Amélie CallotRezensionen

Oh my goodness. I want this book. Oh I want this book so so much.

It's SO sweet. In large part, I chalk that up to Genevieve Godbout's illustrations. They are my absolute favorite. I love the character of Adele that she brought to life. I love how Adele owns a shop in her small town and is a ray of light to people. I appreciated the subtle hints to seasonal affective disorder and how she longs for sun.....but a friend's kindness of pink rain boots, a rain coat, and a beautiful umbrella, help her find some happiness.

Oh seriously, this book is a must own for me. SO glad it has been translated from French into English!

Adele is the sweet owner of The Polka-Dot Apron café, a gathering place for locals to not only grab a bite to eat but also a location for other important town activities, like the weekly fresh produce market on Wednesdays. Everyone loves Adele because she is so kind-spirited and exudes such warmth and energy. But everyone also knows that Adele doesn't like the rain and her mood dampens whenever it arrives. So imagine her surprise when one perfectly lovely, sunny market Wednesday, Adele finds a pair of pink rainboots left behind that just happen to fit her perfectly ... followed by a pink raincoat the following week ... and then a pink umbrella the week after! Who is the source of these unexpected items?

I'm not sure that I expected to ever find a romance between two adults in a children's picture book, let alone one so well done and enjoyable. This book is perfectly lovely, a pinch of real sugar and nothing saccharine. While adults will clearly recognize a romantic gesture, youngsters might simply take away an act of kindness in giving back to those who give so much. Either is a good message. The gentle illustrations fit the story and whimsical tone of the book perfectly. As this book is a tad bit on the longer side, I would suggest it's better for elementary school-age children than preschoolers.

The Pink Umbrella is a beautiful story about a woman named Adele. She runs the cafe in a small village. She is the sun in the village, which is appropriate because she does not like it when it rains. Sometimes, she does not even get out of bed on dismal, gray, rainy days. One day someone leaves her pink boots, then a pink raincoat and finally a pink umbrella to help her deal with the rainy days. The illustrations are wonderfully done, almost like a water wash with muted tones and shades of pink along with other primary colours. The expressions on the character's faces show what they are feeling, especially towards Adele. The story shows how friendship is important and grows with thoughtfulness. The only thing I did not like about this book was the first part. It seemed to take a long time to introduce the characters and the village. This story would not work well with young children, but definitely late primary would enjoy it and understand the message of kindness, thoughtfulness and caring about others and your friends. A good addition to a school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

A super sweat story with lovely illustrations about Adele a cafe owner in a small village. I would hang some of these pages on my walls if I could. Not only are the illustrations beautiful they are very emotive. The story is one of love and caring and helping others overcome the unpleasant things in their lives. There is a subtle romance in the book, one that is charming and true. The kind of romance between two friend you might find in real life. A romance that might go unnoticed by the youngest readers, but will put a smile in the hearts of adult readers.

"For the villagers, the cafe is a refuge, a small lantern always lit... The cafe is the heart of the village.And Adele is the heart of the cafe. She is the village's sun - lively, sweet and sparkling."

I highly recommend this book, and hope to see a trend of books like this.

This is the story of Adele, a woman who owns a cafe in a small town and loves the sunshine. On rainy days she often has trouble getting out of the house. As a mystery person, strongly suspected to be Lucas, the grocer who sets up shop at her cafe on Wednesdays, leaves her boots, a raincoat, and an umbrella in her favorite color, she learns to see the beauty in rainy days.

When I first read the book, I thought that it was intended more for older readers than younger readers, but upon further readings, it will work for both, although each would probably take something totally different away from the book. Where the adult will see budding romance, children will see friendship. Where the more mature reader might see depression, a young reader will just see a dreary day.

The illustrations are quite beautiful. They are very soft, yet still incredibly detailed for those who want to take the time to look. I found the book as a whole to draw me back again, and would recommend it.

'...and Adele is the heart of the cafe. She is the village's sun - lively, sweet and sparkling"

The engaging, lyrical story of Adele, the village's sun, and her dislike of rain. The paintings in this book are gorgeous, and are unique in the ocean of illustrations being published in children's books today.

The story is sweet and romantic, the illustrations soft and lovely, I really loved this book.

This would be a great gift book, one that would be cherished for years.
*eARC Netaglley*

Unlike some Early Reviewer books, I've returned to this one many times since it first arrived.

The adjectives practically list themselves: it's hard to discuss this book without naming it charming, lovely, delightful, etc. The illustrations truly make it something special, and the story itself deals gently with common--if complicated-- situations. Adele doesn't want to get out of bed when it rains-- many can relate! And her growing relationship with the grocer who supplies produce and flowers, while certainly an overarching theme, does not turn it into a romance story primarily. In fact, the two are described as friends, though one leaves with the impression that more may transpire-- innocently, of course :)

While large and somewhat long compared to some picture books, this is not intended solely for adults. It is a good example of a picture book that will bridge the interests of adults and children alike.

I thought it was interesting that this book talked about weather/seasonal depression, but kind of hated that they went with the completely stereotypical 'pink' as the curative for this lady in the book. It's a cute book, with great illustrations, just that one thing kind of irked me a bit about it.

Long for a picture book, but such a sweet story½

This is a beautifully illustrated book. I treasure it because of the lovely, sweet story and the pictures are just wonderful. Although this is a picture book, I would say it would be more interesting for older children and not preschool age.
Adele owns a little shop in town and takes very good care of her customers. She is kind and generous, but when it rains, she loses her spirit. This was a cute story of early love. The book is originally published in French, but was translated in English.
I received a complimentary copy from Librarything Early Reviewers.

