Written by Carrie Tillotson and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

Everything a young reader would want to know is packed into this picture book! Simple, rhyming text winds through the pages of alpacas in both Peru and North America. Denser informative text blocks run along the bottom of the right page (recto) of each two page spread. The end of the book includes a glossary, author and artist notes, select sources and more about the alpacas (including their origin as domesticated animals in both areas).

This highly informative book takes a different approach than the typical nonfiction book for younger readers. It can be read as a simple story or a reader can delve much more deeply into the facts about this prized camelid. The accompanying illustrations are vibrant and bold and culturally appropriate.

There is much to learn about alpacas and this book takes on the topic in a unique and playful way. Readers won’t even realize how much they are learning until they reach the end of the book! Recommended.