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The Littlest Llama
The littlest llama has a problem—one that every child will understand. He’s eager to wrestle, jump, and chase all day, but there’s no friend nearby who wants to play.
“…the grown-up llamas had work to do. They had food to find and cud to chew...There was no one to play with the littlest llama.
No one had time, not even his mama.”
So the dejected little guy sets off without a goodbye in search of a playful pal. Soon he’s crossing the ridges and bridges of the high altiplano where he lives. But is he going too far? And who will he find?
The charming Andean-themed art features soft and gentle hues, as well as beautiful page borders that look like traditional weavings. Plus, they turn llama’s journey into a fun game, as kids try to locate the rattlesnake, chinchilla, cougar, and other animals in the images. A preoccupied llama may not notice them—but children will find the varied and unusual creatures irresistible.
The satisfying ending will delight everyone, and every child will relate to llama’s desire for a playmate and joy at a new sibling.
“…the grown-up llamas had work to do. They had food to find and cud to chew...There was no one to play with the littlest llama.
No one had time, not even his mama.”
So the dejected little guy sets off without a goodbye in search of a playful pal. Soon he’s crossing the ridges and bridges of the high altiplano where he lives. But is he going too far? And who will he find?
The charming Andean-themed art features soft and gentle hues, as well as beautiful page borders that look like traditional weavings. Plus, they turn llama’s journey into a fun game, as kids try to locate the rattlesnake, chinchilla, cougar, and other animals in the images. A preoccupied llama may not notice them—but children will find the varied and unusual creatures irresistible.
The satisfying ending will delight everyone, and every child will relate to llama’s desire for a playmate and joy at a new sibling.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2008
1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 4, 2008
Although the book had a wonderful rhyme to it and a good story line, I was not impressed with a couple of the adjectives used. My lil one picks up on things very easily, and listens very carefully to what is being read. Books are often used as a tool for them to relate to. Whether it be animals representing their childlike behaviors and or essence, books are often used as a roleplay so-to-speak. So, when a llama says I will spit on you, or when the aunt is referred to as fat...I had to jump over the words. Granted llamas spit and the aunt was pregnant...I still found that the words chosen were not necessary.
May 31, 2024
The illustrations are AMAZING! The storyline was okay. I think this is a worthwhile book, but one that can be talked over at times while reading with a little one to enhance the experience and make up for the okay writing. Such as where are the guinea pigs? Can you find the chinchillas? Why do you think ______ would think/say/feel that?
April 6, 2019
This book is lighthearted and interesting. I think most children would enjoy reading this book and would pay attention as the llama goes looking for a friend. The pictures are also very well illustrated and give the reader clues that help in finding the meaning.
December 2, 2011
The Littlest Llama by Jane Buxton, illustrated by Jenny Cooper tells of a small llama who can't find anyone to play with, so he goes off to search for a playmate.
Dejected because his mother, aunt, sisters and grandmother are all either busy or don't want to play, the littlest llama goes in search of a playmate. He doesn't see a rattlesnake, chinchillas, a cougar, an Andean condor, some armadillos or some guinea pigs. He does, however, get scared by a kickball and runs home. There he discovers his aunt has given birth to a llama even smaller than he is. But when she asks to play with him, he feels tired, and tells her "tomorrow".
The text rhymes and is in a large bold font. A glossary and Can You Find section are located on the CIP page at the front of the book.
The animal illustrations are cute and use the colors of the Andean high deser,t or altiplano, which is appealingly portrayed. The animals are easy to find (unless you are a small llama, apparently). The page borders look like Andean weaving patterns.
I didn't initially note the glossary or the Can You Find section at the front of the book - normally I'd expect those to be at the back of a book. The rhymes are OK. Calling a pregnant animal (or woman) fat is not very acceptable these days. While Can You Find features are fun, these are pretty easy to find. I also wonder how well "playing with a rattlesnake or a cougar might work for a llama? Seems like a bad choice to me. Including different South Anerican animals, portraying the geography, and showing how llamas behave are all valuable. Those features raise this to a 2.5 rating for me, but I might reword a couple things, or add an explanation if reading it aloud.
For ages 4 to 7, South America, animals, llamas, and fans of Jane Buxton and Jenny Cooper.
