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Llama Out Loud!
Sidesplitting middle grade comedy, with serious heart (and one very funny llama). The first in a hilarious new series, perfect for fans of Lightning Girl, Little Badman and Charlie Changes into a Chicken
Yasmin Shah is a ten-year-old girl who is part of a big, noisy family and doesn’t ever speak. Levi is a rude, sassy toy llama, who talks A LOT and has come to wreak havoc in Yasmin’s life.
Yasmin tries everything she can to escape Levi, but she can’t help being dragged along on his crazy antics – and every day brings a new surprise, whether that’s an erupting bin, a flying tuna fish, or a hat made from knickers. Life is never boring with Levi around – and could it be that he has a secret plan to help Yasmin find her voice?
Yasmin Shah is a ten-year-old girl who is part of a big, noisy family and doesn’t ever speak. Levi is a rude, sassy toy llama, who talks A LOT and has come to wreak havoc in Yasmin’s life.
Yasmin tries everything she can to escape Levi, but she can’t help being dragged along on his crazy antics – and every day brings a new surprise, whether that’s an erupting bin, a flying tuna fish, or a hat made from knickers. Life is never boring with Levi around – and could it be that he has a secret plan to help Yasmin find her voice?
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 23, 2020
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This book sounded AMAZING, and so right up my alley. I have been a shy kid myself, so the book sounded hilarious. Fun pranks, fun ways to make someone more happy in their body. However the pranks were harmful and unfriendly and for me downright shitty. I hated Levi so so much. And frankly, it is a good thing I never got a llama guardian like that when I was that age, because I can tell you that would have ended badly. For me. I wouldn’t have been able to handle that along with bullying and feeling insecure about myself. And yes, I know I am not a child so maybe this book isn’t for me. Well, I read enough children’s books that I loved, that made me laugh or cry or giggle, that brought me joy. And besides, again, 10 year old me? Wouldn’t have been amused with this shit either. I know myself and while I did change from when I was 10 (who hasn’t?) there are things that stay the same. Magical annoying animals have never been a favourite of mine. Pranks that harm someone? Also no. Feeding animals chocolate? Also no. Yes, that last one? That happens. And I think it is bad that that keeps being added to books. Dogs being fed that, cats being fed that, hamsters being fed that, and now goldfish/fish.
It was a big struggle to get through this book, I was constantly looking to my kindle’s % in the hopes I was almost done. Sadly, most of the times it was a no.
I wanted to get rid of Levi so so much. Man, I love the name Levi, and this is not making me happy. The Llama was just so annoying and so aggravating. He must have seen that he wasn’t helping.. he was just destroying things. 😐 Later on we do find out his intentions, but come on. Maybe a little less pranks and stupid things that bring the one you are helping in trouble? I mean who the hell slaps a fish into someone’s face because he wasn’t getting attention (and then calls getting detention something good). Or who thinks it is a good idea to drag garbage throughout the house so that the girl gets in trouble? Or who thinks it is funny to write a letter about bum worms so she almost loses her competition? Who thinks it is funny to do that and all the other things? You are not helping her. Instead you are making her sad, you are making her angry, you make her feel crap. And then there is the thing he sent to the boss of OLD after Yasmin won the competition. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. Sorry, but that was just messed up. And it just made me want to throw my poor kindle to the wall. Yes, maybe she should spend time with kids, but who the fuck cares if she wants to fucking be with old people and play chess with them? Kids don’t need to just be with kids. 😐 Who are you to fucking decide that for her? Fuck off.
“LLamas love kids.” Well, is it OK if I don’t believe you given the shit you pulled?
Also wtf was up with the parents? Wanting to put your daughter on a plane to Pakistan for TWO things done wrong (which were Levi’s fault, not hers btw, but since it is a magical llama…). All the while the boys do more crap and never seemed to get any reprimand or threats. I found it very annoying and I could clearly understand why Yasmin decided to hide and stop talking. And constantly shouting. Talk normal. Listen to your kid. Who doesn’t celebrate their kids birthday? Some people shouldn’t get kids if they can’t treat them right or even give them time to explain things (though given the magic llama… ). But still. Let your kids tell or write their side of the thing.
