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(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Lydia Nichols.
The book's funny premise--llama plus Hanukkah equal Llamakkah--pays off with an entertaining story of a llama family celebrating the Festival of Lights. Brief, peppy rhymes describe Hanukkah customs and activities, with a joyous holiday-centric refrain: "Singing so sweet. / Donuts to eat. / Gelt for a treat. / Happy Llamakkah!" Pastel-hued illustrations with cheerful patterns and blue-and-gold flourishes depict the dreidel-spinning, candle-lighting fun. An appended author's note tells more about the holiday; and for a Jewish take on the traditional Christmastime ugly sweater (see review on page 33), web-search "happy llamakkah sweater."
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2020
40 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-250-30317-2$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Heather Fox.
On Monday, Llama eats cake. On Tuesday, he splits his dancing pants ("He was still full of cake"), which makes a sound that causes a black hole in the universe to tear open. By Friday the hole has swallowed everything...or has it? Riotous cartoonish art and the dopey-looking llama's lack of self-control are to thank for this absurdist gut buster.
40 pp.
| Viking
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01397-5$17.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
JT Morrow.
In this new story about Llama Llama, he and his classmates are learning to read. They start by identifying letters, then gradually (though it looks like the same day) are able to read simple words, then entire books. Sometimes-forced rhymes may impede readers of this book, whose familiar cheery cartoon illustrations will nevertheless be comforting (and welcome) to Llama Llama's fans.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Renata Liwska.
Llama is inspired to create "Something special. Something lovely." Her friends (Rabbit, Raccoon, Deer, etc.) join her, quilting, beading, painting, and weaving as she knits. Then Beaver arrives, and his need to create something "useful" prompts Llama to consider how her knitting might be put to practical use. Gauzy, pastel-colored pencil illustrations reflect the animals' gentle activities and calm friendships as they share their "special, crafty, useful" talents.
(4)
4-6
Living Wild series.
Eye-catching, close-up photographs enliven these informative texts, focusing on one animal per volume. Appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, threats to survival, and representation in culture are all addressed in great detail, while sidebars provide additional information. Although lengthy chapters and the absence of a table of contents make quick reference difficult, thorough indexing helps mitigate this drawback. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Living Wild titles: Elk, Lemurs, Llamas, Prairie Dogs
40 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01396-8$17.99
(4)
PS
The latest in this popular series finds the young llama having his first sleepover with resourceful, sensitive Gram and Grandpa. The color-soaked, canvas-textured oil paint, colored pencil, and oil pastel illustrations capture Llama Llama's changing emotions as he packs, travels, and stays overnight, despite his forgotten stuffed animal. Short, rhymed, singsongy sentences move the predictable story about negotiating new experiences along.
40 pp.
| Viking
| August, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01395-1$$17.99
(4)
PS
"Being bullied is no fun... / Walk away / and tell someone!" Llama Llama follows his teacher's lead and tells a classmate to quit behaving like a bully. LL and friends tell their teacher, and "Gilroy gets a long time-out." The simplistic solution gives young children an easy-to-understand approach to coping with bullying. Dewdney's familiar character and the singsongy rhyming text help make the overt lesson palatable.
32 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9333-9$16.99
(2)
PS
This bilingual picture book, a riff on "Mary Had a Little Lamb," is set in the Peruvian Alps. The text mirrors the traditional tale, and both languages (English and Spanish) appear on the same page or spread. Bold ink and gouache illustrations include plentiful cultural clues (e.g., the market, village, musical instruments), and Maria and her llamas' personalities shine through.
Reviewer: Jim St. Claire
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2013
32 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01233-6$17.99
(3)
PS
In Llama Llama's latest vehicle, his challenge is sharing his toys while hosting a play date ("Nelly starts to build a town. / Llama Llama starts to frown..."). As expected, there's a skillfully done teachable moment here, and Dewdney is expert at showing--through her staccato rhymes and well-observed illustrations--the way that a child navigates his or her emotions.
32 pp.
| Penguin/Paulsen
| May, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25636-3$16.99
(3)
K-3
Chico, a Peruvian chick, is afraid of everything--including his own shadow. His father reassures him with the story of the "Golden Chicken," a good-guy superbird that regularly saves the day. Seeking the legendary bird, Chico climbs the tallest mountain and soon finds himself in the superbird role. The rich acrylics add humor to Chico's simple, satisfying tale of bravery.
