Umbrella

New York, NY: Viking Books for Young Readers, 1958. Hard cover. Good. No dust jacket. Signed by previous owner. Hardcover CONDITION GOOD SIGNED BY PREVIOUS OWNER ON COVER IN PEN-COPYRIGHT 1986 Momo can't wait to use the red boots and umbrella she received on her birthday. All she needs now is a rainy day! Soft... Yashima, Taro. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. Picture book. With dust jacket. 48 p. Contains: Illustrations. Viking Kestrel Picture Books. Audience: Children/juvenile. Umbrella BY TARO YASHIMA PUBLISHED BY THE VIKING PRESS-Hardcover CONDITION GOOD SIGNED BY PREVIOUS OWNER on cover-COPYRIGHT 1986 Momo can't wait to use the red boots and umbrella she received on her birthday. All she needs now is a rainy day! Soft illustrations portray a thoughtful story about patience and growing independence. Originally published in 1958, UMBRELLA is the story of a young girl, Momo, who receives an umbrella and red rubber boots for her third birthday. Momo is as impatient as her parents are insistent that her new presents be saved for a rainy day--not a sunny day or a windy day! In addition to telling a story of a preschooler's impatience and eagerness, the story also tells of a child's growing independence. With the rain comes an opportunity for Momo to grow and mature. "The street was crowded and noisy, but she whispered to herself, `I must walk straight, like a grown-up lady! '" (18). Momo also shows signs of becoming more responsible, "She did not forget her umbrella when her father came to take her home. She used to forget her mittens or her scarf so easily--but not her umbrella" (24). The story concludes with this memorable note, "It was not only the first day in her life that she used her umbrella, it was also the first day in her life that she walked alone, without holding either her mother's or her father's hand" (32). Taro Yashima was a gifted author and illustrator. Both text and illustrations are memorable.