"Umbrella" is about Momo (Peach), a little girl who receives an umbrella and boots for her birthday. The little girl is impatient for the rain to arrive and, when it showers, she proudly marches to school in the inclement weather. The book illustrations are soft and streaky, like chalk on the sidewalk after the rain. "Umbrella" addresses different cultures in presentation of Japanese characters on some of the pages, pronunciations of the words, and translation. Read this book to young children and discuss with them their experiences walking in the rain under an umbrella.
Have umbrellas, rain gear (hats, rain coats, boots) available in a dramatic play area for children to use. This activity is best for undirected imaginative play, also known as "dress up."
A parachute can be an impromptu umbrella. Find a recording of rain without thunder--loud noises can sometimes frighten sensitive children. Tell the children that it is raining and they need to get under the umbrella. Gently dip the parachute up and down to simulate raindrops falling on the umbrella.
Cut out umbrella shapes from construction paper. Provide blue nontoxic and washable ink stamps to the children and direct them to make their fingerprints on the umbrella shape to resemble raindrops.
Put on energetic music, supply the children with umbrellas, and direct them to dance around like raindrops.