Llama Llama Shopping Drama by Anna Dewdney
| Llama Llama Shopping Drama by Anna Dewdney | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: The second Llama Llama book ses our young friend having a tantrum in the supermarket. Beautifully done and fun for children and adults. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: February 2013 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1444910896 | |
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It's a few months since we first met Llama Llama. At the time he was suffering from night-time terrors, but today Mama is taking Llama Llama shopping and she promises that there'll be a treat when it's all finished. Llama Llama was happily playing in the sun: he doesn't want to go shopping and the trip doesn't begin well. It's a big building, with lots of signs and lots of aisles. He doesn't like the music, the ladies around all small far too sweet and he's staring at their knees. And that's before he gets to the agony of trying on sweaters and shoes. You know what's going to happen, don't you? Well, Llama Llama does it big time.
The story is lovely and every parent will recognise the scenario and the mayhem which results. The sullen child who was unable to do more than stamp a foot a few moments ago suddenly has an international-standard bowling action and a decibel count which is the equivalent of a 747 on take off. Mama is calm and reassuring though and deals with the situation admirably, bringing Llama Llama back on side with enviable ease and the point that she doesn't enjoy shopping either is gently but firmly made. It's all told in gorgeous, flowing rhyme which is a real pleasure to read aloud - if you can stop giggling, that is.
Lovely as the story is, it's the illustrations which grab me. Anna Dewdney has a supreme talent for capturing expressions. Just look at Llama Llama on the cover, with his mulish expression and the petted lip. You know the story from that one picture alone. And there isn't a single picture in the book which doesn't yield an extra gem the next time you read through it, be it the way that little Llama holds his teddy bear - to the feet behind him in the queue. Is that really an elephant? It's a book to read, to reread and chat about, with a message that's delivered with a gentle stroke of a llama's hoof.
Not all children's books are keepers but this one is. It's a fun read and as the rhyme flows well it's a fun read for adult and child. It provokes discussion and with a limited amount of text on each page and several repeated words it's one which the emerging reader will enjoy. I'd like to thank the publisher for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If you haven't already had a look at Llama Llama Red Pyjama you should. For more help with temper tantrums we can recommend Marvin Gets MAD! by Joseph Theobald.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Llama Llama Shopping Drama by Anna Dewdney at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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