And then at the end there is a big boohoo dramafest that just felt like it came out of nowhere and that felt so utterly fake… at least to me. The parents have been acting this way but instead they were actually doing y? HAHAHAHAHA. No.
And why did she feel guilty at 80%, I would have been cheering and bouncing around.
I did love the chess stuff, I loved how good Yasmin was at it. I did like Ezra and Yasmin becoming friends (and I think the whole llama wasn’t part of that happening). Ezra was a fun character and definitely reminded me of myself. 😛
The art was OK, though on my kindle it was all broken up so I missed art or it was all weird. But the art was definitely the one thing I was looking forward to the most.
I was happy with the ending though, but I don’t give credit to Levi. I am sure that she would eventually have found her voice given how far her parents went with their crap. Plus, hey, if Levi wasn’t doing anything things wouldn’t have escalated to this point. Think of that. I did like the plan they concocted to get back into OLD (though it was way obvious, especially if you bring parents :P). But again, no credit to Levi. At all.
So this was definitely not for me. I kept hoping it would get better, but instead of that it got worse, but by then I didn’t want to DNF (I generally don’t DNF when I get over 40%). sighs I was looking forward to a fun, hilarious book, instead I got this.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book sounded AMAZING, and so right up my alley. I have been a shy kid myself, so the book sounded hilarious. Fun pranks, fun ways to make someone more happy in their body. However the pranks were harmful and unfriendly and for me downright shitty. I hated Levi so so much. And frankly, it is a good thing I never got a llama guardian like that when I was that age, because I can tell you that would have ended badly. For me. I wouldn’t have been able to handle that along with bullying and feeling insecure about myself. And yes, I know I am not a child so maybe this book isn’t for me. Well, I read enough children’s books that I loved, that made me laugh or cry or giggle, that brought me joy. And besides, again, 10 year old me? Wouldn’t have been amused with this shit either. I know myself and while I did change from when I was 10 (who hasn’t?) there are things that stay the same. Magical annoying animals have never been a favourite of mine. Pranks that harm someone? Also no. Feeding animals chocolate? Also no. Yes, that last one? That happens. And I think it is bad that that keeps being added to books. Dogs being fed that, cats being fed that, hamsters being fed that, and now goldfish/fish.
It was a big struggle to get through this book, I was constantly looking to my kindle’s % in the hopes I was almost done. Sadly, most of the times it was a no.
I wanted to get rid of Levi so so much. Man, I love the name Levi, and this is not making me happy. The Llama was just so annoying and so aggravating. He must have seen that he wasn’t helping.. he was just destroying things. 😐 Later on we do find out his intentions, but come on. Maybe a little less pranks and stupid things that bring the one you are helping in trouble? I mean who the hell slaps a fish into someone’s face because he wasn’t getting attention (and then calls getting detention something good). Or who thinks it is a good idea to drag garbage throughout the house so that the girl gets in trouble? Or who thinks it is funny to write a letter about bum worms so she almost loses her competition? Who thinks it is funny to do that and all the other things? You are not helping her. Instead you are making her sad, you are making her angry, you make her feel crap. And then there is the thing he sent to the boss of OLD after Yasmin won the competition. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. Sorry, but that was just messed up. And it just made me want to throw my poor kindle to the wall. Yes, maybe she should spend time with kids, but who the fuck cares if she wants to fucking be with old people and play chess with them? Kids don’t need to just be with kids. 😐 Who are you to fucking decide that for her? Fuck off.
“LLamas love kids.” Well, is it OK if I don’t believe you given the shit you pulled?
Also wtf was up with the parents? Wanting to put your daughter on a plane to Pakistan for TWO things done wrong (which were Levi’s fault, not hers btw, but since it is a magical llama…). All the while the boys do more crap and never seemed to get any reprimand or threats. I found it very annoying and I could clearly understand why Yasmin decided to hide and stop talking. And constantly shouting. Talk normal. Listen to your kid. Who doesn’t celebrate their kids birthday? Some people shouldn’t get kids if they can’t treat them right or even give them time to explain things (though given the magic llama… ). But still. Let your kids tell or write their side of the thing.
