Publishers Weekly
03/12/2018
In this addition to the Llama Llama series, carried on by the late Dewdney’s longtime partner Duncan, the titular character learns how to read at school. “No two letters are the same,/ but every letter has a name:/ It can be said. It can be heard./ Letters together make a word.” Llama Llama has a moment of frustration in class: “Llama’s hooves wave in the air./ Some words are hard—/ it’s just not fair!” Yet, at the library, Llama Llama and his classmates (including Nelly Gnu) are thrilled to discover that words come together to make books: “Look inside: O, what glory!/ All those words have made a story!” Morrow’s illustrations strongly resemble Dewdney’s in their range of expressiveness and the quality of warmth brought to the smallest of moments between Llama Llama and Mama. Ages 3–5. (May)
School Library Journal
05/01/2018
PreS-Gr 1—The most discerning "Llama Llama" fans will approve of this brand-new story from the combined efforts of Duncan, Dewdney's longtime partner, and Morrow, a master in illustration style mimicry. The story follows Llama Llama to a setting readers will be familiar with, and builds on his previous experiences with classmates, like Nelly Gnu, and his teacher, Zelda Zebra. Duncan cleverly inserts many fundamentals of phonics and sight words using Dewdney's signature rhyming style, making this perfect for children who have outgrown Llama's preschool drama and are learning to read themselves. Early literacy advocates will adore this aspect, and public librarians will likely seize every opportunity to incorporate it into parent education programs. Like the other books, the familiarity of Llama Llama's situations and life lessons are comforting and encouraging without being patronizing or tedious. The narrative respects the innate creativity in children and is the perfect launching point for inspiring new readers to go out and experience the wonderful world of the written word for themselves. VERDICT Dewdney devotees and book lovers everywhere will approve and hope to see more from this duo and the Anna E. Dewdney Literary Trust.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH
Kirkus Reviews
2018-02-13
Llama Llama is growing up and experiencing the frustrations and excitement of learning to read.Llama Llama knows the alphabet, but the next step is to put those letters together to make words. And putting those words together makes stories! Progress is slow going at first, beginning with familiar words such as Llama Llama's name and "love." But the pace picks up, and soon Llama Llama is a proud reader (all seemingly in one day). Some rhymes are a bit off, and the feel is more instructional than warm: "Words tell truth. / Words tell new things. / Words make songs / that we can sing! // Words are the very best of presents. / Words together make a sentence!" What shines is the tiny llama's perseverance and sense of personal achievement. "Who can't wait to read to Mama? / You're a READER, llama llama (sic)!" Duncan, Dewdney's partner and director of the Anna E. Dewdney Literary Trust, collaborated with the late, beloved author on the text of this newest in the series. Morrow closely follows Dewdney's art style with bright, bold colors and expressive animal friends. Perhaps inevitably, the whole package doesn't quite feel like a true Llama Llama book, but it is an adequate example of the learning-to-read genre.Fans of the series will always clamor for more, but this is not likely to be one that they will ask for again and again. (Picture book. 3-6)
