Kirkus Reviews

Proving once again that she understands the preschool set, Dewdney shows what life is like when first Llama Llama and then Mama get sick. When Llama Llama's feeling "just not right" turns into a full-blown sickness complete with aches, sneezing, fever and sore throat, Mama sends him back to bed (wearing red pajamas, of course) and administers the inevitable yucky medicine. The listless boy struggles to occupy himself, but Mama saves the day with a book, after which he takes a curative snooze. But after lunch the tables turn—Llama Llama is feeling better, but Mama now has the sniffles: "Llama Llama, red pajama, / sick and bored, at home with Mama." Luckily, he's still in that delightful preschool stage where helping out is a favorite playtime activity, and he has learned how to care for sick people from a master. A fluffed pillow, new box of tissues and stack of books are just what Mama needs. While his actions are sweet and endearing, it's the togetherness that sets both on the road to recovery. Dewdney's artwork is the ideal foil to her rhyming verses—her characters' bleary, sick expressions alone are sure to elicit giggles and knowing smiles. A worthy addition to the Llama collection, just right for readers' own sick days. (Picture book. 3-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

When Llama Llama wakes up with a cold, Mama Llama feels his forehead, looks at his throat, and sends him back to bed to rest. Later, she reads Llama Llama a story and makes him some soup, but while Llama Llama is on the mend, Mama is starting to feel sick herself: "Get more tissues. Bring a cup./ Fluff a comfy pillow up./ What else could Mama Llama need?/ How about some books to read?" Dewdney's rhymes are as cozy as ever, and she captures the frustrations of both those who are ill and those who have to attend to them: "Mama coughs, and Llama yawns..../ How long can this day go on?" Readers of any age who have been there will relate. Ages 3-5. (Aug.)

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Achy, fever, stuffy head...Llama Llama back to bed.

School Library Journal (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

PreS Fans of Llama Llama will want to stay home from preschool and read this with their own mamas. Llama is sick with a sore throat, and children who have to take "yucky" medicine will relate to how he feels. Llama Mama takes care of him, and just when he starts to feel better, she gets sick. He knows just what to do to make her feel better, and after rest, and a comfy pillow, the two cozy up in bed and share a book. The story has wonderful rhyming phrases and large, colorful illustrations full of priceless facial expressions and body language. Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH