Llama Llama Trick or Treat

July 28, 2014
In his sixth board book, Dewdney’s Llama Llama is in a great mood, and who can blame him, between costume picking (“What would Llama like to be?/ An astronaut? A bumblebee?”), pumpkin carving, and the promise of candy to come. Classmate Nelly Gnu can be spotted in a few of the scenes, including a closing spread of trick-or-treating, whose dark, rich colors really pop after all the white space on the preceding pages. A cheerful outing for kids just starting to enjoy Halloween. Up to age 3.

In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun. Dewdney's characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don-pointy teeth and a black mask and cape-is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney's characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells, the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa's arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.