Picture Book Review: Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green and Garry Parsons

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green. Illustrated by Garry Parsons. 32 p. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc. June, 2021. 9781338736182. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Larry the llama is a rule follower by day and a dancing fool at night, when he breaks out the rainbow boa and rhinestone-studded hat. When three friends discover his hijinks, Larry runs away. He doesn't get far before he discovers a carnival where llamas and other animals dance. He returns to his pack, where he learns his friends have secrets as well. 

Can we librarians and teachers ever have too many books that encourage young children to be themselves? No. This energetic, humorous story-in-rhyme will engage and encourage empathy. The text is well-matched with dynamic, lively art. Be prepared to read this one again and again with as much ham as possible. 

Picture Book Review: What Ollie Saw by Joukje Akveld

Image: Levine Querido

What Ollie Saw by Joukje Akveld. Illustrated by Sieb Posthuma. Translated by Bill Nagelkerke. 56 p. Levine Querido, April 6, 2021. 9781646140398. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Ollie is a little pig of indeterminate age, but probably around six, who wears a blue beanie and can do without his know-it-all, grouchy sister. She grizzles everywhere, but most of all on family outings, which she finds very boring. Not Ollie though. The dull cows are water buffalo, which Ollie gleefully imagines stomping his sister. Dumb cars caught in a traffic jam are a parade in Ollie's view and a slow and boring sailboat ride is really a pirate ship. Ollie is happy with the way he sees things until he goes to school where his teacher is not happy with the way he sees letters and his classmates laugh at him.

Ollie needs glasses.

Unfortunately, glasses turn the extraordinary into the ordinary, which does not please him in the least.

This book is quite adorable, humorous, and engaging. The whimsical cartoonish art, we learn on a page entitled, "Some Notes on this Book's Production," was created with watercolor, pencil, and ink. We also learn that there are nearly 500 pairs of glasses decorating the endpapers. I just love it when publishers take the time to describe the media used. This page is terrific. 

What Ollie Saw is a first-purchase for any library. 

Picture Book Review: Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

Image: HarperCollins

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph. unpgd. Harper/ HarperCollins Publishers, December 3, 2019. 9780062367266. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publicist.)

Can one have too many books on the shelf about being oneself? Not if the book is Odd Dog Out, which is a story in rhyme that actually works in that it trips off the tongue quite easily. It's also jaunty and fun to read aloud. But the illustrations are the stars. Striking, exuberant, humorous and eye-catching all spring to mind. There's an energy that is just contagious in each spread. I'm getting ahead of myself. What's it about?

Odd Dog is, well odd. She stands out in a sea of dachshunds who all look the same. No matter what she tries to do, she just doesn't fit in, so she goes on a road trip to find her people. Of course, her people reside in Hollywood, only now everyone looks just like her. Is this a good thing?

Celebrating and encouraging differences should happen all year long; but now, during this reflective time of resolutions to be better, might be a nice time to share Odd Dog Out. As mentioned above, this book is great for reading aloud. Visit the link to the book's page on the HarperCollins website for a printable activity! 

If you have readers who love doxies (as my dachshund-loving friend calls them) they need to know about it. Display it prominently and it won't sit. I promise.