Poetry

The Llama Who Had No Pajama - Mary Hoberman

Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1998. THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA. Ill. Betty Fraser. Boston: Sandpiper-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780152055714

 

This wide assortment of 100 poems covers a variety of topics that any child would find entertaining.  Just about any subject from insects and animals to hello and good-bye are discovered in this collection of poems.  Many of the poems are humorous while others will leave you pondering. 

Fraser's use of Winsor & Newton gouache and watercolor on bristol paper give the book an old-school feel and help capture the attention of the reader.  Some of the illustrations play on literal interpretations of the text which add more humor to the already funny text.  

Many of the poems have an interactive feel by asking questions of the reader or asking the reader to participate in some manner.  The poem "Yellow Butter" asks the reader to repeat the line: Yellow butter purple jelly red jam black bread.  The reader is asked to repeat the line three times before being scolded for talking with a mouth full. The poem "Anthropoids" has an excellent rhythm and repetition that could be used for two voices. Overall the poems in this collection are child friendly although readers of all ages will be engaged.  A wonderful supply of read aloud poems is contained within this collection.
 
School Library Journal-Hoberman's rhythms are lively and agile. . ."
Publishers Weekly-"inventively illustrated..."
A National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winner

*Show the YouTube video of Hoberman reading her poems:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaXfy5iri8
*Read the poem "O Is Open" and then write a poem for other letters in the alphabet