And then at the end there is a big boohoo dramafest that just felt like it came out of nowhere and that felt so utterly fake… at least to me. The parents have been acting this way but instead they were actually doing y? HAHAHAHAHA. No.
And why did she feel guilty at 80%, I would have been cheering and bouncing around.
I did love the chess stuff, I loved how good Yasmin was at it. I did like Ezra and Yasmin becoming friends (and I think the whole llama wasn’t part of that happening). Ezra was a fun character and definitely reminded me of myself. 😛
The art was OK, though on my kindle it was all broken up so I missed art or it was all weird. But the art was definitely the one thing I was looking forward to the most.
I was happy with the ending though, but I don’t give credit to Levi. I am sure that she would eventually have found her voice given how far her parents went with their crap. Plus, hey, if Levi wasn’t doing anything things wouldn’t have escalated to this point. Think of that. I did like the plan they concocted to get back into OLD (though it was way obvious, especially if you bring parents :P). But again, no credit to Levi. At all.
So this was definitely not for me. I kept hoping it would get better, but instead of that it got worse, but by then I didn’t want to DNF (I generally don’t DNF when I get over 40%). sighs I was looking forward to a fun, hilarious book, instead I got this.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
June 13, 2020
Llama Out Loud is the first in a new series written by Annabelle Sami, who is rapidly becoming one of my favourite new authors of hilarious middle-grade fiction. This is laugh-out-loud storytelling about a shy young girl and one very LOUD llama.
In Llama Out Loud, Annabelle Sami continues her mission to increase the representation of funny girls and diverse characters in children’s books. It is fantastic for some children to see a character that more closely resembles themselves and that they can feel more connected to. This is her second diverse lead character after she first introduced us to Agent Zaiba in Agent Zaiba Investigates. In Llama Out Loud we are introduced to Yasmin.
Yasmin is a mute ten year-old-girl who lives with her rather noisy extended-family in Brick Lane, East London. Her world changes for the worse when a scruffy, toy llama comes bursting into her life and unfortunately for Yasmin, he very much doesn’t know when to shut up! Levi the llama is loud, rude and always has something to say and is set to bring chaos and mischief into her life. There is no end to the drama that one llama can cause and there seems to be only one solution…the llama has to go.
Despite Yasmin’s best laid plans (recorded in her special ‘Adventures of Secret Agent Yasmin’ notebook) nothing seems to work and she is swept away in Levi’s antics. Whether Levi is playing pranks in Yasmin’s home, getting her into trouble at school or disrupting life at the old people’s home, there is never a dull moment when Levi is around. But perhaps there is a method to all of his madness and he is on his own secret mission to help Yasmin find her voice.
Llama Out Loud is packed full of mayhem, mischief and llama based puns. The action moves on at pace and has brilliant comic timing (mostly thanks to Levi). Levi is brilliant fun and is possibly the best talking animal since Donkey in Shrek. This cockney speaking llama had me in fits of giggles and despite all of his pranks and unwelcome antics you can’t help but love him.
In amongst all the laughs are important messages on friendship, self-belief and finding the inner-confidence to stand up for yourself. Yasmin’s growth as a character throughout the story will be relatable to many readers. It is through the antics of Levi that Yasmin is able to overcome her shyness and eventually finds her voice.
I loved the Brick Lane setting. It is always a must visit place for me whenever I am in London and Sami depicts it perfectly. The hustle and bustle of Old Spitalfields Market, the rainbow coloured bagels, the curry houses, the cobbles…there is nowhere quite like it. The references to Pakistani culture are a great fit and these will help many readers understand and appreciate a culture that is different to their own.
Allen Fatimaharan provides the black and white illustrations and they complement the story perfectly. I am particularly fond of the illustrations of Levi - his mischievous nature just shines through.
So grab yourself a glass of ‘llamanade’ and get ready for plenty of llama-drama. Llama Out Loud is due for release on 9th July 2020. I eagerly await the next adventure, Llama on a Mission (I’ll alpaca my bags - yes Levi I know you’re a llama and not an alpaca). Recommended for 7+.
