Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Llama

by Jennifer Bove

Explore the lives of llamas with Ranger Rick in this beginning reader with full-color photos of llamas in action!  What if you wished you were a llama and then you became one? Could you talk like a llama, with gurgles and squeals? Could you roll in the dust like a llama, to keep bugs away? And would you want to? Find out about llamas and their wild cousins, guanacos (pronounced wah-nah-ko ), as well as alpacas and vicuñas! Ranger Rick explorers will love this Level One I Can Read that helps beginning readers dig a little deeper into the lives of llamas. Ranger I Wish I Was a Llama is complete with vivid photographs, fascinating facts, a Wild Words glossary, and a hands-on activity about how to tell the difference between different camelids. Ranger Rick, the iconic raccoon ambassador from Ranger Rick magazines, engages young readers by comparing and contrasting the life of the llama to the life of the reader. For example, a call-out from Ranger Rick do you hum when you feel happy? This Level One I Can Read answers questions for beginning readers about llamas and their wild cousins, guanacos. This format engages young readers by comparing and contrasting the life of these animals to the life of the reader. Ranger I Wish I Was a Llama is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2020

About the author

Jennifer Bové is an award-winning contributor to Ranger Rick Jr®, children's book author, and editor of three anthologies. Jen's work is often inspired by nature and her background in field biology, which brought her face-to-face with wild things like elephant seals, sandhill cranes, salmon, and snakes. She currently lives with her family in Wyoming.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers in grades 1-3 who are interested in learning more about llamas will find good information and great photographs in this nonfiction beginning reader. The text poses a question about the reader’s imaginary life as a llama, such as “What would you eat?”, and then provides the information in a clearly written response; this breaks the text up into smaller pieces without using chapters. Considering the good quality of the rest of the book, it’s unfortunate that the editor is confused about the proper grammar for “I wish I were”. The phrase is used correctly on the jacket flap and in the first sentence of the book but not in the title. Also, the title is not indicative of the fact that the entire book compares and contrasts llamas and their wild counterpart, guanacos. The large photographs on each page are high-quality and do a great job of complimenting the accompanying text. The back matter provides more information and a glossary (“Wild Words”).

[Erica Byrne · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you wish to teach children incorrect grammar, give them this book.
How can an author, editor, and publisher all be ignorant about the subjunctive mood?
The title should be, "I Wish I Were a Llama".
https://strategiesforparents.com/i-wi...

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Llamas live out in the cold and like to roll in the dust. It would be nice to be able to spit like a llama when you're mad, but forget chewing your own cud.

[Trey Auntie Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because the pictures were cute.

* 6 read this one independently

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Level 1 it's pretty long.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with an animal book by the Ranger Rick folks. Easy to read info about llamas and their cousins. Love the photo of the llama rolling in the dust - good shot of the underside and hoofs. Right now I wish I was a llama or guanaco, their wild cousin, because they live in cool dry mountain areas!