The Big Umbrella

The Big Umbrella (2018), written by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates and illustrated by Amy June Bates, follows a large, friendly umbrella waiting by the door on a rainy day. When it is opened, it begins sheltering people from the rain. As more individuals approach, the umbrella welcomes them beneath its wide canopy, regardless of their ages, appearances, abilities, or backgrounds. Animals and unusual characters also find space under it. The story focuses on the umbrella’s growing ability to offer protection and comfort to everyone who needs it. Through this simple situation, the narrative presents a welcoming community in which differences are accepted and no one is turned away. The umbrella becomes a symbol of hospitality, cooperation, and the importance of making room for others.