Is Your Mama a Llama? [Paperback]

Deborah Guarino (Author), Steve Kellogg (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

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Category: Family
"She grazes on grass, and she likes to say, 'Moo!' I don't think that is what a llama would do."

In this favorite, whimsical rhyming riddles help Lloyd the baby llama guess what kind of animal everyone's mama really is. But it's his friend Lyn the llama that finally leads Lloyd to the answer he most longs to hear.

Is your mama a llama?

"An enchanting animal guessing game."-School Library Journal

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439598427
• ISBN-13: 978-0439598422
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The board book version of this popular recitation of animal characteristics is equally as delightful as other editions, with one key improvement: it's inedible. This robust reissue follows lovable Lloyd the llama on his quest to find out what percentage of the baby animal population has llamas for mamas. The rhymes are original and infectious, and the riddles are sure to have children shouting out the answers in anticipation of turning the page.

Youngsters often exhibit an insatiable appetite for adorable baby animals, and Is Your Mama a Llama provides plenty of fodder for fawning. Illustrator Steven Kellogg, however, manages to keep the pictures sweet without being saccharine. And rest assured, no matter how often your little one is compelled to kiss the critters, the sturdy board-book format will stand the test of time (and of course, slobber). (Ages 0 to 4) --This text refers to the Board book edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- An enchanting animal guessing game for preschoolers. Lloyd, a baby llama, asks each of his friends, "Is your mama a llama?," and all respond in turn with a rhyming description of their mother that is answered on the following page. Young listeners will delight in the playful rhythm of the text, and each riddle is sure to result in a resounding chorus of response. Kellogg's full-color illustrations of animals in their natural surroundings maintain their usual appeal and humor and will carry well to groups, while individual readers will be further rewarded by the subtlety and detail of the backgrounds. --Starr LaTronica, North Berkeley Library, CA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439598427
• ISBN-13: 978-0439598422
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deborah Guarino, author of the best-selling children's classic, "Is Your Mama a Llama?" (Scholastic, Inc.) is now celebrating her book's 23rd year in print! With more than a million copies sold, her playful book's popularity now spans two generations. It's available in five different editions, including a Spanish translation, and has been animated on DVD. It was recently chosen as the choice for Colorado's "One Book, One Denver" literacy event, during which more than a thousand copies were distributed to pre-schools and Head Start Programs citywide. It's also been selected by Oprah's Book Club for Kids, included in an episode of the prime-time series "Medium" and endorsed by actress Jennifer Garner, who recently became a literacy advocate on behalf of the Save the Children organization,in PEOPLE Magazine. Hey, its title was even a $2000 clue on "Jeopardy!" in 2010!

Born and raised in New Jersey, Deborah comes from a talented family that includes artists, designers, photographers and many, many teachers. She's lived in New York and London, and has been writing since childhood, publishing her first children's story in MS. Magazine when she was only 19. Since then she's written several produced plays--one broadcast over the BBC!--worked as an editor, copywriter and journalist, and, of course, become the popular author of "Is Your Mama a Llama?" So popular, in fact, that for the last 20 years she's frequently visited schools, libraries and literacy events across the U.S., giving lively, interactive presentations on writing and the creative process for children and adults alike. Her presentations, tailored to the age of her audience, are an exciting, eclectic mix of lively story-telling, improvisational theatre, original interactive songs, art, and funny, inspiring personal anecdotes that provide a firsthand, behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creative process and the determination and tenacity it takes to succeed in any creative field.

A single mom of two handsome and talented adult sons who are also pursuing careers in the arts, Deborah is also the proud "mom" of a menagerie of animals that includes three parrots, four cats, a fish, an iguana, a pigeon rescued as a chick from a theatre on Broadway and one very confused little dog named "Fuji" who inspire her work on a daily basis. If you're interested in having her visit your school or literacy event, please contact Scholastic at Scholastic.com or by e-mail at [e-mail].

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Instantly endearing! April 19, 2001

By abookbug

Format:Board book

I was first introduced to this book as part of a college course on literature for children, and instantly fell in love. Rythmic verses of this rhyming text with fill-in-the-blank style pauses at the end of each stanza help early readers learn to read, young children squeal with glee, and everybody within ear shot get the urge to get up and dance! In fact, a reading of this book has been produced on tape, with a wonderful latino-mambo background beat; it's also available in oversized format for reading in a group.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved by all my toddler nieces and nephews and their parents July 9, 2000

By Auntie Terri

Format:Board book

I've given this book to every one of my nieces and nephews between 1-3 yrs of age and they love it! (Disregard the 4-8 age recommendation) The rhymes are fun to hear, the words are silly and the pictures are cute! They just keep giggling and their parents laugh reading it to them! This is always a winner as a gift (especially for Moms on Mother's Day). I now give it to new Moms-to-be at the baby shower along with my other favorite, Barnyard Dance.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages! February 23, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Board book

Despite the recommendation that this book is for ages 4-8, my toddler absolutely loves it! She will bring it to me and insist on reading it over and over. The rhyming is wonderful, and so are the descriptions of the animals. Of course, the fact that my mother raises llamas makes this book even more dear to my daughters hearts.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very sweet book, makes you wish that your Mama was a Llama January 29, 2004

By L. Bentley

Format:Board book

My young daughters (now 3 and 7) dearly love this book. We have it memorized. It is sweet and the illustrations are beautiful. It is one of the few young books that I never get bored of reading. It is definitely a classic children's book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Curious and adorable little llama! August 29, 2006

By C. Bashara VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This was given as a gift and I'm so glad, because I'm not sure I would have purchased it on my own. This story of a inquisitive little llama teaches about exploration, discovery and diversity. The story is told through "whimsical rhyming riddles" (quoting the back cover) and the illustrations are gorgeous! This is a great way to expose your child to rhyming and different animals.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I know it by heart June 25, 2007

By melissa

Format:Board book

A friend of my parents gave me this book as a baby shower gift because her son loved it, and after continuously putting away outgrown clothes and toys over the past year, this book has outlasted every other gift!

I've been reading this to my son almost every night since he was born, and he gets a huge grin on his face as soon as I read the first sentence: "Is your mama a llama?" The story follows a little llama as he asks each of his animal friends this question. The rhyming is creative but has an easy flow as you read, which makes it good for keeping a little one's attention as well as for learning how rhyming works as they get older. The illustrations are colorful and detailed (not just outlines). My son always reached up to touch the orange "sun" that appears on several pages, so I kept telling him what it was, and now that he's older he will touch it if I ask where the sun is. I can see that this will be a good book to "grow into" as I read the description of an animal and he can "guess" what it is before I turn the page.

This book is a very special part of our bedtime ritual. At this rate we'll wear it out before the next child comes, but I definitely plan to buy another copy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for kids to hear and adults to read! September 20, 2005

By Sandra Ballard

Format:Board book|Amazon Verified Purchase

One of the rare children's books that is clever enough for the adults to enjoy but fun enough for the kids to like. Besides, using the "Rhonda responded" rhyme is a stroke of genius.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Has all the elements of a great kid's book March 25, 2005

By Jana Taylor VINE™ VOICE

Format:Board book

I have read this book to my son frequently, ever since he was about 9 or 10 months old. The book has a rhyme and rhythm to it, and my son even from a young age picked up on it and can anticipate each "part" of the story. I think that this is very helpful to get the young ones to begin to enjoy books. The words are used in a repetitive manner and I think it will help him learn them better, and he likes the illustrations of the animals. Even though he is still quite young, I know this is a book that he will cherish as he begins to read on his own.