Silk Umbrellas by Caroline Marsden

"Your trembling is good, Noi" said Kun Ya. "That's the way the butterfly moves. Let the movement spread to your whole body, not just your fingers. Paint with all of you. Become the butterfly."

Noi and Ting are sisters who live in rural Thailand. They always enjoyed spending time with their grandmother (Kun Ya) in the jungle painting on transparent silk umbrellas to sell for money.

Noi always had a gift and passion for painting. Kun Ya let her paint simple things like leaves. When Noi painted these simplisitc things she felt as though all the shades of green rushed through her body like a flowing river and painted with excitement.

Noi and her family were very poor and didn't have enough money so Ting (Noi's sister) had to go and work in a factory where she spent her time fixing radios. Noi wished her sister didn't have to go and wanted to sell the umbrellas she painted. Kun Ya was getting too old to go and paint so Noi wanted to paint for her but was too shy to ask.

In the end, Noi has the bravery and shows the fig umbrella she painted to her parents. Her parents allow her to paint for money and she did not have to go to the factory.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to years 5 and up.

Reviewed by Hannah Yr 5