With thanks to Netgalley and Egmont for the review copy.
In Llama Out Loud, Annabelle Sami continues her mission to increase the representation of funny girls and diverse characters in children’s books. It is fantastic for some children to see a character that more closely resembles themselves and that they can feel more connected to. This is her second diverse lead character after she first introduced us to Agent Zaiba in Agent Zaiba Investigates. In Llama Out Loud we are introduced to Yasmin.
Yasmin is a mute ten year-old-girl who lives with her rather noisy extended-family in Brick Lane, East London. Her world changes for the worse when a scruffy, toy llama comes bursting into her life and unfortunately for Yasmin, he very much doesn’t know when to shut up! Levi the llama is loud, rude and always has something to say and is set to bring chaos and mischief into her life. There is no end to the drama that one llama can cause and there seems to be only one solution…the llama has to go.
Despite Yasmin’s best laid plans (recorded in her special ‘Adventures of Secret Agent Yasmin’ notebook) nothing seems to work and she is swept away in Levi’s antics. Whether Levi is playing pranks in Yasmin’s home, getting her into trouble at school or disrupting life at the old people’s home, there is never a dull moment when Levi is around. But perhaps there is a method to all of his madness and he is on his own secret mission to help Yasmin find her voice.
Llama Out Loud is packed full of mayhem, mischief and llama based puns. The action moves on at pace and has brilliant comic timing (mostly thanks to Levi). Levi is brilliant fun and is possibly the best talking animal since Donkey in Shrek. This cockney speaking llama had me in fits of giggles and despite all of his pranks and unwelcome antics you can’t help but love him.
In amongst all the laughs are important messages on friendship, self-belief and finding the inner-confidence to stand up for yourself. Yasmin’s growth as a character throughout the story will be relatable to many readers. It is through the antics of Levi that Yasmin is able to overcome her shyness and eventually finds her voice.
I loved the Brick Lane setting. It is always a must visit place for me whenever I am in London and Sami depicts it perfectly. The hustle and bustle of Old Spitalfields Market, the rainbow coloured bagels, the curry houses, the cobbles…there is nowhere quite like it. The references to Pakistani culture are a great fit and these will help many readers understand and appreciate a culture that is different to their own.
Allen Fatimaharan provides the black and white illustrations and they complement the story perfectly. I am particularly fond of the illustrations of Levi - his mischievous nature just shines through.
So grab yourself a glass of ‘llamanade’ and get ready for plenty of llama-drama. Llama Out Loud is due for release on 9th July 2020. I eagerly await the next adventure, Llama on a Mission (I’ll alpaca my bags - yes Levi I know you’re a llama and not an alpaca). Recommended for 7+.
With thanks to Netgalley and Egmont for the review copy.
June 20, 2020
This is full of mayhem, mischief and bad puns... it made me chuckle at times and is BRILLIANTLY illustrated. A raucous llama and a lovely 10 year old girl are paired up to help her find her voice and learn that she deserves to be heard.
June 28, 2020
This was a fun read, I loved the illustrations and I loved the adventures that Levi and Yasmin get up to!
June 30, 2020
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinion.
A very quirky book about finding your voice
A very quirky book about finding your voice
March 21, 2021
It’s Yasmin’s tenth birthday but no one is her family ever listens to her or asks her what she wants, and she’s given up trying to make herself heard. When her birthday dinner ends in disaster and Yasmin gets blamed for her brothers’ prank, she begs the universe: 'I wish I could stand up for myself.' Little does she realise that her wish is about to be granted in the form of a cockney llama plush toy called Levi.
Levi, the small annoying llama, is not what Yasmin was hoping for. Only Yasmin can see and hear Levi, but his ‘helpful’ interventions have real consequences and Yasmin keeps getting blamed. It seems like Levi is only making things worse. When Levi sabotages the one good thing in Yasmin’s life, the checkers tournament at the Octogenarians’ London Daycentre (O.L.D.), Yasmin has had enough. But will she speak up at last?
