Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Llama is inspired to create "Something special. Something lovely." Her friends (Rabbit, Raccoon, Deer, etc.) join her, quilting, beading, painting, and weaving as she knits. Then Beaver arrives, and his need to create something "useful" prompts Llama to consider how her knitting might be put to practical use. Gauzy, pastel-colored pencil illustrations reflect the animals' gentle activities and calm friendships as they share their "special, crafty, useful" talents.

Kirkus Reviews

Llama and Beaver both enjoy making things, but for different reasons.One day, Llama decides she wants to make something but isn't sure what. Nevertheless, she starts knitting. Friends visit, and each decides to start on a project, too. One paints, and others embroider, bead, weave baskets, or sew. Beaver drops in on the crafty gathering. He likes to make things, too, but his projects have to be "useful." He asks Llama how her knitting will be used, but she admits she has no idea. Friends gather to suggest different ways it could be used—as a sail, rocket ship, hot air balloon basket, each depicted in meticulous stockinette stitch that's hand-drawn but almost looks photo-collaged in—but none seem safe. Beaver leaves to think up an idea of his own. Thinking harder, Llama discovers ways her knitting can be useful—and Beaver ends up making something useful but lovely too. Soft-edged, whimsically anthropomorphized animals are downright adorable, especially as each friend shows their gratitude to Llama for their new, knitted "somethings" (a trunk carrier for Elephant; a turtleneck for Turtle). Husband-and-wife team Kerr and Liwska combine their love of handmade crafts in this book designed to spark interest in crafts with young readers. Like Llama and Beaver, they will see that despite having different outlooks, there are many ways to work together.A sweet meditation on the value of creating, regardless of use. (Picture book. 2-6)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

K-Gr 2 The message of this fun story is simple and pertinent: If you do things that make you happy, you are bound to share that happiness with others. Llama is presented with a beautiful day and knows that there are tasks she should be doing, but she wants to do something special. So, she begins knitting, trying to think of what she can do on her special day, and as she knits, other animal friends join her to work on their own crafts. At the end of all her thinking, she has many special creations to give her animal friends. They love them, except for Beaver who doesn't know what to do with his gift. He has trouble understanding crafting and making unless it's useful, but with a little help from Llama, and a little crafting of his own, Beaver is able to figure out that making for fun is very useful. The illustrations are cozy and delightful, just like the text. VERDICT A fun and inspiring read-aloud for student makers and a first purchase for elementary school libraries. Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI