Is Your Mama a Llama

     Is Your Mamma a Llama by Deborah Guarino

Illustrator: Steven Kellogg

Publication: Scholastic

Date of Publication: August 1, 1997

ISBN #: 9780590413879

Pages: 28

Theme: Family, Growing Up, Animals

Format: Print, Picture Book, Fiction

Age:   4-8

On a journey to find his mother, a young baby llama goes in search to find his mother by asking six other animals if their mothers are llamas. An excellent little story told in a poetic form about a child learning about his mother and other animals.

The story takes place in the wild and follows the life a young llama that is separated from his family and own kind. The baby llama goes in search of his mother and comes across a bat, swan, cow, seal and a kangaroo before finding his mother, Llyn and the rest of the llama pack.

If there are important names to know when it comes to children’s literature, Steven Kellogg is one name you should know by heart. His imagery and visuals are captivating and children and parents alike love his work. The illustrations in this story are great and full of color. His work in Is Your Mama a Llama, is soft and soothing to the eyes. It’s a story that really doesn’t need words because the pictures tell the story.

The major theme in this story revolves around family and growing up. Lloyd, the young llama we’re introduced too seems to be separated from his mother and the llama pack and goes on a journey to understand who he is and what differentiates other animals from him. He comes across several animals, like a bat, swan, seal, and kangaroo before he realizes their mothers are not even close to looking like llamas and soon realizes what makes him and his own breed unique and special. This would an excellent story to include in a story hour focusing on animals and mothers and their infants.

If there’s one story I can remember from my youth, I would say Is Your Mama a Lama stands out the most. A fun story told in verse, it was a story that I was able to understand due to the illustrations. I am more than certain I made my mom read this book at least every other night before going to sleep. 

(images via google)