An Open Letter To Anna Dewdney

Dear Ms. Dewdney,

I. Love. Llama Llama.

I was given a copy of Llama Llama Red Pajama at my baby shower. At the time, I thought the book was cute, but had no idea just how huge a presence you and your characters were to have in my life. As a mother to the smartest 17 month old ever, I now have all of your books memorized. If there is ever a Llama Llama emergency, I am your girl and can launch into a mean oral storytelling at a moments notice. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.


Llama Llama Misses Mama is the text that helped my little Mini feel better when Mama had to go to work. I’m telling you, she’s making text to self connections already and if that doesn’t blow your mind…girlfriend also recognizes your picture and says “Doo-ney!” every time.

Quick question- do you think you could crank out another Llama Llama book? While I LOVE what you’ve done, I have to admit that reading them one more time might drive me to drink more than I already do.

However, I’m not just writing to tell you that I would throw my arms around you if I ever met you in person. (Which I would.). I’m writing to ask if you want a partnership. Anna…can I call you Anna? Anna, we need to get more parents to read regularly to, with and in front of their children. The most common complaint I get from early childhood teachers is that their students come in with very little language and have limited schema to help them understand new books. Reading does not seem to be a valued part of their home lives. Now I know people are busy and lives are complicated but, can I be honest with you here? Sharing books with my Mini has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Watching her language take off, her eyes light up at a favorite character and having her grab my hand to read in our favorite chair makes my heart sing with nerdy pride.

We need to spread the word. How easy it is. How wonderful it is. How it can change so much.

Thanks for your time and for little Llama,
Mimi