Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa
By Anna Dewdney
Who can forget their first sleepover? Not the one at a friend’s house; I mean the one at Gram and Grandpa’s house.
Ms. Dewdney, with her “every child” scenarios in her Llama Lama series, is in very comfortable and relatable territory for most kids of picture book age.
The ritual of the first sleep over at a grandparent’s house is a biggie, what with the determination of what to pack along with the pj’s. It all takes some careful planning. Bag? Check. Fuzzy? Check. He’s on the back seat. And off you go.
Things at Gram and Grandpa’s are the same as at home, with familiar pictures on the wall of family members, yet it’s a wee bit different.
Okay, time to unpack for the night.
Wait a gosh darn second! Where is Fuzzy Llama? Anything amiss, he’s asked. Should he fess up or no? Better press on with tractor riding, gardening and outside play.
Momentary distractions fill the time with Grandpa’s woodshop. Together they fashion a just-right size chair for…. Llama can only imagine….. the left behind Fuzzy. Oops!
Dinner passes, plus a nighttime show from the stars. The traditional childhood routines of bath, toothbrushing, storytelling and the final good night smooch ensue.
A quivering lip from Llama Llama betrays all:
Fuzzy Llama isn’t here!
Will Llama Llama self-soothe, will the grandparents take him home to retrieve Fuzzy, or will Grandpa remember what it felt like to be Llama Llama, and provide a “fuzzy” solution all his own?
My money is on the wisdom and experience of Grandpa to provide a special much-needed, well-worn and much-loved toy, all of his own, to fit the bill in order to provide comfort.
Ms. Dewdney provides an important lesson for all children that find themselves, for a short or longer time, away from the familiar place that is home.
And that is, that a “home away from home” can be wherever there are good people that love us and care about us.
Night Night, Llama Llama!
Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!
I seriously don't know how the week flies by so fast! How is it Friday again already? I'm still doing Tuesday's work, so we need to back up the truck a bit! Or I need a personal assistant... any volunteers? :)
I've got another great book to share with you today, and I promise it's just a coincidence that like last week's it's in rhyme - I'm not going to post rhyming books every single week... probably... maybe... :) But this one is too good not to share. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!
Title: Llama Llama Gram And Grandpa
Written & Illustrated By: Anna Dewdney
Viking Books For Young Readers, September 2015, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-5
Themes/Topics: grandparents, common childhood experiences (first sleepover, transitional object), bedtime, language fun (rhyme)
Opening: "
Llama Llama, big big day!It's a first - a special stay!Pack up clothes and pj's tight - Llama's going overnight."
Brief Synopsis: Llama Llama is spending his first night away from home with Gram and Grandpa. There are lots of fun things to do - a tractor to climb on, a garden to explore, grass to mow, Grandpa's workshop to try out, and Gram's food to sample - but what happens at bedtime when Llama's special Fuzzy is nowhere to be found?
Links To Resources:
Llama Llama Matching Game, Coloring Book, and more fun stuff;
Curriculum Connections Guide for Llama Llama books, free downloadables and printables for teachers including desk plate, poster, and activities.
Why I Like This Book: If you've spent much time at all around this blog, you'll know I love Llama Llama :) This new addition to the collection is no exception. The story, written in engaging, fun-to-read-aloud rhyme, perfectly captures the emotion of a child's first time spending the night away from home. The illustrations are warm and comforting. Observant children will enjoy seeing (before Llama Llama does!) what happened to his Fuzzy :) And of course, there is that trademark sweet "aww" moment that makes all Llama Llama books so special. A great choice for preschoolers who are about to spend a night away, or for any child who enjoys the warmth and security of Llama Llama's world :)
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit
Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF bloggers please be sure to leave your post-specific link in the list below so we can all come visit you! I can't wait to see everyone's choices! Look out library, here I come! :)
Have a great weekend, everyone!
