By Niki Foreman & Binny Talib

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

Amidst the copious books about ‘fitting in’ and ‘being yourself’ Niki Foreman and Binny Talib have succeeded in creating a fresh take on the topic with their picture book, The Umbrella. Sweet and subtle, visually rich and minimally didactic, it carries a very clear message about inclusion and explores deeper ideas about how we see difference.

“I don’t fit,” says a child, standing in the rain observing a group of children under a huge umbrella. “How can I make myself fit?” they wonder, as they attempt to insert themselves via a handstand. It doesn’t work. The character has large headphones, which might be read as noise cancelling to assist neurodivergence, but the story is equally for any reader. “Do I need to fit?” they ask, and we now understand that the umbrella is a metaphor, and the character is negotiating one of the most pressing conundrums children (and adults) face in their social journey. Soon, the (unnamed, gender neutral) main character meets two other children who don’t fit. A solution is on offer! But these two get their own umbrella. “I don’t think it’s for me. But it was nice to meet you,” the protagonist says.

A stunning, warm colour palette and brilliant use of negative space highlight the characters’ relative exclusion and ‘otherness.’ Thanks to this rich visual storytelling, with very few words, the reader understands that exclusion is lonely, and that it can be really hard for some children to join a group. And simply connecting an isolated child with other similar children (as a caring teacher or parent might try) does not mean they will have anything in common. It takes time for someone to figure out where they fit.

The story does, of course, have a happy ending. The protagonist is approached by a new friend and they begin splashing in puddles together. As the sun comes out, the other children cautiously emerge from their umbrellas and look around. This is the key to the joyful conclusion of this story. The journey to inclusion is not about the main character having to change, nor the children being persuaded to include others despite their difference. Change comes when the children, previously huddled and shielded by the umbrella, are able to SEE others in a new (rainbow hued) light. Suddenly, getting to know diverse people seems appealing rather than a teaching moment. In this way, the book works as a simple story about making friends, and a much deeper exploration of bias, acceptance, and the complexities of the social world.

Penguin, March 2026

Niki Foreman