Come, Llamas
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
It's springtime on the Kinnaman Ranch in Alaska, and nine-year-old JT is excited for the best season yet. He aims to become a pitcher for his school's baseball team and raise his very own llama as promised by his Grandad. When baby llama Elmo is born, JT has big plans for him, training him every night after baseball. However, challenges arise as Grandad's health declines, a bear attack leaves Elmo injured, and many llamas are lost. Despite these hardships, JT is determined to adapt to the changes on the ranch and make his Grandad proud.
Age
8-12
Length
210 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the llamas learned about friendship in this story?
How did the llamas help each other when they faced a problem?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like the llamas did?
Why is it important to work together, just like the llamas did in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, ensuring they understand the themes.
Relate the llamas' adventures to real-life scenarios your child might face to help them connect with the story.
Ask your child to imagine alternative solutions to the problems faced by the llamas, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
After discussing, engage in a creative activity, like drawing a new adventure for the llamas, to solidify the themes discussed.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Come, Llamas,' the llama characters solve problems together, showing the power of working as a team to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their interactions with peers, learning to collaborate effectively in group projects at school or during playtime.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The llamas often encounter unexpected situations, and the story emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adapting to change.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children adjust more easily to changes such as moving to a new environment, switching schools, or dealing with shifts in their routine.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout 'Come, Llamas,' the characters face various challenges but persist and maintain a positive attitude regardless of the obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere in the face of difficulties, whether they are tackling a tough subject in school or managing personal trials.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights how the llamas support and care for each other, reinforcing the value of true friendship.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to build strong, supportive relationships with their peers and to be good friends to others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: 'Come, Llamas' subtly teaches children to consider the feelings of others, as the characters often interact with a variety of emotions displayed.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial in helping children develop their emotional intelligence, making them more aware and considerate of the feelings of family members and friends.