Llama Llama Red Pajama – Book Review

PreSchool-K–With its sweet rendering of the trials of bedtime and separation anxiety, this book’s familiar theme will be a hit with youngsters. Baby Llama, all tucked in and kissed after his bedtime story, watches his mama leave the room with a worried expression on his face. When he calls her and she does not come back immediately, he succumbs to a fit of wailing and weeping, finally bringing his panic-stricken mother at a full gallop. After her reassurance that “Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here,” Baby Llama settles and drifts off to sleep. This story has a simple rhyme scheme, using natural language that children will enjoy. The large, boldly colored pictures have a grand and sweeping quality, extending out to the edges of the pages. Baby Llama’s facial expressions capture his fear and alarm wonderfully. The contrast between light and dark enhances the drama in the story. This effective read-aloud will be a popular choice for storyhour and one-on-one sharing.–Corrina Austin, Locke’s Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
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PreS. After Mama Llama reads Baby Llama a bedtime story and turns out the light, the llama drama begins. Feeling alone without his mama, Baby Llama wants a drink and calls down to Mama, who says she’ll be up soon. But Baby Llama frets, whimpers, boo-hoos, pouts, and shouts. What if Mama is gone? At last, she appears (she was talking on the phone), and reassures her baby that she’s “always near, / even if she’s / not right here.” Dewdney gives a wonderfully fresh twist to a familiar nighttime ritual with an adorable bug-eyed baby llama, staccato four-line rhymes, and page compositions that play up the drama. The simple rhymes call out for repeating, and the whimsical illustrations cleverly dramatize the increasing panic. Key worry words, such as fret, are highlighted, and for extra humor, Baby Llama’s toy llama mimics his every expression. A real charmer that will leave preschoolers giggling and parents appreciating the familiar scenario. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

PRAISE FOR LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA:

“Dewdney gives a wonderfully fresh twist to a familiar nighttime ritual with an adorable bug-eyed baby llama, staccato four-line rhymes, and page compositions that play up the drama.” —Booklist
“With its sweet rendering of the trials of bedtime and separation anxiety, this book’s familiar theme will be a hit with youngsters.” —School Library Journal 

Anna Dewdney (www.annadewdney.com) is the author and illustrator of the bestselling Llama Llama series. She lives in southern Vermont.