My son (age 4) and I really enjoy the rhymes and the stories in Anna Dewney’s Llama Llama books. Llama Llama Home with Mama (Viking, August 2011) is no exception, and I particularly related to it since I was sick for much of the summer due to my early pregnancy. In this story, Llama Llama wakes up feeling sick and cannot go to school. Mama carefully nurses Llama Llama, only to begin sneezing herself!
Using Mama’s example, Llama Llama takes care of Mama, bringing her tissues and books to read. My son did this for me all summer when I was feeling unwell, and I found it so sweet. Dewdney’s book will remind kids to think of others, plus it’s a good book for those miserable days when our children are disappointed at missing that field trip or other fun event due to being sick. The bonus is that you can stay home with Mama (or Daddy…)!.
(Nominated for the 2011 Cybils awards by Liza Wiemer)
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher at BEA 2011.