This lovely book was originally published in French in 2016 in Canada.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. The story is beautiful and well written with text that simply flows with an enthralling story-telling style. The illustrations are very well done and capture the essence of the story and the mood of the main character, Adele.

The story of Adele and her lovely cafe that is a charming community gathering place speaks to small town or village living and the kindness and gracious friendship that one finds in small towns.

First of all, pink is a theme that is consistently at the forefront. Pink is a "feminine" color and Adele is a lovely lady. Secondly, Adele's charm and friendliness are portrayed in every bit of the story. Thirdly, the friendship that is evident as well as hidden is sweet and understated. And fourth, Adele has a problem that needs addressing and her friend is aware and silently pursues helping her.

While this is a children's picture book, it is somewhat longer that the norm. And while dealing with depression brought on by the weather is typically not something one would encounter in a children's book, inclusion of this problem in a children's book enables the child to become aware that some people are affected. There is nothing analytical in the book, it is just something Adele deals with and of which her friend is aware. Hence, the pink boots, the pink raincoat, and the pink umbrella.

The "depression factor" doesn't need to be stressed as the book is read to a child. This is simply a part of Adele that the author brings out.

I personally really love the book in its entirety. I see no difficulties in reading it to children four years and up. It is a good book for library or classroom read-aloud sessions as well as in-home reading.

DISCLOSURE: I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.com. While not required to review, I felt I wanted to share my thoughts on the book which I am freely doing.

A purely delightful story of Adele and her Polka-Dot Apron Cafe. If Adele is the heart of the village her cafe is the meeting place. Open seven days a week, the cafe serves as cinema, market and meeting hall as well as dispensing food. Adele adores the sunshine and it is easy to see that Lucas, who brings the flowers for the cafe, adores her.
But the rain makes Adele so glum, she even closes the cafe.
Pink boots, that mysteriously appear, and that fit Adele perfectly plus a pink raincoat and of course a pink polka-dot umbrella bring the sunshine back even on a rainy day.
Beautifully illustrated pictures add even more charm to this book.
Read as an Arc from LibraryThing.

This book called to me with its bright cover and adorable illustrations. This artist also did the illustrations for another children's book that I really enjoyed recently and this one did not disappoint either. The book is about a woman that runs a cafe and loves it. She has regular customers that she loves to share her days with but one thing she really dislikes is rainy days.

Weird things start to appear at the cafe all for rainy weather and she finds herself confused and interested in what is happening and who left the items. The book is an adorable tale about love and it was beautifully done. While I think the colors and the story is wonderful as a children's story, I think it will also touch the hearts of the parents reading it as well.

This is a beautiful hardcover book with wonderful illustrations. I love the thoughtfulness of neighbors and friends and the importance of community. The pink throughout is so cheery and the setting with a cafe, and market is something that will transport kids to another place. I cannot wait to share this book with some of my elementary students at school. This makes me want to take a spring trip to France to enjoy life with Adele and her small town.

The illustrations get an A+, they are full of warm colors children will enjoy and have an interesting "rough" quality as if done expertly with crayon or charcoal. The story itself is quite sweet. I appreciated how it communicates what a joy it is to be in community with your neighbors and be a hostess--passing your joy onto others (the main character enthusiastically owns a cafe). There is also a theme about not loving the rain but finding its charm anyways through being prepared. It was hard to see how the two themes flowed together fluidly, and the answer (getting rain boots and an umbrella) could have been more significant (finding things to love about the rain itself for instance, like mud puddles, rainbows, and the way it makes the world sparkle like diamonds). 4 stars--a cute attempt, some lack in the quality of the writing.

Adele runs a little café in a tiny village. Everyone is a regular and Adele loves them all. The flower seller, Lucas, brings her flowers to choose for her tables and vegetables to create meals. The only thing that upsets Adele is rain. Rain depresses her so much that she closes the café and crawls into bed, staying there until the sun returns. One day as she is closing the shop, she finds someone has left a pair of pink rain boots – that fit her perfectly. No one claims them. A pink raincoat that also fits her perfectly – and then – a pink polka-dotted umbrella follow this. She cannot resist trying out this rain outfit discovering that she really does like the rain. Finding Lucas stuck out in the rain, she knows he is the one who has given her the gifts. The pink-filled colored pencil illustrations are so delicate and so very emotionally sweet.

I adored this picture book! The illustrations are GORGEOUS and the story is soo cute! It's a bit longer than your average picture book clocking in at about 80 pages, but there is never more than a sentence or two per page. It's full of whimsy and charm and readers will love following Adele enjoy her daily routine. Adele runs a cafe called The Polka Dot Apron and it is the hub of the town, people love coming in and visiting her. She is a happy and cheerful person, that is, until it rains. Every time it rains it puts Adele in a downcast mood, until someone starts leaving her little surprises to help her combat the weather. Utterly charming and delightful, a real treat!

The Pink Umbrella by Amelie Callot is a sweet story about Adele. Adele is the shop owner of The Polka-Dot Apron, a cafe that is as cheerful as Adele.

Pink is a happy color and everything about this book is pink, except when it rains. But readers will soon discover that even when it rains, life can be happy.

This is a whimsical story with absolutely lovely illustrations.

Très aimé

Amelie operates a cafe in a small town, where she enjoys providing food and cheer for her customers. Except when it rains. On rainy days, Amelie wants only to bury herself in bed until the sun comes out again. Amelie seems to have a secret admirer, who leaves her a pink raincoat, pink boots, and a pink umbrella so that maybe she can enjoy rainy days, too. The illustrations in the book are charming, but the story seems more suitable for a graphic novel for an adult audience than for a children's picture book.

This review is based on an electronic advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.½