A Couch for Llama

by Leah Gilbert

Key Features Description A multiracial family loses a couch but gains a furry friend in this fanciful read-aloud of lost and found. “Realistic and ridiculous” -Kirkus A multiracial family loses a couch but gains a furry friend in this fanciful read-aloud of lost and found. “Realistic and ridiculous” -Kirkus Product Details Item #: NTS855300 9781338553000 Paperback Book 40 Pre-K - 1 Lexile® 560L Guided Reading GR Level L DRA 20 - 24 ACR 2.3 A Couch for Llama Paperback Book 4.46 Out Of Stock Out Of Stock Email me when back in stock Top {{#if inStock}} {{#if isSubscribe}} {{button.label}} {{else}} {{button.label}} {{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if isOutofStock}} {{oosMessage}} {{#if isTSO}}
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Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Fiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been eagerly awaiting the publishing of this book since the author told me about it in July of 2016. Leah Gilbert is my niece, so I have had the privilege of admiring her illustrations for many years. In my position as a librarian I see many picture books come through our doors. This is one of my favorites! The story is entertaining and the illustrations engaging. It would be great fun as a readaloud and I can envision libraries all over having llama-theme storytimes and sharing this book with the little ones who patronize their library.

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of a couch falling off a car and then being found by a llama is too silly for me, but maybe the kids will like it. I did like how the family repaired the couch at the end, showing that they took responsibility for and fixed their own mistake.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family buys a new couch after their old couch is worn out. On the way home, the couch falls off the top of the car and a llama finds it.

A story with funny pictures and a satisfying ending.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say that I may be sort of partial to this book. I am a lover of llamas and we also just happened to have had a new couch delivered to our house yesterday. Now can you see why this book was so relatable for me and my kids? The whimsical humor, the cute illustrations of the llama and family of five, it all came together as a wonderfully unique and entertaining read.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A llama's greatest wish is granted. . .one he didn't even know he had.

An active, full-of-life family is in dire need of a new couch. Off they go to the store, but while transporting the new piece of furniture back home, something goes terribly wrong. This sudden moment of bad luck is llama's fortune. He faces a couch in his pasture. . .now, if he can only figure out what it is and why it isn't as tasty as he'd hoped.

This is one to make llama fans' hearts beat faster. The llama is one curious creature, and really doesn't know how to handle that couch. His attempts at figuring it out are hilarious and take a very understandable progression. . .for a llama, that is. But even the Lago family has a wonderful part in all of this. They're easy to relate to and full of life and love. Young listeners and readers will find their first couch adventures funny too. Mom's might even cringe a couple of times.

The illustrations are just right and let the humor flow. The llama's and Lago's expressions in these pictures are priceless at moments. It's entertaining to flip through and gaze at these time and again.

This one gets a huge thumbs up from me and my kids.

I received a complimentary copy and loved this book so much that i wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Staff pick from the newsletter for OKC library. Ebook very well done, including terrific endpapers. Tags besides the satisfying humorous plot and illustrations are multi-racial family and 'waste not, want not' (being environmentally aware). Highly recommended to all families... whose morale wouldn't benefit from watching a cute llama figure out the best way to relate to a couch in his field?

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen some really fabulous new children's book lately -- imaginative, lush -- but this one might be my favorite with its less-is-more vibe. The illustrations are wonderfully simple. The llama's face is hilariously expressive. LG does so much with so few words -- one feels one knows this family and their couch and their pride in getting to purchase a new one and then their kindness to a sad llama who has learned he loves to be comfortable.

Genuinely amusing for grown up readers and for small boys being read to who will want to pick out their favorite funny llama faces.

[Mid-Continent Public Library]

The story of llama and how he gets his very own couch is written and illustrated by my niece, Leah Gilbert. Her whimsical illustrations perfectly capture this racially diverse families story and their interaction with Llama. A perfect picture book for a read aloud session.
Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge



Watch for Leah's next book, "The Fort," coming out from Bloomsbury in February of 2021.

[Athira (Reading on a Rainy Day) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lago family is shopping for a new couch when their old couch gets ruined from daily wear and tear. While driving home with their new couch, it flies off their car and lands near a llama, who is utterly captivated by the couch.

This is a very cute and funny story with lots of hilarious llama antics. Who doesn't like reading about llamas? This llama isn't sure about the couch at first - it this something to eat? something to play with? something that can talk? But very soon it figures out that it is something to lounge in and get very comfortable with.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I <3 this book! I immediately had to show it to anyone I came across & they loved it as well. Such an EXPRESSIVE llama! Illustrations and story are just precious. I agree the couch just wooshing off of the car and landing perfectly OVER the fence where the llama is grazing is a BIT far-fetched but hey, it's a children's book---get over it. :D

[Olivia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book, I love the illustrations. The Lago family needs a new couch, but when they are driving home with it, they accidentally lose it. Llama finds it. Although not sure what to do with it at first, llama ends up being a couch lover. Lovely. Maybe a llama-themed storytime??

