Review - Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Llama Llama Holiday Drama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2010
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

Llama Llama holidays. Jingle music. Lights ablaze.

How long till that special date?

Llama Llama has to wait.

If there's one thing Llama Llama doesn't like, it's waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can't wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that "Gifts are nice, but there's another: The true gift is, we have each other."

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I thought I'd already read a Llama Llama holiday book, but I guess it wasn't this one. (Honestly, the Llama Llama catalogue is a pretty extensive one.)

In this book, Llama Llama and Mama are busy getting ready for Christmas. There's so much to do! Shopping, baking, decorating... It all culminates in a tummy ache and a little llama who's had more than enough. It's up to Mama to remind him that Christmas is about love and being there for each other.

The pictures are cute (especially the one of Llama Llama when he keels over from too much holiday cheer), and the overall message is good. I did find the rhythm of the rhyming text uncharacteristically clunky in spots. I also don't like the way the book keeps using the word "holiday" when it means "Christmas". A dreidel is mentioned once, but make no mistake: This is a book about Christmas, despite that word not being used even once. The elves, the countdown to the 25th, the present shopping, decorating a tree... This is Christmas, not some generic winter holiday, or even a combination of holidays. So... that was annoying.

Other than that, though, this is a book that Llama Llama fans will want for their collection. It's full of the fun of the Christmas season, and parents will be able to relate to the overloaded kid at the centre of it all.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Holiday Helper

Llama Llama Holiday Helper
based on the books by Anna Dewdney
illustrated by J. J. Harrison
Date: 2020
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Celebrate the holidays with Llama Llama and all his friends in this beautifully illustrated picture book, based on the hit animated Netflix series!

Look out, world--Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney's best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix.

In this beautiful picture book, Llama Llama and Mama Llama are just about done with getting ready for the holidays. So Llama decides to help out his friends -- hanging wreaths, decorating trees, and baking cookies. Join Llama, Gilroy, Nelly, Euclid, and Luna as they celebrate their favorite time of year.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love the original Llama Llama picture books by Anna Dewdney. I've checked out the animated Netflix series and wasn't that impressed; the show is nowhere near as charming as the rhyming storybooks. So I wasn't sure I would enjoy this holiday picture book that's based on the TV series.

The story is decent and the illustrations are adequate. That's really about all I can say. It's very simplistic and aimed at young readers.

If your kids love the show, they'll probably like this book. But I would still recommend the original picture books over these tie-ins; even the shorter board books have an element of charm that this type of glossy, Hollywood picture book lacks.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.67 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Trick or Treat

Llama Llama Trick or Treat (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

Have a Happy Halloween with Llama Llama! Time to find the perfect costume, pick out a pumpkin for a jack-o’-lantern, and then go trick-or-treating with Mama and his friends!

This board book, with short and simple rhyming text and a smaller format, is just right for introducing Llama Llama to the youngest of listeners!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think these board books are one of my favourite series of board books. They're short, but they're so cute. With excellent meter and rhyme, they'd be perfect for reading aloud. And it doesn't hurt that Llama Llama and his friends are absolutely adorable.

Highly recommended for the youngest of readers, especially if you're looking for toddler-friendly books for Halloween.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too

Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Drawing.

Reading.

Building.

Painting.

These are things Nelly loves to do...but they're always better with Daddy Gnu!

With fun-to-read rhyme, a little silliness, and a lot of warmth, Anna Dewdney--the creator of the beloved llama llama books--tells the story of a daughter and her daddy and their wonderful day together.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

For those who don't know, Nelly Gnu is Llama Llama's friend. This picture book is done in the same style as the Llama Llama books, but focuses on Nelly and her relationship with her father.

