A fantasy tale about kindness and forgiveness is the debut picture book “Umbrella” by the Guatemalan-born author and illustrator Elena Arevalo Melville. This book review contains spoilers. Clara is a primary-age girl who feels lonely because of the absence of friends. Otherwise, ‘the park would have been perfect ….’ Until she discovers a magical umbrella that brings joy to her…

“Gina from Siberia” is written by the American mother and daughter team – Jane Bernstein and Charlotte Glynn. Jane Bernstein is the receiver of two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships in Creative Writing, and Charlotte Glynn is a filmmaker. The spectacular pictures created by Anna Desnitskaya, a Russian illustrator nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, enhance the book’s…

“The Secret Sky Garden” (2018, Simon & Schuster) is the creation of the team Linda Sarah and Fiona Lumbers. A book about making a difference in the world by creating something beautiful – a garden that leads to unique friendship. Funni is a girl who loves to spend her time in ‘the old airport car park’. She goes there with…

Kathryn Cave delivers a simple yet original story about Something Else, who lives “on a windy hill alone with nothing to be friends with.” He tries hard to be accepted but experiences disappointments until he meets Something – a creature even more peculiar than himself. “Something Else “ (1995, Puffin Books) brought much acclaim to the British children’s author, who…