Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Rating: 4 stars

I think we're the last ones to find out how fun this book, and the others in the series, is to read.  I saw it at Lorelei's preschool (she starts in just two months!) when we were visiting a few months ago, and it took me a long time to simultaneously remember it and order it up from the library.  Oops.  That happens a lot... 

But when we did order it, Lorelei couldn't get the title out of her head.  Days after we ordered it (together, at the computer) and days before we picked it up, she would walk around the house, reciting "llama llama, red pajama!"  She was SO excited to read it, and that was fun to watch.

But it's a really cute book with awesome pictures (the one of llama llama yelling for his mama makes Ben belly laugh every time) and a very fast rhyme.  I didn't realize how many words rhymed with llama till I read this book! 

I think the only downside, which is only a downside for some parents and their kids out there, is that this book is about being afraid of the dark.  If your child is currently afraid of the dark, I think it's a good book to check out or buy and read, because, of course, llama llama gets to sleep (on his own, and presumably through the night) at the end of the book.  But if your child is not afraid of the dark, like Lorelei wasn't before we read this book, a new complaint might crop up, as it did in our house: All of a sudden, Lorelei realized how dark her room is.  Humph.  So she has a new nightlight (that makes three) in her room, and that works.  For now!

For that reason, we've not checked out Llama Llama Misses Mama.  Yet.  Is it good?  Have you read it?

Another good thing about this book is the idea of "llama drama."  Like the other llama book we read, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, there is a page where Llama Mama scolds her baby, kindly but sternly scolds her: "No more of this llama drama!"  which is a good phrase to have in your back pocket if, by chance, there is a touch of child-caused drama in your house.

And here's a link to a video, not of us, but of another mom and daughter reading the book together.  It's cute and shows you every single illustration (including the funny one of llama llama yelling at the top of his lungs) and every single word of the book.  What a great way to preview a book!  Check it out by clicking here.