October 2015 Book of the Month 'Once there was a girl called 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.’ So begins this charming story of a special little girl, who loves music and cats, and of her adventures with a magical umbrella. Harper’s life with her dressmaker aunt Sassy is unusual already, but the gift of the Scarlet Umbrella transforms it even more because this umbrella is quite out of the ordinary. When Harper’s cat Midnight goes missing, together with all the cats in the City of Clouds, Harper knows the umbrella will help her to find them. There’s a delightfully old-fashioned feel to this story, a hint of proper magic. Little girls in particular will love Harper and day-dream themselves into her adventures. ~ Andrea Reece
A beautifully written, lyrical tale featuring a cast of funny and
loveable characters, created by children's TV presenter Cerrie Burnell
and stunningly illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson.
Harper lives in the City of Clouds with her Great Aunt Sassy and
her beloved cat, Midnight. When Midnight goes missing - together
with all the cats of the neighbourhood - Harper realises that only
her magical scarlet umbrella can help her find him...
When Harper steps out with the umbrella in her hand, she is carried
up into the sky on a series of amazing adventures.
And Midnight isn't all she finds when she stumbles upon the Midnight
Orchestra and its wild conductor...
Cerrie Burnell is an actress, singer, playwright, author and former television presenter for CBeebies (2009–2017). She was born with half a right arm and has sought to increase visibility of disabled people through her career in presenting, writing and acting.