40 pp.
| Viking
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01232-9$17.99
(3)
PS
"Achy, fever, stuffy head...Llama Llama back to bed." The young llama stays home from school, takes medicine, plays with toys, naps--and passes his malady on to Mama. As usual, the text is well metered, and young fans of the series will identify with the rituals of a sick day. Parents, too, will appreciate Llama Llama's recognition of his mother's needs.
40 pp.
| Viking
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-01161-2$16.99
(2)
PS
In his fourth book, Llama Llama wonders how, despite the season’s "hustle bustle," the countdown to Christmas moves at a snail's pace. After too much shopping, baking, and waiting, Llama Llama melts down, and Mama Llama gives him a much-needed hug, reminding him: "the true gift is / we have each other." The illustrations convey the hectic atmosphere in great detail.
40 pp.
| Viking
| March, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-06198-3$16.99
(3)
PS
In bouncy rhyming couplets, this reassuring book describes Llama Llama's first day at preschool. Missing Mama, he hangs back and cries a little. But the teacher is kind, and the other children are friendly, so he decides to join in: "Llama finds out something new-- / He loves Mama...and school, too!" The spirited illustrations show all the trappings of a busy preschool.
(4)
K-3
Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies series.
Illustrated by
Todd Ouren.
This series describes the lives of various animals on the farm. Most spreads deliver one to three sentences of main text and an additional one to three sentences (in smaller type) of further explanation. The animal sounds seem somewhat babyish for the informational text. The illustrations, although bright and inviting, can be too dully repetitive across volumes. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies titles: In the Buffalo Pasture, In the Goat Yard, In the Llama Yard, In the Rabbit Hutch, and In the Turkey Pen.
32 pp.
| Sterling
| March, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4027-5277-3$9.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jenny Cooper.
A young llama tries to find a playmate, but everyone is too busy. Instead, he has an adventure on his own, told in singsong rhyme, and finally gains a friend. Desert-colored illustrations filled with visual surprises illuminate the llamas' personalities. Readers will be able to relate to the little llama's familiar plight. Glos.
32 pp.
| Viking
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-670-06240-9$15.99
(3)
K-3
Employing faultless rhymes, Dewdney chronicles a routine day of shopping--until Llama Llama, fed up, throws a temper tantrum at Shop-O-Rama. As in Llama Llama Red Pajama, Dewdney sympathizes with the child but also makes plain that mothers have things to do besides entertain their kids. Readers will enjoy anticipating the storm by tracking the expressions on Llama Llama's face.
40 pp.
| Viking
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-670-05983-8$15.99
(3)
PS
While in his bed, a llama gets worked up because he's convinced that his mother has abandoned him. Mama snaps--"Baby Llama, / what a tizzy! / Sometimes Mama's / very busy"--before reassuring him. The understated message--moms deserve a break--is refreshing in a picture book for young children, who will appreciate this llama drama's exaggerated facial expressions.
(4)
4-6
Nine-year-old JT is given a cria (baby llama) to care for on his family's Alaskan llama ranch, but after a bear attack, the cria is injured and orphaned. JT must decide whether or not to put it down, while his grandfather is dying in the hospital at the same time. Despite some predictability in the story, the unique setting will engage readers.
48 pp.
| Lerner
| April, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-0067-1$$23.93
(3)
K-3
Early Bird Nature Books series.
Photographs by
William Muñoz.
These two series titles introduce llamas and giant pandas, describing each animal's habitat and unique characteristics. Both volumes include clear, captioned color photos and diagrams. Conservation efforts are addressed in Giant Pandas; Llamas discusses how these animals herd sheep on farms. A note to adults includes suggested activities and gives guidance on sharing the book with a child. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Early Bird Nature Books titles: Llamas and Giant Pandas.]
64 pp.
| North-South/SeaStar
| April, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-58717-048-5$$14.95
|
LibraryISBN 1-58717-049-3$$14.88
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Molly Bang.
Harley is pretty much a failure as a pack animal, but when a savvy shepherd chooses Harley to guard her sheep, the llama finds his true calling. This stands as one of the few books intended for beginning readers who prefer their animals with authentic attributes rather than human characteristics. The rustically textured illustrations warm the tone and highlight the action. This is a high adventure well told and respectful of both animal and audience.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2001
22 reviews
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