Macca the Alpaca

Macca the Alpaca

by Matt Cosgrove

Macca the alpaca's days were happy and carefree until -- drama! -- a llama. In this adorable, quirky picture book, Macca the alpaca loves splashing in puddles and gives the best cuddles. But when he bumps into a big bullying llama named Harmer (who's no charmer), Macca must prove the value of smarts and kindness.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Storytime, Humor

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2018

Reviews

[Miranda]

The art was cute, and I loved Macca's personality and how it showed through the art style. But I'm not sure about the message -- it seems to suggest forgiving bullies, which I'm not really for, and I question the use of the word "thug" to describe a big brown llama who bullies the smaller white alpaca. I think perhaps the author should have examined their unconscious biases and changed some things up.

[Rian *fire and books*]

Cute art, for sure. But the message? I could be wrong but it seems to imply you should forgive your bully? And I’m not about that.

[Licha]

Love rhyming books for kids. They're always fun to read aloud. This one was a cute story.

[Kellee Moye]

No rating because although I liked the book and Trent did too, I did not think the use of the word thug was justified.

[Lisa]

The book is about a white alpaca whose days are carefree until he encounters a taller, stronger brown llama named "Harmer" who is described as "drama", "a thug", and a "bully" with a "nasty mind". Then during their "challenge", Harmer used his physical abilities while Macca used pre-disposed resources provided to him and it was referred to as Macca "just using his brain". And then finally, during the last challenge in which Harmer falls down a mountainside, it is referred to as "karma" and Macca hugs the "thug".

[Ken Hawking]

Interesting characters but storyline too complicated

[Heidi Burkhart]

A llama and alpaca are anthropomorphised to teach kids a few lessons in behavior. Ages 2-4.

[Gloria]

The use of "thug" was very off-putting to me. The storyline was meh. Macca the Alpaca is bullied by Harmer the Llama. Harmer falls down the mountain during a challenge and then Macca hugs him. No conversation about bullying, or why what Harmer is doing hurts Macca, just a quip about karma, calls Harmer a thug, and then they hug it out.

[Nikky Cassidy]

Sooooo cute!!! Alpaca is a total sweety but he is also very clever, kind and happy. This book makes me smile and laugh. If only we were all like Macca the world would be a better place.

[Nichol Humphery]

loved it and so inspirational #standuptoyourbulliesbutbekind
#maccaslays
#tpwk

[Katie Butterworth]

Very cute art. The message of kindness and a bully learning a lesson was simple. I took the opportunity to talk deeper into the story and the moments with my students when I read it. It could of been executed better. Still an entertaining and enjoyable book for my kids.

[Nicole]

Thisnis such a cute new picture book!! Love the illustrations!

[Michelle Boquist]

This book has cute characters and a story line, but it also has lots of rhymes for our emergent literacy students.

[Kaylen Brown]

Funny and perfect! A challenge of wits and strength (between alpacas). Ends with pain and sweetness.

[Bonnie Arriola]

Funny, cute, rhymes! Trifecta!

[Evan Micheals]

Melanie requested this book. A Llama uses his size to bully Macca. Macca uses his brain’s to come up with solutions for lack of size. When you are young being ‘big’ is important. The book reflects there are other ways to be good. Cutsie book, and Melanie’s review was “Good”.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Macca the Alpaca by Matt Cosgrove. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic, March 2020. $15. 9781338602821

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Macca the Alpaca lives a carefree life until Harmer the Llama comes along and bullies Macca into a contest. Harmer may pick challenges of strength, but Macca uses his brain to come out on top.
Macca is so fluffy and loveable! And he uses his brain to fight instead of being a bully. I am not as in love with the rhyme scheme, however – it doesn’t track well all the way through, so in a couple of spots it is awkward to read aloud.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Dimity Powell]

Stick a couple of cloven hooves on the cutest doleful eyed teddy bear in the world and you'd have an alpaca. And Macca fits the bill 100% ('It's exactly how they look!' exclaimed Miss). Rhyme that works effortlessly with playful illustrations creates a picture book that is not only oodles of fun but also a gentle reminder that big is not always better and even bullies are worth loving - or in Macca's case - hugging. Frolicsome fun for 3 to 7 year-olds. Impossible not to love if you love Alpacas (as we do) or even if you've never heard of one before.

Look out for companion book, Alpacas with Maracas due out July 2018.

[Meg]

Not the biggest fan of this book, the illustrations weren't quite my style (despite the cute cover). Fans of Loony-Toons-style humor will appreciate the coyote-and-roadrunner dynamic between Macca and Harmer.

