The Pink Umbrella

The Pink Umbrella was a book I found by accident. I quickly realized I had found a treasure. Welcome to one of the most charming books I’ve seen and read! 

It tells the story of Adele, who runs a small cafe called the Polka Dot Apron in the heart of a small seaside village. As French author Amelie Callot describes the café, you long to be there with Adele, her “regulars”, and Lucas, the grocer from the nearest town who brings her flowers for her bouquets (and who takes off his cap when he comes in her doors). Swoon. 

Adele is somewhat of a mystery to the townspeople even though they all love the Polka Dot Apron. But, the thing everyone does know about Adele is that she hates the rain. She is a ray of sunshine on sunny days and will leave the café for an hour or so of freedom to walk by the beach, throw the windows open, and prop open the door. But on rainy days, she loses her spirit.

This book should be made into a movie.

So you can imagine her surprise when on one such beautiful, sunny market day at the café, she begins to find presents being left for her. First, a pair of lovely pink rain boots with a sun carved into each sole. Next, a beautiful pink raincoat that is her exact fit.

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But, it’s the final gift of a pink polka dot umbrella on a rainy, gray day when the café has had only one visitor that finally solves the mystery of the gift giver. And to find the giver, Adele braves the rain in all her new gear. 

This book should be made into a movie. The characters that Amelie Callot and illustrator Genevieve Godbout create are intricate, romantic, ideal, and yet relatable. And the simple thoughtful gestures in this book put butterflies in your stomach as the story progresses.

There are no sweeping romantic gestures. Only small, thoughtful, beautiful deeds that make you believe this café really exists. Somewhere, there is a lovely café owner who hates the rain, and someone in her life that is determined to help her find the beauty even in a rainy, gray day.

As I read this book to Maple, I hope she grows to love the simple things in life. The cafes, the “regulars” in her life, the walks in the “tall grasses blown flat by the sea air”, and flowers made into uncomplicated bouquets. And I hope she learns to find the beauty in all of the days she has on this earth. Because there is beauty to be found in everything, isn’t there?

Emily

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