
Age Group: Under 5 Years
Author: Ingrid Schubert
Author: Dieter Schubert
Publisher: Lemniscaat USA
No. of Pages: 40
Type: Picture Book
Format: Hardcover
Size: 23.52 x 0.99 x 29.79 cm
About the book
A little dog finds an umbrella in the garden on a windy day. The moment the dog picks up the umbrella, it catches the wind and pulls the dog skywards. This is the start to fantastic journey around the world. The wind carries the umbrellas and the dog all over the world, from the desert to the sea, from the jungle to the north pole.
The Authors
Ingrid and Dieter Schubert were born in Germany. Together they’ve created dozens of books for children which are available in 21 languages. They are among the most successful illustrators in The Netherlands and their work has been exhibited all over the world.
Synopsis from Scholastic Australia
This delightful, wordless book tracks the magical journey of a small dog and a red umbrella.
It’s a windy, autumn day when a Highland terrier discovers a bright red umbrella in the woods. The umbrella, like a magic carpet, whirls him up into the air and sails him across the world, over continents and oceans, the tropics and polar regions. With each turn of the page the reader is invited into a new panoramic landscape with its unique mix of flora and fauna.
The illustrations have the liveliness and vigour of the gusty wind that propels the little dog over the Earth. Throughout, it's the character of the little dog that is the focus of the story. It is he who introduces the marvels of the world to the reader, just as he is a marvel to the creatures he discovers. His expressive face and his humorous predicaments are the narrative behind the detailed and beautiful illustrations.
Review from Outside in World
There is so much for children to find hidden in the illustrations: as the dog walks through the clouds they loom up in the form of animal shapes, or a large snake can be found hidden amongst a group of alligators with the trunk of an elephant reaching towards him from the side of the page. The illustrations often take on different perspectives too. Sometimes the dog is central in the foreground, while at other times he is merely a speck in the sky.
The Umbrella is a gorgeous book that can be looked at again and again because there will always be something new and different to discover. Children can have fun making up their own story as they immerse themselves in the lavish artwork following the little dog on his journey.
Analysis for the Picture Book Creator
I have a love for wordless picture books as they stoke the imagination of the readers so much! They allow readers to be part of the creation. Here are some storytelling techniques to consider.
Writing Prompts (choose one)
✍️ 1. An object that takes you away: Choose one ordinary object (a kite, a boot, a sock, a map). Tell a story in under 120 words where the object unexpectedly takes your character on a journey to 3 different places. No names. Each setting must evoke a different feeling.
✍️ 2. A story told without words: Write a scene using only sound words, actions, and descriptions (no dialogue or thoughts). Your character moves from one strange place to another using a magical object. Limit your piece to 6 sentences. Use at least 3 different action verbs.
Illustration Prompts (choose one)
🎨 1. A journey in 3 stops: Draw 3 connected scenes where your character travels through completely different landscapes (e.g., desert → underwater → jungle). Use one object (like a scarf or shadow) that appears in all 3 and visually links the pages.
🎨 2. The same place, twice: Draw the same place twice. first as it is normally, and again as it’s changed after something magical happens (e.g., an umbrella lands, animals appear, the sky flips). Keep the composition identical but change only 5 visual elements (like color, creatures, or weather).
Happy Creating!