THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA

Bibliography:

Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1998. THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA. ILL. By Betty Fraser. San Diego, CA: Browndeer Press, Harxourt Brace & Co. ISBN 0152001115

Plot Summary:

An illustrated collection of 100 favorite poems about all sorts of subjects including; Wishes, Ducks, When I Need a Real Baby, and Growing. Experiences of childhood are portrayed through the poems.

Critical Analysis:

Young readers of all grade levels will love this book.  The book is title after one of its poems, “The Llama Who Had no Pajama.”  It is one of the longer poems that the author, Mary Ann Hoberman suggests (YouTube video) “one should close their eyes as they listen to it, because it’s a kind of sleepy a poem.”   

Hoberman writes her poems using silly, repetitive verses that kids can memorize with ease.  She uses rhyming words that creates a fun pattern for readers to say out loud.    Readers will love to read and re-read all of them.

A lot of the poems are related to animals and experiences that children go through; like birthdays and school.  Poems are organized in different stanzas and unique displays.

The illustrations are simple, yet have vibrant watercolor paintings. The details of the animals and insects have a realistic feel.  The scenarios are fun, enjoyable, and match the poem perfectly.  

If you happen pick up this book, make sure to pay close attention to the illustrations, it states that they were done in Winsor & Newton gouache and watercolor on Bristol paper.  Another cool fact is that this book was printed on totally chlorine-free Nymolla Matte Art paper.

Review Excerpts:

• "Poems drawn from Hoberman's previous works…are packaged to delight a new generation of youngsters. Children may be reminded of A.A. Milne's poetry…but Hoberman's poetry goes deeper, offering children a new way to look at things."--Booklist
• Gold Award Winner - 1998 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)
• Best Books of the Year - Child Magazine 
• "This collection of some forty years of Hoberman verse is a charmer. The poems - peppy verses immediately identifiable as Hoberman's by their use of alliteration and repeated words and lines - seem to cover every subject under the sun; all are dependably child-centered."--Horn Book

Connections:

Click on the link to see and hear Mary Ann Hoberman give a glimpse of how to read her poems as she recites them from the book THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA, on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/CiaXfy5iri8

 

Also by Mary Ann Hoberman;
YOU READ TO ME, I’LL READ TO YOU:
 Very Short Mother Goose Tales perfect to read together.
 ISBN 0316144312