Maria Had a Little Llama

Book Overview: "Maria Had a Little Llama" (Spanish title: "María Tenía Una Llamita") is a bilingual adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb," written and illustrated by Angela Dominguez. The book was released on August 20, 2013, and is set in rural Peru, providing a unique cultural twist to the traditional rhyme.

Plot Summary: The story follows Maria, a young girl living in a traditional Andean village in Peru. Instead of having a lamb, Maria has a mischievous little llama. The plot is a straightforward adaptation of the original rhyme, with Maria and her llama attending school and causing a bit of trouble along the way. The text is presented in both English and Spanish, with the English text in bold and positioned above the Spanish text on each page.

Key Themes:

1. Cultural Diversity: The book celebrates Peruvian culture by setting the story in a traditional Andean village, introducing readers to a lesser-known part of the world.
2. Bilingualism: The bilingual presentation of the text highlights the importance of language and culture, making it accessible to readers who speak both English and Spanish.
3. Friendship and Mischievousness: Maria and her llama's adventures showcase the joy and mischief that can come from having a loyal companion.

Critical Reception: The book has received positive reviews for its unique approach to a classic rhyme and its culturally informative content.

• Kirkus Reviews: Describes the book as a "fresh and enjoyable reimagining of a traditional children’s rhyme" with "warmly affectionate gouache-and-ink artwork" that transports readers to Peru. The review praises the bilingual presentation and the engaging illustrations.

• School Library Journal: Highlights the book's distinctive flavor and feel, noting that the words "leap around the page" in a way that clarifies the bilingual nature of the book. The review praises the attention paid to both languages and the Peruvian-inspired illustrations.

• Three Books a Night: Calls the book "unique, culturally informative, and just plain stunning," emphasizing its bilingual adaptation and the stunning illustrations.

• All About Books: Summarizes the book as giving a "fresh new twist to the classic rhyme" with "gorgeous, Peruvian-inspired illustrations" and bilingual retellings.

Overall, "Maria Had a Little Llama" is praised for its creative adaptation of a classic rhyme, its culturally rich setting, and its engaging bilingual presentation.