Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella
#1 of 4 in Harper Series
What’s inside...
Once there was a girl named Harper who had a rare musical gift. She heard songs on the wind, rhythms on the rain, and hope in the beat of a butterfly’s wing. Harper lives in the City of Clouds, an enchanting place where it rains every day and an umbrella is always a good idea. With her Aunt Sassy, her beloved cat, Midnight, and all of her neighbors in the Tall Apartment Block, every day is full of possibility. But when every cat in the city goes missing—including Midnight—Harper is determined to find all of the precious pets. And she'll need a magic, flying umbrella to help in her search. Recruiting friends from her building to help, the magic umbrella whisks them into the sky on the trail of the cats and adventure. They stumble on the Midnight Orchestra—tabbies on triangle, Siamese singing, Persians on piccolo—all under the direction of its fearsome, wild conductor. But can the group use their talents, quick thinking, musical skill, and a little magic to stage a rescue like no other? Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella is a spellbinding tale of friendship, music, and magic featuring a diverse cast, brought to life through stunning illustrations. A perfect book to be shared and treasured.
Character compass
Harper
Ferdie
Nate
Liesel
Great Aunt Sassy
Wild Conductor
Midnight
Discussion points
How do you think Harper felt when she discovered her cat, Midnight, was missing? Can you relate to her feelings?
What would you do if you had a magical umbrella like Harper's? Where would you go?
Harper works with her friends to solve a problem. Have you ever worked together with friends to solve a problem? What was it like?
The story shows us how important it is to help others. Can you think of a time when you helped someone? How did it make you feel?
Why do you think the author chose a scarlet umbrella as a magical object? What significance do you think the color red has in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story, relating their personal experiences to Harper’s adventures.
While discussing the magical aspect of the story, let their imagination run wild. Ask them to envision their own magical objects and the adventures they could have.
Highlight the importance of teamwork as demonstrated in the book. Discuss with your child the value of collaborating with others to achieve goals.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story, such as helping others and being brave in the face of challenges. Relate these lessons back to real-life scenarios your child might face.
Ask your child to describe different characters and what they liked about each. This helps in understanding character traits and development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: In the story, Harper embarks on an adventure with her friends to rescue lost cats, showcasing how working together can help overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with peers at school or in play, understanding that teamwork often leads to better solutions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: Harper uses her magical umbrella as a tool to create solutions, highlighting the power of imaginative thinking to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in daily activities, whether in crafting games or solving small problems, fostering creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy and caring for others
Explanation: The quest to find the missing cats demonstrates Harper’s concern for the well-being of others, illustrating empathetic behavior.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of being considerate and helping others around them, whether it’s sharing toys or supporting a sad friend.
Example Lesson: Courage and facing fears
Explanation: Harper confronts various challenges during her adventure, teaching children that it's normal to face fears and important to confront them.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of facing their own fears, such as trying new activities or standing up in class.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: By taking on the mission to save the cats, Harper shows taking responsibility for the situation, even when it gets challenging.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and commitments, such as completing homework or chores.