'Llama Out Loud' is a hilarious story, full of wonderfully vivid characters, about finding your voice and learning to stand up for yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Levi, the small annoying llama, is not what Yasmin was hoping for. Only Yasmin can see and hear Levi, but his ‘helpful’ interventions have real consequences and Yasmin keeps getting blamed. It seems like Levi is only making things worse. When Levi sabotages the one good thing in Yasmin’s life, the checkers tournament at the Octogenarians’ London Daycentre (O.L.D.), Yasmin has had enough. But will she speak up at last?
'Llama Out Loud' is a hilarious story, full of wonderfully vivid characters, about finding your voice and learning to stand up for yourself. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 22, 2020
I absolutely adore Llama Out Loud - heartwarming, funny, with beautiful illustrations. Perfect for children and as an adult I loved it too.
With an Asian female heroine, this book is so special for girls to see themselves reflected in it. It’s a book full of courage, and offers comfort to those of us who are a bit quieter than those around us. I wholly recommend for summer holiday reading, reading with key stage 2 classes when schools are back, and for reading along with your child as the illustrations are amazing.
With an Asian female heroine, this book is so special for girls to see themselves reflected in it. It’s a book full of courage, and offers comfort to those of us who are a bit quieter than those around us. I wholly recommend for summer holiday reading, reading with key stage 2 classes when schools are back, and for reading along with your child as the illustrations are amazing.
July 29, 2020
Thought this book was a good fun read and would appeal to a wide range of children. The story is amusing and is good to champion children who are selective mute. The colloquial style in which it is written works really well and I love how the setting of East London (Whitechapel) is used - I think it would really appeal to children from London. Would recommend for children aged 7- 9 for this.
July 27, 2020
Quirky kids book with refreshingly diverse characters.
Levi the llama is massively irritating for most of the story but Yasmin is a great character. She may be selectively mute but her inner monologue is hilarious.
Levi the llama is massively irritating for most of the story but Yasmin is a great character. She may be selectively mute but her inner monologue is hilarious.
August 16, 2021
This 245 page middle grade doodle filled novel features a Pakistani-British protagonist as she endures life with a family that yells, brothers that prank, aunts that meddle, and now a magical talking obnoxious stuffed llama. Yasmin Shah stopped speaking years ago, and a 10th birthday wish has brought about Levi, a llama who uses highly unconventional methods to help Yasmin stand up for herself and find her voice. At times funny, tender, and relatable, the book similarly often feels really forced as it relies on predictable jokes for cheap laughs: bum worms, wee wee taunts, the threat of being sent to Daadi in Pakistan as a punishment, bras and knickers being thrown around, etc.. The overall message is good and silly, and middle graders will probably feel some anxiety and frustration with Levi, but ultimately enjoy the book, and look forward to future books in the series.
SYNOPSIS:
Yasmin lives in a full loud home. It is her 10th birthday and she feels completely unseen. Her mom has made her a lovely cake, but when her brothers use pepper to make her sneeze, the cake gets destroyed and she once again meets the wrath of her family. She wishes she could stand up for herself, and just like that her life gets a whole lot crazier. A stuffed old stained llama she saw in the market and her aunt decided to gift her, has sprung to life and won't stop talking. Levi seems determined to make Yasmin's life even more miserable. He shows up in her backpack at school and his misguided help gets her detention, he doesn't want her to be friends with the octogenarians she plays checkers with at the local senior center and embarrasses her and gets her banned, life at home is more miserable too as he takes revenge on Yasmin who keeps trying to get rid of him. At times it is hard to know if Levi is really trying to help and is just really misguided, or if he is out to get her. As Yasmin loses her elderly friends and the chance to be checkers champion at the OLD home, she slowly lets new kid Ezra wear her down and possibly be her friend. The climax reveals not just her voice, but a remorse for Levi that further helps Yasmin determine what her life will look like moving forward.
