Llama Llama Misses Mama

The Llama, Llama books follow a very set format - something happens, the llama gets more and more frustrated, the llama throws a tantrum, and the grown-ups help fix things. Except this time he doesn't have a tantrum (he's growing up, clearly), he just starts to cry.

The author is very good at presenting children's emotions. You can see him getting more and more upset as the day goes on, including the famous "Llama Llama HATES that book" line. Perfectly accurate - when have you ever heard a cranky child say they "don't like" something? No, they always go for the strongest word they know - hate. And so do we. We say "I hate getting up at the crack of dawn" and "I hate being stuck in traffic" and "I hate when the milk spoils two days after show more it's bought". To say "I don't like this" would sound stilted and artificial - and we're grown-ups! Children have even bigger emotions and less experience dealing with them. I've never yet met the four year old who didn't use that word at some point, usually to their parents' chagrin.

Besides, it's clear that he doesn't hate books and reading in general, or even *that* book - he's scared and confused and he's expressing it the only way he knows how - by being a major crankypants. Perfectly normal.

So why did I only give this book three stars? Two reasons:

First, I think the resolution is a bit pat. He cries, his teacher hugs him, and then he throws himself into playing. Seriously? Not very realistic, even if it *does* fit into the 32 pages of this book. While I like that his reaction to Mama coming home is "You came back!" rather than "I WANT TO STAY!", it's still a little too easy. Yes, even for children starting school the first time. If they're the sort who has a rougher time of it they might be upset when they realize that a few days into the week they still don't like leaving their mom.

Second, and this is why I never have *paid for* any of the Llama, Llama books, I find the text a little clunky. I always have, in all these books. I find that the author uses the names "Llama, Llama" and "Little Llama" too much (how often, seriously, do you use somebody's name in conversation with them? This is why pronouns are invented), I find the constant steady beat to be a little trying, with some lines using odd phrasing or odd stress in order to fit (and the same goes for the rhymes in the book), and I find a lot of the story... well, sappy and twee. The closing line of this book is "Llama Llama loves his Mama... And he loves school too!!!!" and although it's a good sentiment, and probably an honest one, it's all I can do to not read it in the most syrupy voice this side of Mrs. Butterworth. I'm glad he loves everything now that he's in a good mood, but the way it's written - blech.

Of course, you know, that's just me. My nieces like the Llama, Llama books, so once in a while I check them out from the library for them and I haven't turned around and sent this one into their school as a "donation" yet. show less

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney is a tale about little Llama’s first day of school. The story is about how little Llama is a bit afriad and misses Mama Llama; a realisitic side of starting kindergarten that is often glossed over. I love how the book says it is ok to be upset and school is new and different. It also shows little Llama having fun and proudly showing off his school to his mama.

Other books in the Llama series are fun too: Llama Llama Mad at Mama-- little Llama doesn’t want to shop any more. Llama Llama Red Pajama—a hilarious going to bed book. Llama Llama Holiday Drama was a hit in our house during the holidays, it is also nice that it doesn't focus on Christmas and includes drawings of dreidels and holiday show more breads indicitative of other cultures and religions. show less

In my opinion, Llama Llama Misses Mama, is a great story for young audiences, however I enjoy reading the story aloud probably as much as children enjoy listening to it. The story focuses on a young, anxious llama on his first day of school apart from his Mama for the first time. Llama Llama is a relatable character to many young children who are just beginning school and may be uneasy about being away from their Mama too. It talks about strange new things and people llama encounters and how llama feels new and lonely. Change is scary and many children face this same conflict when they are introduced to new places, new people and/or new things. The llama is told “Don’t be sad, new little llama. It’s okay to miss your mama. But show more don’t forget when day is through, she will come right back to you.” When the teacher says this llama feels better and gives school a try, he makes some new friends and plays with new toys and ends up finding out something new: “He loves mama and school too!”
I like that the author chose to write in a melodic rhyming pattern throughout the story making it flow nicely and very engaging for young listeners. This book is ideal for reading aloud because of how well the sentences are structured to make the pace smooth and even. The vocabulary chosen for this story is playful and recognizable to young children making it easy for them to recognize, understand and soon begin imitating and reading along with you. My only complaint for this book is the wording on one of the pages. It says “would the llama like to look? Llama Llama hates that book.” Hate is a strong word for children of young ages to have in their developing vocabulary and I feel there is a better way to voice llama’s opinion instead of that word. Usually when I read this book to children I substitute the word “hate” for “doesn’t like.” Other than the strong language on that one page in the story, I really enjoy this book and I think it is very comforting and relatable to those children who struggle with being away from their parent(s)/guardians on a daily basis. show less

Little Llama goes off to preschool and finds the whole thing a bit scary, and gets surlier and surlier until he has a little fit. Then his teacher hugs him and he cheers up, then suddenly it's time to go home!
I like to read this at the beginning of a preschool session to show that it's okay to feel sad and a little overwhelmed, and that it's also okay to have fun and still miss Mom. It's not the most creative book, but it serves a good purpose, and it has a good cadence and cute pictures.

Llama Llama Misses Mama is a sweet and relatable story that captures the emotions of a young llama on his first day of school. When Mama Llama drops him off, he feels scared and lonely at first, but soon discovers that school can be fun and full of friends.
I love reading this story to my kindergartners during the first week of school. It helps them see that it’s okay to miss their families and that school can be a warm and happy place, too.

The story centers on a young, anxious llama experiencing his first day of school away from his Mama. Llama Llama is a character many children can relate to as they begin school, feeling uneasy about being separated from their parents. The narrative addresses the unfamiliar experiences and individuals he encounters, reflecting the feelings of newness and loneliness. Change can be daunting, and many children confront similar challenges when exposed to new environments, people, or situations.
The teacher reassures Llama Llama by stating, “Don’t be sad, new little llama. It’s okay to miss your mama. But don’t forget when day is through, she will come right back to you.” This comforting message helps Llama feel better, encourages show more him to give school a chance, and leads him to make new friends and discover new toys. Ultimately, he learns something wonderful: “He loves Mama and school too!” show less

The first day of school can be nerve-racking for some, especially when you have to depart from your caregiver. But this book will let you know that it'll be okay and you are not alone. Besides being super relatable and well-written, this book is full of great rhymes that will stick with you. The tension build is crazy that it hit me hard when it's just too much for Llama Llama and he sheds a tear.