Umbrella Queen Book

Growing up in a family of umbrella-makers, who live in a village of umbrella makers, young Noot longs for the day when she will be allowed to paint umbrellas of her own. After pestering her parents, she is finally given her chance, and her skill as a painter impresses everyone. The elders of the family are less than pleased, however, when she takes the first opportunity to begin painting elephants on her umbrellas, rather than the customary flowers and butterflies. Quickly set right, Noot dutifully returns to more traditional themes, but when the King comes to pick the village's best umbrella, thereby naming that year's Umbrella Queen, something very unexpected occurs...

Featuring an engaging and ultimately heartwarming story about the tensions between personal choice and creative independence on the one hand, and family and community obligations and economic reality on the other, The Umbrella Queen avoids making anyone the villain - Noot's parents aren't unsympathetic to her desires, it's just that they rely on the umbrellas they make for their living - and presents an ideal ending, in which an outside authority solves the problem. The story, although not the equal of author Shirim Yim Bridge's Ruby's Wish , is sweet, and the accompanying artwork by Taeeun Yoo is colorful and appealing. Recommended to those looking for children's stories affirming young people's own creative choices.