WHY I LIKE IT:
Antics aside, the story is about Yasmin being pushed/encouraged to be heard in her life. The jokes amplify the need for her to find her voice and defend herself, her love of the old people and determination to win the checkers tournament is endearing, and her struggles with kids her own age shows real heartache. I absolutely love Ezra and his mannerisms. He is new at school, trying to meet Yasmin where she is at, and encourage her all while trying to focus, channel his energy, and fit in as well. Yasmin's family redeems itself and I think readers will get the exaggeration of much of the antics, but really Levi is annoying and while younger readers might find him hilarious and well-intentioned, I think anyone older than the intended audience will just want to strangle him.
The illustrations, the comic strips, and the little flourishes on the pages are wonderful. They bring the book to life and provide the charm and humor that the text needs to connect with the readers.
The only religious thing mentioned is Eid at the beginning. Some of the women in Yasmin's family wear a scarf on their head and her teacher wears hijab, it isn't mentioned in the text. I could not find if the author or illustrator identify as Muslim, I read that the author's father is Pakistani so culturally and perhaps experience wise it is OWN voice, and reads with a lot of authenticity.
FLAGS:
Possible verbal abuse, anxiety and bullying. Mention and illustrations of undergarments. Plotting and planning to harm/destroy a magical talking toy. Practical jokes, threats, lying, deception, back talking, deceit.
SYNOPSIS:
Yasmin lives in a full loud home. It is her 10th birthday and she feels completely unseen. Her mom has made her a lovely cake, but when her brothers use pepper to make her sneeze, the cake gets destroyed and she once again meets the wrath of her family. She wishes she could stand up for herself, and just like that her life gets a whole lot crazier. A stuffed old stained llama she saw in the market and her aunt decided to gift her, has sprung to life and won't stop talking. Levi seems determined to make Yasmin's life even more miserable. He shows up in her backpack at school and his misguided help gets her detention, he doesn't want her to be friends with the octogenarians she plays checkers with at the local senior center and embarrasses her and gets her banned, life at home is more miserable too as he takes revenge on Yasmin who keeps trying to get rid of him. At times it is hard to know if Levi is really trying to help and is just really misguided, or if he is out to get her. As Yasmin loses her elderly friends and the chance to be checkers champion at the OLD home, she slowly lets new kid Ezra wear her down and possibly be her friend. The climax reveals not just her voice, but a remorse for Levi that further helps Yasmin determine what her life will look like moving forward.
WHY I LIKE IT:
Antics aside, the story is about Yasmin being pushed/encouraged to be heard in her life. The jokes amplify the need for her to find her voice and defend herself, her love of the old people and determination to win the checkers tournament is endearing, and her struggles with kids her own age shows real heartache. I absolutely love Ezra and his mannerisms. He is new at school, trying to meet Yasmin where she is at, and encourage her all while trying to focus, channel his energy, and fit in as well. Yasmin's family redeems itself and I think readers will get the exaggeration of much of the antics, but really Levi is annoying and while younger readers might find him hilarious and well-intentioned, I think anyone older than the intended audience will just want to strangle him.
The illustrations, the comic strips, and the little flourishes on the pages are wonderful. They bring the book to life and provide the charm and humor that the text needs to connect with the readers.
The only religious thing mentioned is Eid at the beginning. Some of the women in Yasmin's family wear a scarf on their head and her teacher wears hijab, it isn't mentioned in the text. I could not find if the author or illustrator identify as Muslim, I read that the author's father is Pakistani so culturally and perhaps experience wise it is OWN voice, and reads with a lot of authenticity.
FLAGS:
Possible verbal abuse, anxiety and bullying. Mention and illustrations of undergarments. Plotting and planning to harm/destroy a magical talking toy. Practical jokes, threats, lying, deception, back talking, deceit.
July 28, 2021
Have you ever imagined what could happen if your toys came to life? I think we all have. This is exactly what happens to Yasmin in this book by Annabelle Sami. Although I don’t think you will have imagined it quite like this…
Yasmin Shah lives with her large family in Fish Lane, London. Ammi, Papa, Auntie Bibi, Auntie Gigi, a tall brother and a short brother all live in a very noisy, tall thin house and Yasmin is the quiet one. In fact she is so quiet that she doesn’t speak at all. Yasmin’s life is fairly normal until she receives the ugliest toy llama as a gift for her 10th birthday. Levi is about to make his voice heard! Added to this, Ezra is a new boy in Yasmin’s class and she is unhappy to be asked to be his buddy, as although he is cheerful and chatty, he is also fidgety and easily distracted. So as you can probably tell, Yasmin’s life is about to get, well, interesting!