After the family gets a new high chair and other baby furniture for Nelly's younger sibling, Daddy Gnu and Nelly turn the cardboard boxes into a little playhouse. When it's completed, Nelly thinks it needs something, so off they go to Home Depot (or some similar big-box store) to buy paint and brushes to decorate the playhouse. While they're there, Nelly ends up separated from Daddy Gnu, which is pretty scary. But it turns out that he's never far, and he manages to swoop in to save the day.

It's a fairly idealized look at the father-daughter relationship, which is fine if that's the case in the reader's life. I found this book a little difficult to read, though; those readers with more fractured relationships with their fathers probably aren't going to love this one. Daddy Gnu just comes across as a little too perfect: he knows how to do everything, he's protective, and he never makes a misstep. That may be how some children see their fathers, but it's by no means a universal experience.

The rhymes are cute and the pictures are nice, but I kind of felt like something was missing. Maybe it's just the fact that Llama Llama doesn't appear as a character in this one. Llamas are a lot cuter than gnus, for one thing. I'm also not sure we really get a good idea of Nelly's character here. (We've had plenty of time to get to know Llama Llama. Expecting the same level of knowledge about Nelly after just one book with her in a starring role is unrealistic, sure... but I still would've liked to see her personality developed a little bit more.)

If you like the bounce and rhythm of the Llama Llama books, you might enjoy this one, too. I don't think it's one of my favourite Anna Dewdney titles, though. Llamas > gnus. (Sorry, gnus!)

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Home with Mama

Llama Llama Home with Mama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2011
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Llama Llama, morning light.
Feeling yucky, just not right.
Down to breakfast.
Tiny sneeze.
Sniffle, snuffle.
Tissues, please!

Ah-choo! Uh-oh, Llama Llama's nose is feeling tickly, his throat is feeling scratchy, and his head is feeling stuffy. Back to bed, no school today for Llama Llama! Instead, he's home with Mama. By lunchtime, though, he's beginning to feel a tiny bit better. But now someone else has the sneezes... Mama! And who will help her feel better? Why, Llama Llama, of course! Anna Dewdney's fun-to-read rhymes are sure to help children and their parents get through those under-the-weather days.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Here's another cute Llama Llama book, perfect for reading aloud when the kids are feeling under the weather.

Llama Llama wakes up feeling gross. He's got a cold, so he has to stay home from school. Mama takes care of him, feeding him soup and making sure he gets enough rest. But just when he starts feeling a little bit better, Mama comes down with the same thing! Although Llama Llama is feeling kind of bored, he steps up and tries to make his mom feel better.

It's a sweet book with a sweet message. I could've done without some of the rhymes about snot, but kids will probably love them. This is yet another wonderful Llama Llama book to add to your collection.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Time to Share

Llama Llama Time to Share (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2012
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Llama has a sharing drama!

Build a tower. Make a moat.
Nelly's dolly sails a boat.
What can Llama Llama add?
Maybe sharing's not so bad.

Llama Llama has new neighbors! Nelly Gnu and her mama stop by for a play date, but Llama's not so sure it's time to share all his toys. Maybe just his blocks? It could be fun to make a castle with Nelly . . . But wait--Nelly has Llama's little Fuzzy Llama! The fun turns to tears when Fuzzy Llama is ripped in two, "all because of Nelly Gnu!" Mama comes to the rescue and fixes Fuzzy, but she makes it clear: "I'll put Fuzzy on the stairs, until you're sure that you can share."

Fun to read aloud and helpful to children and parents alike, Llama Llama Time to Share is for any child who needs a little encouragement in sharing.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Now this is the Llama Llama I know and love.

This adorable story in rhyme is about sharing. When Nelly Gnu comes over for a playdate, Llama is forced to share his toys. That's all fine, really, until he sees Nelly playing with Fuzzy Llama (his little doll that he takes everywhere). A tug-o-war ensues, and poor Fuzzy Llama gets his arm ripped off! It's a "llama-mergency"!

Not to worry. Mama fixes Fuzzy Llama, but she sets him aside until Llama Llama is ready to share. Eventually, he learns that sharing isn't so bad, and he and Nelly have lots of fun playing together.

