on September 21, 1908. She later in life became very sick and wrote books for her daughter about her childhood. 

Skill/Theme: Childhood

Pre-reading activity: What is the first thing you want to do with your birthday gift? How would you feel if you couldnt do that right away? When would you use it? Look at the cover of the book and have the students predict what the story will be about. 

Post-reading activity: Color in a picture of Momo wearing her rain boots and umbrella. Cut out the picture. Draw a scene on a plain piece of paper in which she would need her umbrella and rain boots. Glue the picture of Momo onto it. 

This book is a great book representing other cultures with a great story behind it.