"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.
Publishers Weekly
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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School Library Journal
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