Unlike the last Llama Llama book I read, the posthumously published Llama Llama Loves to Read, this one captures the soul of the characters through the wonderful illustrations and bouncy rhymes. There's a lesson here (as there is in most of the Llama Llama storybooks), and I love that it's not preachy. It's just there, in the background, waiting to be absorbed as you read the cute story.

This is yet another wonderful book about the little llama and his family and friends. Highly recommended to fans of the series... or to anyone who needs a little encouragement to share.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Loves to Read

Llama Llama Loves to Read (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney & Reed Duncan
illustrated by JT Morrow
Date: 2018
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Anna Dewdney's Bestselling Llama Llama series continues with Llama learning to read!

Llama Llama learns at school.
Counting, writing, reading, rules.
Friends and school -- there's nothing better.
Llama learning all the letters!

Anna Dewdney's beloved Llama Llama is growing up and learning to read! Throughout the school day, the teacher helps Llama Llama and the other children practice their letters, shows word cards, reads stories, and brings them to the library where they can all choose a favorite book. By the end of the day, Llama Llama is recognizing words and can't wait to show Mama Llama that he's becoming a reader!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What a disappointment.

I was happy to see that Anna Dewdney's legacy was being carried on by her partner. I'd also heard that she'd had a number of books in the works at the time of her death. So I thought perhaps this posthumously published title would be just as good as some of the previous Llama Llama books. Unfortunately, it isn't.

There's just something missing here. The spark of magic that made these books about the little llama so special is gone. I couldn't connect to this one emotionally at all. Unlike Llama Llama Red Pajama or Llama Llama and the Bully Goat, there's really no reason to care about what's going on. The llama's learning to read. Yeah... so? Most kids do. I really doubt that this is all there would've been if Dewdney had written and illustrated this book all by herself. (There's also something off with the meter in a few places, which is something I don't remember at all from the previous books. The rhyme and rhythm are usually dependably good.)

The illustrations--while they look nearly identical to Dewdney's work--are likewise lacking... something. The soul of the characters is missing. I can't quite put my finger on what the problem is. The imitation of the style is good... but it's just not quite right.

It was exciting to think we might've had more Llama Llama coming our way... but if this book is indicative of what this series will be like from now on, I think I'll have to give it a pass.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.43 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop

Llama Llama Hoppity-Hop (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2012
Publisher: Viking Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

Llama Llama TOUCH!
Llama Llama TAP!
Llama Llama Red Pajama
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!

Can you move like Llama Llama? Watch Llama hop, stretch, touch, and tap in this third board book by Anna Dewdney. Then you can do it, too!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is another board book for very young readers. Like Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom, it's very simple and there's no real story (or even much of a theme). But toddlers will probably like imitating Llama Llama, and the rhythm of the words is nice and bouncy.

These animated e-book editions kind of freak me out a little, though. You're reading merrily along, and then the llama blinks at you. If you didn't know that was going to happen, you could be forgiven for thinking you were hallucinating!

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom

Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2012
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

Llama Llama ZIP!
Llama Llama ZOOM!
Llama Llama Red Pajama
VROOM, VROOM, VROOM!

On the playground, Llama goes fast! Llama zips by on his scooter and swishes down the slide--whoosh! These board books are more than great read-alouds--they're great act-alongs, too! Younger audiences will love doing as Llama does in these supremely adorable, incredibly engaging new board books.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is another of the Llama Llama board books for very young readers. I was taken aback when I opened up the e-book because Llama's ears were waving in the breeze on the cover! The motion continues on the pages, with ears and tails wagging. I'm not sure I really like this e-book feature; it was kind of distracting for me.

The other problem is that this particular e-book is missing nearly 1/4 of the text. The rhyme is supposed to go:

Llama Llama ZIP!
Llama Llama ZOOM!
Llama Llama Red Pajama
VROOM, VROOM, VROOM!

