Small Town Life

The Pink Umbrella by Amélie Callot and Geneviève Godbout, published by Tundra Books is an adorable little story perfect for a rainy day.  Now although Amélie Callot is a writer based in France, The Pink Umbrella is her first work translated to english by a Canadian translator and illustrated by a Canadian illustrator.  Also, the setting is very reminiscent of the many seaside and lakeside small towns her in Canada.  In my opinion that makes it a great little Canadian story.

Adele is a beloved member of her small community, as the owner of The Polka-Dot Apron café.  She always has time for her regulars and her café not only serves coffee and pastries but serves as a market, a cinema, and an event space.  Adele loves flowers and the sunshine and when the weather is fine.  However, when the weather is poor she completely loses her sparkle.  She closes down the café and spends those rainy days locked away under her covers to wait out the rain.  Until one day a beautiful pair of pink rain boots are left at The Polka-Dot Apron, then a rain jacket, and finally a pink polka dot umbrella.  The beautiful items inspire Adele to get outside on a rainy day.  You never know what will spark after the rain clears.

It's a gorgeous story, perfectly illustrated by Geneviève Godbout.  There is something so beautiful and simple about her art, it always makes me nostalgic and reminds me of simpler times.  The pastel and coloured pencil art has a grainy quality reminiscent of the days before everything was in HD and it fits this lovely story to a tea.  It's so perfectly airy and fresh.  You will want to grab a delicious cup of coffee and a croissant and curl up with your favourite little snuggler to just savour every page.