[Melissa Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Couch for Llama” by Leah Gilbert is a humorous fantasy book published in 2018 is a perfect story for primary aged children. The family couch was good for all sorts of fun! When the Lago family needed a new couch, they dumped it on a farm where a llama spotted it. The llama was hungry so he decided to eat the couch. The llama didn’t like the couch so he tried to ignore it. When he got bored, he used it for recreational activities, such as bouncing and jumping. He ended up loving the couch! However, the Lago family wanted the couch back so they bought one for the llama to keep him happy.

The theme explored in this picture book is all good things must come to an end. Teachers could use this book to discuss the idea that we can’t keep everything; some things are meant to be thrown away after a while. Students could make a list of things they want to throw away or donate.

I listened to the story on Youtube but I thought the reader read the book too slowly. The pictures also didn’t match the words, which can be confusing to younger readers. However, the illustrations in the story aids in reading comprehension because it shows what is happening on each page. For example, the illustrations show the llama “whirled and twirled,” which helps readers understand these actions (video, 2:52). I also appreciate how the author used all capital letters to show a character speaking (video, 2:53). I think this helps young readers differentiate between what the author is saying and what the characters are saying, which would be a meaningful stopping point when reading this book aloud. I found this book on the Best Fantasy Books website and it was recommended by my local librarian.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and funny.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did this book have a llama jumping on a couch, it had a mixed race family! So very cute, kind, and funny. The llama has a really good time.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cute. A family gets a new couch and ties it to the top of their small car. As they're driving home, it flies off into a field, where a llama investigates it.

[Laela · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% silly. The illustrations make this book a perfect 5 out of 5 for me.

I like that there is a book out there about getting gifts you didn't know you wanted and finding out it is the thing that you need.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a couch suddenly appears in llamas field???? Find out!

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable and humorous children's picture book. Llama is a funny character who reminds me of some of my cats, and his interactions with the couch made me laugh. The art is bright and colorful and funny and delightful. I appreciate the racially diverse family that is depicted. I wouldn't suggest this for group reads, as many pages have multiple images, and children might miss out on the details if they weren't directly in front of the pages. But it would be terrific for reading with one or two children who can gather close and laugh at Llama's antics.

[Jason Dillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know not to judge books by their covers, but the title and illustration had me HOOKED! This is a fun read about a family couch and how the cutest llama in the world becomes involved (and attached) to the couch. In the end, both the family and the llama find exactly what they are looking for.

I would also like a stuffy that looks just like this llama. ⭐️

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. Couches are EXPENSIVE. If you buy one, borrow a friend's truck or have the store deliver it. Don't just strap it to the roof of your VW Beetle-esque car. These people deserved to have their brand new couch messed up by a llama.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is A Couch For Llama by Leah Gilbert, an adorable story of a family, a farm animal, and a comfy couch.

The Lago family loves their couch, and it’s been the site of lots of memories for them: playing pretend, family meals, tickle and pillow fights, painting nails, and movie night cuddles. After such a well-loved life, however, their couch is starting to get pretty worn, and they decide that it’s time for a new one. So they all head to the store to pick one that’s just the right size for all their family time. But on the way home, the unexpected happens: the couch falls off the roof of the car, unbeknownst to the Lagos. It’s here that the couch is discovered by a mischievous and stubborn llama, and a story of curiosity and kindness plays out.

This was fun! JJ happens to be a fan of llamas (mostly due to the Anna Dewdney stories), so I figured this one would be a hit, and it definitely was. It’s a simple story, with a gentle conflict and a lot of innocuous humor, with the main draw being the charm of both the Lago family and the delightfully expressive llama. There’s a subtle message of kindness and generosity near the end, but it’s mostly just a sweet tale with some delightful characters. The visuals are a vital element of this, creating equally adorable scenes of family bonding and llama inquisitiveness, with some clever details that tell as much a story as the text. The length is fine, and JJ and I had a lot of fun reading it. A fluffy, fun story to put a smile on any reader’s face, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Meredith Peace]

Summary: The Lago family loves their couch, but they need a new one because it is old and dirty. When they buy a new one it accidently falls off the roof or their car into a llama’s pasture. The llama is hesitant at first but loves the couch. When the Lago family realizes the couch has fallen off their roof, they look for it and take it from the llama. The llama is sad, so the bring their old couch to him.
Evaluation: This story is cute and lighthearted. Not all books need to have a deep meaning, sometimes they can be simple and heartwarming.
Teaching point: I would us this book to teach students to use pictures when reading a book. At the beginning of the story the text never says why the family needs a new couch, but in the pictures, we can see all of the things happening to it. In the middle of the story the llama goes from not liking the couch to loving it I the text, but in the pictures, we can see he loved it from the beginning.

