The Pink Umbrella

PreS-Gr 2—Translated from the French, this Canadian import stars Adele, owner of the Polka-Dot Apron café. Her establishment is the center of this seaside town's life, hosting a market, cinema night, and parties each week. The jaunty brunette is loved by all: she is "the village's sun—lively, sweet and sparkling." A grocer from a neighboring community is particularly fond of her. Lucas runs the market, bringing food and flowers and a bouquet or two just for Adele. Listeners may figure out before Adele that it is he who starts leaving presents. Knowing that she abhors rain (sometimes she doesn't even emerge from the covers when it is dreary), he first deposits pink boots with images of the sun etched in the soles. These are followed by a matching raincoat and then a polka-dot umbrella. Godbout's pastel and colored pencil compositions are softly textured and vary in mood and design to suit the story. The settings and characterizations have the feel of a 50s Audrey Hepburn movie. Viewers who love pink will be enthralled by Adele's striking, fashionable ensemble against the impressionistic gray rain when she ventures out to find her gift-giver.