Dejected because his mother, aunt, sisters and grandmother are all either busy or don't want to play, the littlest llama goes in search of a playmate. He doesn't see a rattlesnake, chinchillas, a cougar, an Andean condor, some armadillos or some guinea pigs. He does, however, get scared by a kickball and runs home. There he discovers his aunt has given birth to a llama even smaller than he is. But when she asks to play with him, he feels tired, and tells her "tomorrow".
The text rhymes and is in a large bold font. A glossary and Can You Find section are located on the CIP page at the front of the book.
The animal illustrations are cute and use the colors of the Andean high deser,t or altiplano, which is appealingly portrayed. The animals are easy to find (unless you are a small llama, apparently). The page borders look like Andean weaving patterns.
I didn't initially note the glossary or the Can You Find section at the front of the book - normally I'd expect those to be at the back of a book. The rhymes are OK. Calling a pregnant animal (or woman) fat is not very acceptable these days. While Can You Find features are fun, these are pretty easy to find. I also wonder how well "playing with a rattlesnake or a cougar might work for a llama? Seems like a bad choice to me. Including different South Anerican animals, portraying the geography, and showing how llamas behave are all valuable. Those features raise this to a 2.5 rating for me, but I might reword a couple things, or add an explanation if reading it aloud.
For ages 4 to 7, South America, animals, llamas, and fans of Jane Buxton and Jenny Cooper.
July 15, 2009
The littlest llama can't find anyone to play with him so he sets off on an adventure, only to be scared back home by the ball of some playing children. The text is serviceable, but a little long for the toddler crowd; this would probably be best for older preschool children/ kindergarteners and on up. Jenny Cooper illustrates with a color palette that represents the high plains/desert setting and her little llama looks as sweet as can be. Cooper also uses some South American motifs for borders and she has included a seek and find game of other South American animals in the illustrations. A list of animals to look for as well as a brief glossary are included on the CIP page. A lovely book that works well for older storytimes or could work as a curricular connection for units on South American animals.
Used for llama themed family storytime July 14th, 2009.
Used for llama themed family storytime July 14th, 2009.
September 8, 2009
The illustrations are adorable, and perfect for animal lovers as you'll see lots of cute South American critters like chinchillas and guinea pigs and even a puma! The story is rather mundane, about the littlest llama in the herd who wants to play--and wants someone with whom he CAN play, but all the bigger llamas are too busy so he goes on an adventure of his own. The "surprise" ending was just not satisfactory to me, though, because I thought the little llama should have been more sympathetic given his own experience!
February 1, 2011
Liked the illustrations and the idea of the story. Even liked the rhymes.
Definite possibilities for discussing habitats. If the altiplano happens to be in your course of study, anyway.
Just think that some of it could have been tweaked a little. Grandmas who spit. Aunts who are fat (and don't explain why). That could have been avoided, I think.
Definite possibilities for discussing habitats. If the altiplano happens to be in your course of study, anyway.
Just think that some of it could have been tweaked a little. Grandmas who spit. Aunts who are fat (and don't explain why). That could have been avoided, I think.
February 3, 2015
3.5 stars I might just be a little tired but I liked this book but I didn't love it! I liked the rhymes and the sentiment but the pictures were very monochromatic. When you looked closer and saw the Armadillos, Chinchillas, vultures it was nice detail.
If you like llamas this is the book for you!
If you like llamas this is the book for you!
December 14, 2011
Cute rhyming story with beautiful illustrations
High in the Andes Mountains, the littlest llama wants to play but his mother, sisters, gran, and aunt are busy, and so he leaves the herd to seek a playmate and finds adventure, instead.
High in the Andes Mountains, the littlest llama wants to play but his mother, sisters, gran, and aunt are busy, and so he leaves the herd to seek a playmate and finds adventure, instead.
March 19, 2017
I liked this book more than my 4-year-old. It was an interesting introduction to a llama's habitat, and we liked finding the animals on every page. The rhyme scheme worked well, and the illustrations were pleasant. My son only wanted to read it once and hasn't requested it again, though.
October 29, 2011
sweet little rhyming book about a llama who needs a play friend. Very cute.
July 9, 2015
Exquisite illustrations; the animals are very nicely done.
September 5, 2015
OK - for storybook for young students -- Peru/Andean altiplano. Besides llamas, many other Andean animals depicted.
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September 23, 2008Story about a young llama's dventure and life style.
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March 22, 2019I really liked this book. It reminded me of Rudulph. Except that it is like the Spanish version. It talked about a animal that was different. Plus it had no one to play with.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews