Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa (Llama Llama)

Dewdney tackles the topic of staying at Gram and Grandpa's overnight. Llama is excited for his special visit as he packs up his clothes and his stuffed animal, Fuzzy Llama. However, when he unpacks, he realizes, rather upsettingly, that his comfort object was left behind. Gram and Grandpa spend the day distracting little Llama by playing outside or building in the workshop, but with each activity, he anxiously remembers Fuzzy Llama's absence. While the text carries along with a seemingly pleasing nighttime routine ("Take a bath./Then comb and brush./Settle in for stories. Hush./Finish books/and get a kiss"), the illustrations show Llama looking more distressed and anxious before bed. After Gram asks what's the matter, we watch as "Llama's lips begin to quiver./Llama starts to shake and shiver./Llama needs his Fuzzy near, /but FUZZY LLAMA ISN'T HERE!" The following page shows all three Llamas looking at readers for help. Quickly, it's Grandpa who finds a solution. Grandpa offers a special toy from when he was just a little boy. In a satisfying ending, Llama realizes he's not alone and that he's in his "home... away from home." With a carefully crafted rhyming text and comforting painted images that match genuinely the emotion of a toddler's first night away from home, this book is a charming success. VERDICT Parents and caregivers will appreciate the reassuring message that this story offers for one-on-one sharing, and it will function as a heartwarming read-aloud in a bedtime-themed storytime.—Brianne Colombo, Pequannock Township Public Library, NJ