Unfortunately, in my copy, the last line was cut (in the first two out of the three stanzas), so it read:

Llama Llama ZIP!
Llama Llama ZOOM!
Llama Llama Red Pajama

I thought maybe Dewdney had really dropped the ball with her writing! But it's just the stupid e-book conversion. (I still have no idea what the last line of the second stanza is. Something that rhymes with "swoosh", I'm guessing...)

The illustrations don't impress me, either. Again, I think it's something to do with the animated e-book format, but Llama and Nelly often have pure white eyes (creepy!) or they look half asleep. I'm guessing there's supposed to be some blinking or something going on there, but it's not working as planned.

I might've rated this higher had it just been a regular e-book (or board book), but since this is the version I read, this is the version I'm going to rate. I just wish those missing lines had been included. I'm guessing they rhyme, but... I really don't know!

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 2.57 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama I Love You

Llama Llama I Love You (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.

In Llama Llama I Love You, little llama shows his friends and family how much he loves them with heart-shaped cards and lots of hugs. What could be sweeter than Llama Llama on Valentine's Day?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

These board books may be short, but they're super cute. The rhymes are great, and the pictures are adorable. There really isn't any need for this book to be longer, as it still manages to show what Valentine's Day is all about in just a few pages.

Older kids will probably want more, but this is a great Valentine's Day book for younger children and toddlers.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa

Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2015
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

It’s an exciting day for Llama Llama; he’s going to visit Gram and Grandpa Llama and spend the night! His first night away from home….and from Mama. But he makes sure to pack everything he needs. And there are so many fun things to do with Gram and Grandpa. It’s not until he gets ready for bed that he realizes that he’s forgotten something important. Fuzzy Llama! Fortunately, Grandpa Llama has a wonderful solution and soon Llama Llama is having sweet dreams.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

In this story about the little llama, Llama goes to spend the night at his grandparents' house. He's having a great time until he goes to unpack and... Fuzzy (his toy llama) isn't there. (We actually see in the illustrations that it's been forgotten in Mama's car.) Llama's grandparents manage to distract him with all kinds of fun things, but when it's finally time for bed, poor Llama is beside himself. Luckily, Grandpa knows just what to do.

This is a highly relatable story that will likely resonate with anyone who's forgotten to pack something important. The solution is sweet; Llama has such nice grandparents. (And, of course, there's a reunion at the end of the book between Llama and Fuzzy, just in case kids are worried if they ever get back together.)

Seeing the aging llama grandparents illustrated is kind of fun. The facial expressions are pretty amusing. Just like in the other books in this series, the pictures are strong.

This is yet another great title in the Llama Llama series that I'd definitely recommend.

Quotable moment:

 
Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.43 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2013
Publisher: Viking Children's
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 41
Format: e-book
Source: library

Llama Llama likes to sing.

Gilroy laughs at everything.

Llama sings out just the same.

Gilroy says a not-nice name.

Teacher has some things to say:

calling names is not OK.

Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn't sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then Llama Llama feels badly. Can he and Gilroy try to be friends again?

Taking on a difficult but important part of children's lives, Anna Dewdney gives readers a way to experience and discuss bullying in a safe and comforting way.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love the full-length Llama Llama books. They usually have a nice story with a great message, packaged in a sweet and accessible way. Llama Llama and the Bully Goat is no different, telling the tale of a troublesome classmate who just seems intent on stirring up trouble. He mocks the other kids. He interferes with their play. He teases them for having dolls. (I'd hate to see Gilroy Goat's home life; his behaviour hints at something potentially problematic.)

What I really like about these books is that they present a problem and then show kids how to deal with it. In this book, the bullied kids (Llama and Nelly) eventually stand up to the bully and then go and tell the teacher... who believes them and does something about the problem. In an ideal world, this is what should be happening, and I like how it's handled here. Gilroy gets his time-out and a chance to reflect on his behaviour (he'd already been told to stop, so it wasn't like the punishment came out of nowhere). Eventually, the kids all end up playing together and having fun... once Gilroy gets his bullying behaviour under control.

