THE LLAMA WHO HAD NO PAJAMA: 100 FAVORITE POEMS by Mary Ann Hoberman

Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1998. The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems. Ill. by Betty Fraser. San Diego, CA: Browndeer Press. 0152055711.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Mary Ann Hoberman offers a collection of 100 favorite poems.  This delightful collection of poetry is a great addition to any library or classroom.  These little poetry gems will engage the reader with their rhythmic qualities and engaging topics.  These pieces with their nonsensical words, repletion, and rhyme scheme lend themselves to be sung and even memorized.  The collection touts a variety of themes and tones throughout the book.  The reader will delight in the whimsical and fast paced, “Yellow Butter…” and the reflective and a little somber, “Mayfly” poem. 

This book would work well as a first introduction to poetry with its variation on themes and engaging content.  The topics are common themes relatable to a childhood audience and the wide variety available in this one volume offers a great opportunity to use this book for smaller poetry breaks in the classroom.  The author focuses the pieces on topics such as animals and important milestones.  She even takes on the bothersome little brother and the magic of snow.  Kids will delight in the rhythmic qualities of the poems and will find themselves engaged in the text and topics.  The clean and simple artwork helps to reflect the themes of the pieces and create visual interest for the reader.  These pieces beg to be read aloud over and over and will quickly become memorized favorites for the young audience.  These pieces will foster phonic development and reinforce reading skills. 

Worm

Squiggly

Wiggly

Wriggly

Jiggly

Ziggly

Higgly

Piggly

Worm.

Watch it wiggle,

Watch it wriggle.

See it squiggle,

See it squirm.

These pieces are just fun pieces that invite singing and movement.  It would be a great opportunity to integrate music into the lesson by using rhythm sticks, Boomwhackers, or Orff instruments to invite children to feel the musical rhythm of the pieces. This provides a great opportunity to link academic learning with musical and kinesthetic opportunities.   

Another great leaning opportunity would be to view the author reading her works in a fun and insightful way.  Hoberman discusses some of her pieces and reads them with enthusiasm and joy highlighting the tongue twister qualities and many of the nonsensical words.  Allow the students to play their instruments along with the author's reading of the poems.  

Click on the link to see Mary Ann Hoberman read from her collection of poetry:
The Llama Who Had No Pajama : Children's Poet Laureate : Video : The Poetry Foundation