Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Precious. Innoncence. Love. 
Bed Time Story. Llama Drama.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Written by Anna Dewdney.
Published by Scholastic, 2005.

When Mama Llama tucks Baby Llama into bed, she goes downstairs to do some chores. However, Baby Llama becomes nervous and afraid and calls for his mama. In this humorous and rhythmic read, Anna Dewndey depicts how, even though Mama is not always there, patience and love is what matters.

Literary Genre: Fiction
Reading Level: Lexile Framework AD670L, Grade K/1
Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud
ISBN-13: 978-0439906654

Review: From School Library Journal: “PreSchool-K–With its sweet rendering of the trials of bedtime and separation anxiety, this book's familiar theme will be a hit with youngsters. Baby Llama, all tucked in and kissed after his bedtime story, watches his mama leave the room with a worried expression on his face. When he calls her and she does not come back immediately, he succumbs to a fit of wailing and weeping, finally bringing his panic-stricken mother at a full gallop. After her reassurance that "Mama Llama's always near, even if she's not right here," Baby Llama settles and drifts off to sleep. This story has a simple rhyme scheme, using natural language that children will enjoy. The large, boldly colored pictures have a grand and sweeping quality, extending out to the edges of the pages. Baby Llama's facial expressions capture his fear and alarm wonderfully. The contrast between light and dark enhances the drama in the story. This effective read-aloud will be a popular choice for storyhour and one-on-one sharing. –Corrina Austin, Locke's Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”

Teaching Strategies:

• Vocabulary & Phonemic Awareness – Ask students if they know what llamas are. The teacher will write llama on the board so that students can see the letter-sound association. She will tell students where llamas come from and then have students draw a picture of their own llama. The teacher will ask what is the first sound in /llama/? Students should say /l/. *Extra - Do red and read begin with the same sound? This will help further their phonemic awareness skills. 
• Comprehension – Teachers will ask students to a few questions pertaining to the story to assess their understanding. For example, why did Baby Llama want Mama upstairs, what did Baby Llama do to get Mama’s attention, when Mama ran upstairs, what did she tell baby llama and why? Then students will draw a picture out of their favorite scene in the story. They will then have to share their picture in front of the class and explain what happened and why it is their favorite scene. 
• Rhyming Awareness – The teacher will ask students to point out the rhymes in the book. She will ask students to make a little book with all the rhyming words. She will ask students if mama and llama rhyme. Does red and bed rhyme? Does baby and story rhyme? Which one does not belong: mama, llama, bed? 

Additional Resources: 

• The Official Homepage of the New York Times bestselling Llama Llama books by Anna Dewdney - Click Here!
• Visit Anna Dewndey’s Blog. Includes what’s new with the author, interviews, fun games, and more! – Click Here!
• Learn more about Llama Llama Red Pajama on the Reading Rockets website! - Click Here!