Llama Llama and Learning Fun: Preschool Activities Inspired by the Beloved Books of Anna Dewdney

Few picture books have captured the hearts of preschoolers, parents, and teachers quite like Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. With its catchy rhymes, relatable themes, and expressive illustrations, it’s no surprise that the Llama Llama series has become a classroom favorite. These books not only entertain but also support emotional development, early literacy, and positive behavior modeling.

Whether you’re a preschool teacher planning your next circle time or a parent looking for enriching read-alouds and activities, the Llama Llama books offer a world of playful possibilities. In this post, we’ll explore several must-read titles in the series and share easy, engaging classroom crafts and activities to bring Llama Llama’s world to life.

Why Kids and Teachers Love Llama Llama Red Pajama

First published in 2005, Llama Llama Red Pajama tells the tender and funny story of Baby Llama’s bedtime anxieties and his mama’s comforting return. Anna Dewdney’s rhythmic text and warm artwork resonate with young children, validating their big feelings while modeling gentle parenting and calm reassurance.

The success of the first book sparked a whole Llama Llama series, each one tackling common preschooler experiences like going to school, waiting in line, feeling sick, and learning to be kind. These books are ideal for preschool classrooms because they combine emotional intelligence, predictability, and humor—three ingredients that keep little listeners hooked.

Must-Read Llama Llama Books for Preschool Classrooms

In addition to Llama Llama Red Pajama, consider adding these titles to your classroom or home library:

Llama Llama Mad at Mama
A great tool for talking about tantrums, patience, and errands.

Llama Llama Misses Mama
Perfect for easing separation anxiety at school or daycare.

Llama Llama Time to Share
Encourages positive social skills like taking turns and being kind.

Llama Llama Home with Mama
A cozy read for sick days and talking about self-care.

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
A helpful way to introduce anti-bullying discussions in preschool.

Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa
A sweet story for celebrating family and overnight visits.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama
Ideal for teaching mindfulness and managing emotions during the holidays.

Llama Llama Loves to Read
A wonderful literacy-themed book to inspire a love for learning.

Fun & Educational Llama Llama-Themed Classroom Crafts

Pair your read-alouds with hands-on crafts and activities that support learning through play. These preschool classroom ideas require minimal materials and offer maximum engagement.

🦙 1. Llama Llama Red Pajama Craft

Perfect Pairing: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Materials:

- Red construction paper

- Cotton balls

- Glue, scissors

- Llama face template (hand-drawn or printed)

- Markers or crayons

How-To:
Create a simple cut-and-paste craft where children glue Baby Llama’s face onto a red pajama top. Add cotton balls for cozy trim and let kids decorate the pajamas however they like. Display them on a bulletin board titled “Llamas in Pajamas!”

Llama Llama and Learning Fun: Preschool Activities Inspired by the Beloved Books of Anna Dewdney

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE IMAGE ABOVE

🛏 2. Bedtime Routine Sequencing Cards

Perfect Pairing: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Materials:

- Printable cards showing common bedtime steps (brush teeth, put on pajamas, story time, lights out)

- Velcro dots or magnets

- Sentence strips or chart paper

How-To:
Let kids practice putting the bedtime steps in order. This activity reinforces sequencing, vocabulary, and personal care routines.

👩‍👦 3. Llama Llama Emotions Masks

Perfect Pairing: Llama Llama Mad at Mama or Llama Llama Misses Mama

Materials:

- Paper plates

- Craft sticks

- Markers or printable faces showing happy, sad, angry, scared

- Glue

How-To:
Children create emotion masks to match Baby Llama’s feelings in the story. Use them to act out scenes or talk about what makes us feel different emotions.

📚 4. Llama’s Library Corner

Perfect Pairing: Llama Llama Loves to Read

Materials:

- A cozy reading nook

- Stuffed llama or llama plush

- Books from the Llama Llama series

- Pillows, blankets, or bean bags

How-To:
Turn a quiet classroom corner into Llama’s Library. Invite kids to read independently or to a stuffed llama. This encourages self-directed reading and a calm learning space.

🎨 5. Llama Letter L Craft

Perfect Pairing: Alphabet theme or Llama Llama Loves to Read

Materials:

- Large paper cutout of the letter "L"

- Felt, yarn, googly eyes

- Glue, markers

How-To:
Turn the letter L into a llama! Let children decorate their letter with fur and facial features while you reinforce the “L is for Llama” phonics connection.

Extra Learning Extensions

Story Retelling: Use Llama puppets or felt characters to act out the story during circle time.

Social-Emotional Journals: For older preschoolers, have them draw a picture of when they felt like Baby Llama and how they calmed down.

Rhyming Practice: Find rhyming pairs from the books and match pictures or objects during small group time.

Final Thoughts

Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama books are a treasure trove for early childhood educators and parents alike. With rhythmic storytelling, relatable characters, and themes rooted in emotional growth and everyday routines, they’re ideal for preschool-aged learners. By pairing these books with fun crafts, social-emotional learning, and literacy-based activities, you’ll help your students connect more deeply with the stories—and with each other.

So grab your red pajamas, cozy up with Baby Llama, and let the reading adventures begin!

LLAMA, LLAMA HANDPRINT CRAFT BOOK FREE PRINTABLE PAGE

Print the above image on card stock, color the head brown/tan. Paint the child's foot red and place the heel at the top with the toes pointed down. This is one of the many pages in our handprint book that we present parents as an end-of-year gift.

Nanny to Mommy