The Llama Who Had No Pajama
By Mary Ann Hoberman. Illustrated by Betty Fraser.
Hoberman, M. A. 1998. THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA. New York, NY: Browndeer Press. 0-780758-743985.
The Llama Who Had No Pajama is a collection of 100 poems written by Mary Ann Hoberman. Her collection of poems is a range of topics from animals, to weather, to applesauce. Hoberman adds a table of contents and index of first lines that allows readers to easily locate any of the poems in the book.
Many of the poems contain rhyming words, whether found in the line or at the end of the lines, which is more engaging for the young readers that the book is recommended for. Most of the poems have a natural rhythm to them as well, such as how the words in the title poem seem to bounce off the page. My favorite example of the rhythm is the last three lines when llama says to Mama Llama, “Well, why in the world,/ In the wumberly world,/ Should llamas be wearing pajamas?” The playful images, such as llamas wearing pajamas, and the rhythm make this book enjoyable for readers. One of my favorite poems in the collection is Counting-Out Rhyme (p 53). The rhyme and rhthym of the poem make it a fun read aloud.
On most of the pages, the illustrations are not overwhelming but instead they compliment the poems nicely. In the title poem the illustrations show the llama as he tries on his too-small pajamas, but then discovers he sleeps nicely in just his fur. The pictures tell the story and keep the pace for the poem. For most of the animal and insect poems, Fraser adds accurate and simple drawings. I like the way Fraser carefully places the illustrations on the page, like when the insects are crawling throughout the sheet and the click beetle does his classic flip (p 49).
Awards:
Gold Award Winner - 1998 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)
Best Books of the Year - Child Magazine
Reviews:
"Want to give young ones the fun of rhyme, rhythm, and word play? Then look for The Llama Who Had no Pajama. There's no reason to wait for poetry units at school to introduce children to verse when Mary Ann Hoberman can do it with her collection of 100 poems."
Christian Science Monitor Best Children's Books
"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
"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
Mary Ann Hoberman has charmed us for years with her singable, readable, factual, fantastical poems. Now we have a collection of 100 of her favorite poems in The Llama Who Had No Pajama, stylishly illustrated by Betty Fraser. Whether writing about animals or insects, e.g. "O Mrs. Mosquito, quit biting me please! I'm happy my blood type with your type agrees..." or about the human condition as in "Changing"--I know what I feel like; / I'd like to be you/ And feel what you feel like/ And do what you do..." or chanting an ode to the letter O--"O is open/ O is round/ O's a circle/ O's a sound..." her musicality sparkles. What fun she has with the sound "bit" in "A rabbit/ bit/ A little bit/ An itty-bitty/ Little bit of beet. /Then bit/ By bit. / Because he liked the taste of it..." 1999, Browndeer Press/Harcourt, Ages 4 to 8, $20.00. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
Children's Literature - Childrens Literature
Although perhaps best taken in small doses, 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. There are insect riddles ("A big buzz / In a little fuzz") and animal tongue-twisters ("O gaze on the graceful gazelle as it grazes") as well as an ode to slippers and a paean to the versatility of applesauce. The ordering of poems is pleasingly informal but thoughtful. Further bonuses are Betty Fraser's delicate yet merry watercolors (Fraser also illustrated Hoberman's classic A House Is a House for Me) and the varied, imaginative page design that never overwhelms the text. Indexes.
Horn
K-Gr 4Hoberman's poems, accompanied by Fraser's illustrations, have been delighting children for 40 years. Now, many poems from their out-of-print books are available in this satisfying collection. The selections are mostly humorous, sometimes contemplative, and deal with animals, family, play, and plain silliness. Hoberman's rhythms are lively and agile, and her imagination and sense of humor are still in tune with young readers. Fraser's simple but detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations exhibit the same qualities. The layout is masterfully varied and never overwhelms the poems. There is a table of contents as well as an index of first lines. Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite.Nina Lindsay, Vista School, Albany, CA
School Library Journal
Mary Ann Hoberman pulls together 100 of her poems on a variety of subjects. Many of them of appeared previously, but this compilation is made particularly appealing due to the lovely artwork of Betty Fraser. Many will tickle the funny bone such as "Ducks," "Waiters," and "Applesauce," while others are riddles and still others just take a fresh look at everyday events, insects and things.
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Connections:
Math
How Many? Pp 22-23
Use the poem for problem solving.
“Backwards Day” Pairing
Use the poem “The Folk Who Live in Backward Town” pg 45 with the book Princess Backward
Science
Patterns in Nature:
Hello and Good-by pg 7
Weather:
Hello, Rain pg 13
Windshield Wipers pg 13
Oviparous Animals:
Eggs pg 58
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