Mary had a little lamb… But this is the story of a little girl named Maria, and she had a little llama instead! Maria’s llama loves her so much that it follows her all around her village, all the way to school, where it soon finds out that llamas are not allowed in! The llama must then patiently wait outside all day for Maria to finish her studies, but that’s alright, because it loves Maria and Maria loves her llama.
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This updated version of the beloved classic features some of the same rhyming schemes as the original. Maria is an indigenous girl who lives in the mountains of Peru, and Dominguez’s illustrations feature traditional Peruvian dress and village life as a backdrop for the story. This is a wonderful book for young children, and a perfect choice for those of Peruvian heritage.
—Reviewed by Beth Rotella, Teacher, New York