Suggested Read Aloud

Title: The Umbrella Author/Illustrator: Jan Brett Publisher: Scholastic, Inc., 2004

Carlos, a young boy, sets out into the cloud forest to find some beautiful animals. However, while he is atop a tree, he misses all the animals that come to play in the puddle that forms in his umbrella. First to land in the umbrella is a tiny tree frog, followed by a colorful toucan, a furry kinkajou, a baby tapir, a beautiful quetzal, a frisky monkey, a frightening jaguar and last but certainly not least, a petite hummingbird. Ironically, the hummingbird is what sends all the animals over the edge of the umbrella! As the animals scurry to find a new resting spot, Carlos finally comes down from his tree, having missed all the commotion and vowing to come back tomorrow. Parents: This is a great book to read aloud to your child, especially if he or she is just beginning to learn the English language. With its vivid illustrations and detailed descriptions, children can follow along with the pictures as you read the words to them. The Umbrella is a great way to trigger your child's imagination and introduce them to the magical world of animals! Teachers: This story provides great reading strategies. The pictures on the sides of the pages allow students to make predictions, along with the detailed illustrations that support the text. The different sounds these animals make are shown and help English Language Learners learn new vocabulary. Occasional Spanish phrases, along with the English translation, engage both Spanish and English speakers. As you read and reread The Umbrella, your students can act out some of the different events that take place in this wonderful story. Personal Note: I chose this story because it engages readers of all levels and provides a great way for Spanish speaking students to see their language being used and valued. When I read it aloud to my students, they are curious to see the beautiful pictures in the margins to help them depict what just happened and what is yet to come!