[Jami Hines]

Macca is an alpaca. He is small, friendly, sweet, loveable, and always happy. Macca runs into a llama named Harmer, he's no charmer. His name says it all. Harmer is a bully, tall, strong, rough, and mean. Harmer calls Macca mean names. Harmer made a bet with Macca. Macca uses his brain to beat Harmer at the challenges while Harmer tries to use his strong muscles. Harmer falls and Macca gives him a hug. Even though Harmer was mean and a bully, Macca forgave him and still wanted to be his friend. This is a good book to show young children that you don't have to be the biggest or the strongest kid, size doesn't matter. Using your brain is also important when trying to figure things out. Being a bully is not ok either. Be kind.

[John]

"Macca the Alpaca" is a quality picture book because it is well illustrated using the visual elements to share the function of storytelling through actions and emotions (T.A. Young, 7th Ed., p.28).

Another well-written quality of this book is the ending in which the conflict is resolved through forgiveness, setting a good example for all readers. (T.A. Young, 7th Ed., p.37). Complexity is developed where an insecure attention-seeking show 0ff is prevailed upon by a more clever and more sociable target of unearned ill-will.

The pictures establish the setting in the temperate mountainous highlands of a country harboring alpacas, llamas, armadillos, frogs, birds of paradise, monkeys, ladybugs, butterflies, jaguars, sloths, and rodents. Every page has an active movement. The conflict is between a friendly sincerely benevolent protagonist and an irritable envious bully who incites a contest. When the defeated bully admits his mistake, he receives a hug, and benevolence carries the day. All the bright colors are optimistic and the line strokes for the animals emphasize clean, soft, fuzzy fur. The bully has sharp lines but Macca is round. The text is not complex, but uses a similar word in rhythmic series to increase vocabulary, e.g. "He huffed, puffed, and nudged 'til it finally budged." I would have students repeat, recite, rehearse until students could read the text with regular rhythm and clear rhyme. These skills transfer to many further linguistic activities.

[Lara]

Adorable alpaca, cute rhyming text, and a message on bullying. Definitely a solid read.

How much you want to forgive any bullies in your life can be a personal discussion, but Macca is a good starting point for a discussion about standing up to them, having your own strengths, and not holding grudges (though again, forgiveness/not holding grudges doesn't mean you have to outright be hugging them and becoming BFFs either). For a younger storytime group, this might be a good fit for a friendship/Golden Rule sort of theme. And would definitely recommend for adults helping young elementary students with their own bullies.

[Logan Green]

one of the best books ever. I love this book so much that i got the collection love this book you have to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nicola]

Part of a series. Macca is getting bullied by Harmer the Llama. Macca proves that brawn isn't everything by using his brain and simple tools to defeat Harmer in a series of challenges. He forgives Harmer and gives him a hug at the end of the book.

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[C Exley Books (Cassandra)]

This year I didn't get chocolate advent calendars for my kids I went with a book advent calendar and this book was the one for December 20th.

I just read this with my five year old son and two year old daughter.

Another awesome Macca book.

All questions answered by my son (Nicholas).

Do you like this book?
Nicholas said "yes"

What do you think of the cover?
Nicholas said "Cool"

Do you want me to read it again?
Nicholas said "Yes"

[Nicole]

I bought this for my library and I was so excited to read it. It did not disappoint! Macca the Alpaca is adorable and has a good life, until a llama comes into the picture. It's a great introduction to the topic of bullying and friendship. I love the rhyming, usually younger readers like that as well. The illustrations are well done.
If you like Alpaca's and stories with life lessons, this book is for you!

[Villain E]

There are llama and alpaca farms out here (west of Portland). So I thought my kids would be interested in a book about an alpaca. And, conveniently, there's also a llama, so you can see the difference! (Llamas are bigger and have longer muzzles.)

In the book, the bigger llama bullies the alpaca. The alpaca shows that he doesn't have to be big to accomplish things.

It's not the best book on bullying I've read. But it served the purpose I was interested in.

[Diane]

"Macca's days were carefree, filled with giggles and glee, until ... Drama! A llama."

Turns out the llama, named Harmer, is quite the bully. He tries to be rough with Macca, but he is "surprisingly strong." So, a challenge is made, but everything Harmer can do with brute strength, Macca can do by using his brains. Until finally, Harmer gets so mad that he plummets off the summit that the two raced up. But all ends well when Macca gives the llama a hug.

[Rose Rosetree]

Macca is a friendly alpaca.

In this tale he encounters a bully in the form of a llama: Harmer.

What will happen?

THE STORY IS DRAMATIC -- AS APPROPRIATE FOR VERY YOUNG READERS

Not only is there a happy ending. Personally I'm also grateful for an intelligent reference in this story to KARMA.

FIVE STARS to author and illustrator Matt Cosgrove. And thanks! I really enjoyed this picture boook.

[Dannaca]

We read this for our Llama Day story time. It would also be a good story for themes of bullying and forgiveness as Macca is challenged to many competitions by the big mean llama, Harmer. Macca always comes out on top, but he's always the epitome of intelligence and grace. It's a fun read aloud because it rhymes and it's also easy to point out that what Harmer barely achieves through brute strength, Macca manages easily with brains.