This is the first book about Yasmin and her llama-related adventures and is an easily relatable story about a family situation, whilst also delves deeper into Yasmin’s shyness and selective mutism and the reasons behind it. It is an uplifting story and shows the reader how to empathise more and show tolerance to others. It tackles friendship issues and how friends might be lost and new ones found. This book is funny and fast paced and even has little comic strip additions to amuse you! I liked that there were old as well as young characters and that the story involves real life, with an added healthy dollop of the fantastical thrown in. I also really liked how it dealt with finding your own voice (which is the main theme of the book), new friends and interests whilst growing up.
I will be recommending this book to Key Stage 2 children at our school.
Yasmin Shah lives with her large family in Fish Lane, London. Ammi, Papa, Auntie Bibi, Auntie Gigi, a tall brother and a short brother all live in a very noisy, tall thin house and Yasmin is the quiet one. In fact she is so quiet that she doesn’t speak at all. Yasmin’s life is fairly normal until she receives the ugliest toy llama as a gift for her 10th birthday. Levi is about to make his voice heard! Added to this, Ezra is a new boy in Yasmin’s class and she is unhappy to be asked to be his buddy, as although he is cheerful and chatty, he is also fidgety and easily distracted. So as you can probably tell, Yasmin’s life is about to get, well, interesting!
This is the first book about Yasmin and her llama-related adventures and is an easily relatable story about a family situation, whilst also delves deeper into Yasmin’s shyness and selective mutism and the reasons behind it. It is an uplifting story and shows the reader how to empathise more and show tolerance to others. It tackles friendship issues and how friends might be lost and new ones found. This book is funny and fast paced and even has little comic strip additions to amuse you! I liked that there were old as well as young characters and that the story involves real life, with an added healthy dollop of the fantastical thrown in. I also really liked how it dealt with finding your own voice (which is the main theme of the book), new friends and interests whilst growing up.
I will be recommending this book to Key Stage 2 children at our school.
February 16, 2021
We read his over a few nights as our bedtime story and both boys really enjoyed it. They said it was funny and they loved the characters, including Yasmin, Levi and Ezra. We all laughed out loud in places and were never disappointed.
The book is full of really good, positive messages for kids - that is is ok to be yourself being a stand out one for me. The boys were really p[leased to hear at the end of the story that there may be more adventures with Levi on the horizon - we will be definitely looking out for those for sure!
The book is full of really good, positive messages for kids - that is is ok to be yourself being a stand out one for me. The boys were really p[leased to hear at the end of the story that there may be more adventures with Levi on the horizon - we will be definitely looking out for those for sure!
July 24, 2025
A talking, magical llama, an elective mute and a crazy household. These all combine to make a laugh out loud story that I couldn't put down. Yasmin has a lot to say but nobody listens, so she says nothing. Along comes Levi, determined to change that. Will he work his magic, or will he drive an even bigger wedge between her and her family? I can't wait to read the rest of the series now.
December 4, 2021
I read this book because a friend of mine recommended it, and how right she was!
This book is about finding your voice and speaking up for yourself. That, plus the awesome artwork, the funny stories that llama comes up with and the lessons Yasmin learns from him, made this book a very special read!
This book is about finding your voice and speaking up for yourself. That, plus the awesome artwork, the funny stories that llama comes up with and the lessons Yasmin learns from him, made this book a very special read!
May 8, 2021
Yasmin's life is loud, Levi's even louder but Yasmin doesn't speak at all.
A funny and warming, well-written jaunt. A nice read for Y4+.
A funny and warming, well-written jaunt. A nice read for Y4+.
December 4, 2022
Laugh out loud funny!
December 24, 2022
Ha,ha,ha! Really funny.
July 22, 2023
Super representation, very funny, a quick read. Would suit Y3/4. The pictures need to be shared, so whole class set needed or put the book underneath the visualiser.
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