llama llama misses mama
Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 978-0-670-06198-3
Imagine that… a child having a hard time adjusting to school. Major life transitions are tough… especially for a child! As adults, I am sure most of us can look back to that time when we were children and faced a similar situation. Llama’s reaction is a very common one.
Like most children, Llama has a smile on his face as his mother helps him prepare for the day. Then the reality of going the whole day without her sets in as Mama drives off, and he is left alone in school with a lot of “new”. When Llama secludes himself from classroom activities, the teacher knows just how to turn his frown upside down. With the help of the class, the teacher assures Llama that every day his mama will come back to get him. Finally he lets loose, and settles into the daily routine of school.
I clearly remember my first day of preschool. The second my mom tried to leave, I cried as loud as I could and latched onto her. It seemed so scary at the time, so much “new” all at once! I can definitely relate to Llama, and to children I teach in my preschool class who experience separation anxiety. llama llama misses mama has helped a great deal with these children, and the children who are well-adjusted really enjoy the book as well.
llama llama misses mama is a wonderful book for children for many reasons. The rhyme, rhythm and repetition of the story keep the children’s ears wide open as we flip through the pages of Llama’s emotional day. To complement the literature, Dewdney illustrates every page with vivid depictions to match the text. The proof is in the pudding. I have read the book to my students several times and each time it was a hit.
Hey Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI love this week's blog. I have to admit that I have never read Llama Llama Misses Mama, but after reading your blog I certainly plan to. I think it was awesome how you incorporated new material that we learned in class this week, like the "3 R's" for example. I also loved the text to self connections that you made. Starting school can be so nerve wrecking, not only for the children, but for their parents and teachers too. This book seems like such a great read, especially in the younger grades during the first few weeks of school. I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs :)
-Nicole