The illustrations are, as always, adorable. It's fun to see all the different animals that make up Llama's class. There's everything from a kitten to a gnu... and the teacher is a zebra!

This is another strong title in the Llama Llama series. I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 5/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.57 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Jingle Bells

Llama Llama Jingle Bells (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2014
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 14
Format: e-book
Source: library

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.

In Llama Llama Jingle Bells, little llama and his friends give gifts, sing songs, and decorate cookies. It’s a very merry holiday indeed!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I love the Llama Llama books! After discovering them a few years ago, I've read as many as I could find, and I've even given Llama Llama Red Pajama (my favourite) as a gift. Now, many of the books in the series are longer; this is one of the board books, intended for babies and toddlers. As such, it's really short. That's probably my main complaint.

But this very short book still manages to tell a story in rhyme about a little llama preparing for Christmas. He goes with his mom to get a tree, exchanges gifts with his friends, sings songs, bakes and decorates cookies (and then leaves them out for Llama Santa), and goes to bed amid delicious smells... only to awake the next morning to Christmas.

The illustrations are adorable, as usual. Little Llama often has his llama toy in hand, and his friends--a diverse group of animals--are always fun to see.

I wish our library had the longer Christmas book, Llama Llama Holiday Drama. Llama Llama Jingle Bells is very cute, but it lacks the fleshing-out of plot and characters of the longer books.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.71 out of 5

Review - Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Llama Llama Misses Mama

I found these books on We Give Books.  They had three of them available, so I read them all.  According to Goodreads, there are thirteen books about this adorable little llama and his mother.  See below for my thoughts on each of the books:

Llama Llama Red Pajama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2005
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book was probably my favourite of the bunch.  It takes a common childhood fear (when mother doesn't come running, does it mean she's left?) and spins an amusing little tale around it.  Mama Llama's reassurances to her son are sweet and heartfelt, letting kids know that, just because their parents might be busy, it doesn't mean they aren't there for them.  The illustrations in this book are particularly adorable... even when Llama Llama is moaning and crying for his mother (who's simply on the phone in the kitchen).

Quotable moment:

Llama llama
red pajama
in the dark
without his mama.
Eyes wide open,
covers drawn...
What if Mama Llama's GONE?

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Llama Llama Mad at Mama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2007
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can’t leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he’s having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This was the first of the Llama Llama books I read, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The story takes a familiar situation (a child would rather stay home and play, but gets dragged to the store and becomes bored and frustrated) and imparts a valuable lesson... for both the child and the parent.  After Llama Llama throws a fit and makes a mess, he's held responsible for his actions and has to help Mama Llama make amends.  It was a good message, and the cute pictures did a good job of illustrating the emotions of the characters.

Quotable moment:

Loaf of bread
and Cream of Wheat.
Llama Llama wants his treat.
It's no fun at Shop-O-Rama.
Llama Llama
MAD at Mama!

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Llama Llama Misses Mama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2009
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back?

Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This Llama Llama book takes a common theme for its story: the first day of school/preschool.  At first, Llama Llama is sad and scared because he thinks his mother's left him.  But when the teacher reassures him that his mother will be back at the end of the day, he starts to have some fun and make some friends.  And, of course, Mama Llama comes back.  Like the other two books, this one has a reassuring message for kids.  The illustrations in this one were pretty cute, too, with all of the different animals.  Llama Llama's teacher is a zebra!

Quotable moment:

Don't be sad, new little llama!
It's OK to miss your mama.
But don't forget--
when day is through,
she will come right back to you.

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5



Overall, I really enjoyed these books, even though I'm way past the target audience and I don't have children of my own.  I wouldn't mind reading some of the other Llama Llama titles if they're as cute as these three!