Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

Overview

Strange new teacher.
Strange new toys.
Lots of kids and lots of noise!

What would Llama like to do?
Llama Llama feels so new . . .

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!

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780670061983
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/19/2009
Series:	Llama Llama Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	11,644
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD240L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Anna Dewdney was a teacher, mother, and enthusiastic proponent of reading aloud to children. She continually honed her skills as an artist and writer and published her first Llama Llama book in 2005. Her passion for creating extended to home and garden and she lovingly restored an 18th century farmhouse in southern Vermont. She wrote, painted, gardened, and lived there with her partner, Reed, her two daughters, two wirehaired pointing griffons, and one bulldog. Anna passed away in 2016, but her spirit will live on in her books.

Editorial Reviews

"Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise! What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new." Like many other llamas and non-llamas, the title character of this book greets his first day of preschool with excitement and anticipation. What he hadn't anticipated was that Mama Llama wouldn't be there for the full day! A reassuring story for every preschooler and every preschooler-to-be.

Llama Llama starts school in the third of Dewdney's gentle series. When Mama Llama waves goodbye to Llama Llama, he starts to feel sad. Despite Llama Llama's trepidations, bright colors and bold patterns make the school welcoming: the teacher is a hip zebra wearing pink and purple, and the other children (cat, goat, sheep and giraffe, among others) enthusiastically make art and play together. Slowly, Llama Llama comes around and decides that "he loves Mama... and school too!" The expressive animal faces and attention to detail make it a charming addition. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

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Publishers Weekly

Bright and early one morning Mama Lama awakens her little one and goes through the busy morning routine before driving him to preschool. Meeting the teacher, Llama hangs back and when Mama leaves he shyly waves good-bye from the window. Clutching his stuffed "lovie" Llama does not join in the games or activities, eats alone, and sheds quiet tears for the Mama he wants to return. Classmates sensitive to his feelings gently lure him into the rest of the days schedule until before he knows it… Mama is back. He runs to her open arms and at day's end concedes that he not only loves Mama but school, too. This universal childhood experience is treated with warmth and sensitivity. His anxiety over being separated from Mama is palpable as is his joy at her return. Rhyming couplets move the story along and the oil paintings with their soft palette accurately portray little Llama's range of emotions. This is perfect preparation and reassurance for little ones embarking on their first steps away from Mom. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

PreS-K

Dewdney's third book in the series retains the charm of the earlier titles. This time the little llama is starting school. He feels shy and lonely and misses his mama, but the day is saved by friendly intervention from his teacher and classmates. She reassures him, "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." The children invite him to play and keep him busy and happy until his mother arrives. In a satisfying conclusion, the little llama realizes that he can love both Mama and school. Emotionally realistic storytelling, a bouncing rhythm, skilled rhyming, and expressive paintings in bright colors make for a pleasing package. Youngsters just beginning school will relate to Llama Llama's feelings, and caregivers will appreciate the story's supportive message.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL

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