Oil-Paper Umbrella

A boy and his family flee their southern China town during wartime. With the Japanese army not far behind them, the mother falls ill. She forces the family to continue on without her and gives the boy one final gift—a red, oil-paper umbrella. Years later, the umbrella’s delicate beauty floods the boy with memories of his mother who, to him, was the most beautiful mother in the world.

Lu Xu is a well-known Chinese writer and member of the China Writer's Association. He has published more than 120 books. His works have won awards such as the National Outstanding Children's Literature Award and the Bing Xin Children's Book Award.

Anastasia Arkhipova was born in Moscow, Russia. She has been honored as one of the best illustrators in Russia and was elected to the Executive Committee of the International Children's Book Alliance. Fine Rice is considered her masterpiece.