ALPACAS HERE, ALPACAS THERE
By: Carrie Tillotson
Illustrated by: Elisa Chavarri
Published: February 11, 2025
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Non-Fiction
Combining a simple, rhyming text for little ones and a factual paragraph for older kids makes ALPACAS HERE, ALPACAS THERE a great read-aloud for multiple ages.
Kids will learn about alpacas’ homes and habitats (typically North and South America), how they raise their crias (babies), what they eat, and why they are important to the livelihood of the people of South America.
The cute yet accurately portrayed illustrations use the vivid colors of South America and showcase the adorable creatures that alpacas are. Their fur coats are very important, both for protecting the animals during the winter months and also, once sheared, for providing yarn to make clothing.
Carrie and Elisa have combined to create a picture book that offers kids an opportunity to learn about alpacas through the guise of a picture book. Notes at the end of the book share that Elisa was born in Peru and states that seeing the alpacas warm her heart and remind her of home. More details about the history of alpacas and their growth in North America are shared at the end of the book.
Alpacas have seen a surge in popularity, and there may just be an alpaca farm near you. If you live near me, you can visit Rainbow Feathers Farm to see alpacas up close. Several years ago, I visited an alpaca farm in California and purchased some of their alpaca yarn to knit a scarf (I’m not great at knitting). But it is one of the softest scarves I own.
Read this book with your kids and find an alpaca farm near you for a more immersive learning experience.
Carrie Tillotson is a children’s picture book author. Her newest title is Alpacas Here, Alpacas There. Her previous books, Counting to Bananas and B Is for Bananas, have received starred reviews, appeared on states lists, and won awards, including the 2023 Good Housekeeping Kids’ book Award and SCBWI Crystal Kite Honor Award. After getting a master’s degree in public health, Carrie worked as a biostatistician for more than ten years and now sculpts her interests in science into playful picture books. Carrie lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and two dogs. Visit her at CarrieTillotson.com.
Elisa Chavarri is an illustrator and artist working from Alpena, Michigan where she lives with her husband, daughter, and pets. Elisa attended Savannah College of Art and Design, where she earned a degree in Animation. She is a native of Lima, Peru. You can visit her at ElisaChavarri.com.
To purchase a copy of ALPACAS HERE, ALPACAS THERE, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under alpacas, Book Review, Carrie Tillotson, Children's books, Elisa Chavarri, non-fiction, Peru