[Lilith Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couch for Llama is one of those books that are just hilarious.

The Lago family is your typical family. They loved their couch. Eventually, it was so loved, it was time to find a new one. On their way home, the couch did not make it.

Llama on the other hand, was not sure what he just found. It was not an animal or food. It did not move or run.

Without giving the ending away, I have to say this book is just plain old funny. The storyline is great and engaging for kids. It takes place in nature and Llama was the perfect choice of character. The illustrations are great and overall just a fun read for kids.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine and were in no way influenced by outside sources. Feel free to contact me for more book reviews. LittleLadyPlays@gmail.com

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute story. A family uses their couch until it is worn out, so they go purchase a new one. However, on the way home the new couch falls off the car and lands in a field with a llama. Llama explored the couch and a very llamay fashion, before discovering how comfy it is. But the family still needs the couch! They do take the new couch away from Llama but bring them back the old couch and everyone is happy.
I'm all for hand-me-downs, but part of me is bothered that the Llama falls in love with the new couch, and the family takes it away to replace it with an old worn out couch they don't want any more. And really, they just leave a piece of furniture in some stranger's pasture--that is not cool. But that is my adult brain being boring. This is still a cute story about a Llama and a couch. Children will enjoy it, especially the expressions on the llama's face.

[Arminzerella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lago family finds the perfect new couch to replace their old, much used, very beloved couch, but on the way home it flies off the top of their car - landing in llama's field. Llama has never seen a couch before and doesn't know what to make of it. By the time the Lago family returns to pick it up, he's totally in love with it. There's an easy solution that pleases everyone - the Lagos take their new couch home (sewing up the hole where the llama chewed it), and give their old couch to the llama, who adores it. A sweet, funny story that kids and adults will love. The llama's expressions are priceless, and there's a lot of good stuff about families and togetherness and quality couch time.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most clever takes on a reuse/recycle story I've ever read. It almost feels like an excuse to illustrate an expressive llama in comical situations, poses, and predicaments, and yet it works better with a llama than with any other pasture animal I can imagine.
The diverse families early scenes, revealing the many ways in which they lovingly, creatively wore their couch out, are essential, yet make an extended intro to the inciting event: a couch landing in llama's pasture. The central premise becomes the relationship Llama develops with the couch, and every conceivable emotion plays out on the pages. There is depth for those who choose to analyze, but there is also lively action and gleeful visuals and plenty of reasons for a reader to ask: read it again!

[Isaac Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Couch for Llama is a book that is about a family who is searching for a new couch. Once they buy the new couch they begin to take it home. However, the couch flies off the car and into a pen with Llama in it. The llama finds out that it loves the couch and does not want to see it leave. However, the family brings the llama their old couch and everybody is happy.

I found this book to be very humorous. I have always found llamas to be funny and their mannerisms to be really humorous. It was good to see how the family responded with bring the llama their old couch.

I believe that this book would work well with teaching students that some things in life are not immediately joyful. It takes time to fully appreciate something beautiful.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families whose comfy couches are the centerpiece of their happy homes will definitely be able to relate to and enjoy this adorable story. The family in this sweet picture book cuddle, enjoy stories, eat, and play on the family sofa. Eventually it’s time to get a new couch. On the way home from the furniture store, the couch flies off the top of the car and into the field of a llama. Young readers will get a kick out of watching this animal fall in love and finding out how the family will get their new sofa back. The illustrations are very warm,cozy, and kid-friendly and they show family scenes that will be familiar to lots of children.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
A family needs a new couch after they decide that it is time to retire their well loved old one. Once they find the perfect new couch they hit a snafu and the couch falls off the top of the car. Suddenly Llama finds a couch in his pasture and he's not sure what to do with it. It doesn't want to share lunch with Llama and it doesn't talk to Llama. Llama decides it is useless... until he discovers that it is soft and cushy and bouncy! Oh what fun the couch is! But what happens when the family realizes that their new couch is missing?
A super cute Llama and a touching story make this a fun little read.

[Keri Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lago family shares alot of quality time on their couch and now it's time for a new one. After buying a new couch, it flies off the the top of the car and into llama's pasture. After initially not liking the couch or know its purpose, llama loves the comfortable couch. The family trades their old couch for the new one that llama has now worn-in. Simplistic and engagin illustrations with a beautiful multicultural family will leave all readers with a wonderful sense of love with a touch of humor.