Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella

Harper is an amazing girl in an amazing city. She lives with her aunt Sassy in a very tall apartment building. Harper is special because she can play any musical instrument beautifully. She also has a cat called Midnight whom she loves dearly.

One day, when Harper’s aunt is away making costumes for the Dutch Opera House, Midnight disappears. So Harper decides to set out to find Midnight. It always rains in the City of Clouds which means that everyone needs an umbrella. So Harper borrows her Aunt Sassy’s Scarlet Umbrella to help her.

Harper then discovers that all the cats in the City of Clouds are missing. A tall thin man called the Wild Conductor has lead them away. But what he has done with them and where he has taken them?

So Harper and her friends Ferdie, Liesel, Isabella, Nate and his wolf, Smoke, use the magical umbrella to try and find the Wild Conductor and rescue the missing cats. Can they solve the mystery, defeat the Wild Conductor, and bring all the cats back home? And what is the Circus of Dreams? Perhaps it is the beginning of the next adventure …

This lyrical fantasy tale is uplifting, entertaining and imaginative. In the narrative, the author creates a whole fantasy otherworld filled with unusual and lovable characters. It contains the popular themes of friendship, mystery and uniqueness.

Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella is essentially an adventure story, and the quest, although having slight echoes of the fairy tale, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, is both distinctive and individual. Its ending is positive and touching, and even the rascally Wild Conductor has redeeming qualities. This exquisite story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations.

It is a delightful book that will inspire young readers, leaving them with a strong impression of a wonderful and magical otherworld.