The Umbrella Party

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

The only present Christie wants for her birthday is umbrellas. Her
friends say umbrellas are stupid. Her mother warns that her wish may
come true. But Christie responds, “I love umbrellas more than anything
in the world,” and so she gets her wish. On her birthday, Christie
receives eight umbrellas. One is so small, it looks like a matchstick.
Another is so big, everyone can stand underneath it. One has flowers,
another has stripes. Christie thinks her gifts are wonderful. When the
party moves to the beach, everyone uses her umbrellas to stay out of the
hot sun. When a sudden storm hits, everyone huddles under her umbrellas
to keep dry. Christie’s birthday party is saved from ruin because
there are enough umbrellas for everyone.

This is a playful tale about a determined little girl who does not let
herself be talked out of a good time by her whimsy-challenged friends
and family. Even the most indulgent adult readers will sympathize with
Christie’s parents, who think their daughter is being just a little
obsessive. Younger readers will identify with Christie because they know
what it is like to have their desires questioned by people who think
they know better.

Kady MacDonald Denton’s comical illustrations resemble some of the
better New Yorker magazine cartoons. Highly recommended.