Umbrella

Elena Arevalo Melville grew up in tropical Guatemala, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains and a large family, including a little green parrot. She has an MA in Children's book illustration from Cambridge School of Art. She is a mother, a writer, an illustrator, a cartographer and leads workshops and art clubs in comics and art for children and adults. Her published work includes a series of Fantastical Maps for Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination, contributions to small comic anthologies, and a tween picture book Niente Principe Ranocchio (No frog Prince) with Donzelli Editore (2014). She lives in Cambridge, with her partner and children and, although she still considers herself a bird person, she loves their little black cat.

'Lovely bold, expressive drawing conjures a magical story in Elena Arevalo Melville's heart-warming picture book Umbrella (Scallywag GBP12.99, 3+), in which a lonely girl finds an object in the park that brings the needy what they lack and the greedy what they deserve: this includes a blue elephant and a sense of community.' Sunday Times, Best Children's Books to read this summer;'OH! This is a brilliantly bizarre picture book, no doubt about that! A young girl finds and shows kindness to a sentient umbrella (yes really!) that magically returns the favour tenfold. Thus ensues a series of astonishingly realised events, culminating in a well-pitched finale demonstrating the healing power of forgiveness. A superb work: an example of a text being paired with it's perfect publisher. Joyous!' Northern Scottish Papers;'Imagine a world where everyone is kind and forgiving, and where anything is possible. How wonderful would that be. That is the world Elena Arevalo Melville creates in this uplifting story. Her somewhat surreal tale of empathy, kindness and community is one to share and discuss at every opportunity.' Red Reading Hub;'An exhilarating and entertaining lesson in the rewards of caring, sharing and togetherness.' Lancashire Evening Post