This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
Courtney Shannon Strand is a writer, editor, and creative thinker who has a knack for writing catchy jingles for children. Courtney won first place for her picture book titled "Ella's Umbrella" in the PNWA.org writing contest.
Kicky Cane Press publishes her books. Courtney has two more books set to release a picture book titled "Roundup Rodeo" in Jan. 2021 and a concept book titled "In the Deep Blue Sea" in Jan. 2022.
She has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and has worked for About.com, AOL City's Best, and Martingale Books. She also has a Master's degree in Marketing Communications where she has consulted for several companies. Her life motto is Character Matters.
Courtney grew up in "Big Sky Country" Montana and now lives and works by the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Washington State with her husband, Jeff.
See more at courtneyshannonstrand.com or visit her Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @CourtStrand.
Reviewed by Jacob R LaMar for Readers' Favorite
Ella’s Umbrella is a children’s book written by Courtney Shannon Strand and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury. The book clocks in at a vibrant 33 pages that tell the story of young Ella as she goes out in the rain with her bright red umbrella. Through the course of the book, Ella has fun splishing and splashing through the puddles and must traverse the strong winds and lightning storms that come her way. In the end, she emerges unharmed and just about as smiley as she was at the beginning.
Ella’s Umbrella is a wonderful book that enticed me to read it at least five times due to its well-written text and stunning visuals. Strand has unearthed a diamond in the rough with her character Ella’s infectious joy for life. I also relished the abundant use of onomatopoeias throughout the story and the lyrical feel of the text. Lounsbury does a magnificent job of capturing the nature of the book with vivid illustrations that are bursting with character. Together Strand and Lounsbury prove they have perfect chemistry with this book and I hope to see more from this duo in the future.
In style, Ella’s Umbrella reminds me of a less wacky version of a Dr. Seuss story. There isn’t much of a message to take from it and why should there be. It accomplishes its main goal in spades which is making young readers smile. Can there be a more worthy cause in a book? I would recommend Ella’s Umbrella to children, parents, grandparent or anyone else that just loves to smile. Ella’s Umbrella by Courtney Shannon Strand will help you do that.
