We were shocked to learn the tragic news of the passing of author Anna Dewdney. We were lucky enough to host her at the store, and hear her own voice share her Llama Llama stories with children, and see her draw those adorable characters on a big easel pad. We are proud that she was a fellow Vermonter, who charmed a nation of children with her little woolly guy.
In addition to the Llama Llama books, Anna wrote and illustrated several wonderful standalone picture books, including Grumpy Gloria (a bulldog who just needs a little attention), Nobunny’s Perfect (a reassuring book about toddler foibles), Roly-Poly Pangolin (a cautious little fellow), Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too (a sweet father-daughter adventure), and she illustrated Matt Christopher’s Peach Street Mudders baseball chapter book series. She also re-illustrated a beautiful version of Margaret Wise Brown’s Christmas in the Barn, which will be out from HarperCollins later this month, and Llama Llama Yum Yum Yum, coming from Grosset & Dunlap in October. There are one or two other books in the pipeline as well, so we will have a little more time to enjoy Dewdney’s exuberant, funny, emotion-rich art and simple, confident way with rhyme and rhythm.
A whole country of little llamas were very lucky to enjoy her too-brief but remarkably productive stay on this planet. Here’s a gallery of the Llamas, who will, indeed, miss Mama.
If you have any favorite memories of Anna or her books, please share them in the comments section. We would love to hear your stories.
And the board books:
We are incredibly saddened at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur GA. Anna visited us numerous times over the years- she had a wonderful gentleness about her but was a true force in children’s books and the importance of them being shared with little ones. We will miss her terribly and are grateful for her lasting legacy. Thanks for posting this, Elizabeth.
What a perfect description, Diane – a ‘wonderful gentleness’ and a ‘true force.’ Thank you for your comment.
We received Roly Poly Pangolin for one of my children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It’s one of my favorite children’s books because of the language and rhymes and the message about the pangolins. It took me a while before I connected the dots that this book and the Llama Llama books were by the same author. I was very sorry to hear of her passing – she will be missed.
I think a lot of people didn’t realize she wrote and illustrated many non-Llama books! I love how she chose unusual animals — gnus, pangolins — to create stories around.
When the first Llama Llama book was in preorder stage, my daughter in law, a children’s librarian and I fell in love with it. Sarah started a correspondence with Anna and as a thank you for Sarah’s support, sent her Llama artwork. We hosted Anna at the library and at Midwest Booksellers. She was always so very lovely. We will miss that little llama — and Anna.
Thank you for sharing this, Vicki. I love that Anna sent your daughter-in-law a piece of artwork. That’s a treasure.
Anna visited us one sticky summer day. The event was at a local organic farm, and she managed to move the presentation in out of the rain as though it was standard operating procedure. We had quite a few pre-sold books, and wouldn’t you know, there was a misfire on one, so it got signed to the wrong person. Anna was incredibly gracious about mailing the right book back and forth (the first copy was damaged by a flood), and even sent a dedicated sketch afterward, that now lives proudly in my home office. Losing her from our small corner of the world is heartbreaking, but her legacy will mend many a bruised little heart for generations to come.
Thanks for sharing that anecdote, Carol! I love your last line especially. Awww.
I was so saddened to hear the news. I met Anna at my first Midwest Booksellers Association meeting about seven years ago. At the time my daughter was struggling with severe separation anxiety at preschool drop off, and we were reading Llama Llama Misses Mama every night. At drop off, we would tell her “Don’t forget when day is through, we will come right back for you!” I was so excited to be able to thank Anna personally for that book because at the time it was the only thing that was working.
I introduced myself, started to tell the story, and burst into tears.
She was so lovely, giving me her whole and immediate attention, hugging me, listening to the whole story, thanking me for sharing it, brushing away my apology. It was one of those tiny moments of true connection that really stick with you.
I have never heard anyone in the book business say anything neutral about her, let alone anything bad. She seems to have been universally loved, just like her books. What a legacy to leave behind.
I imagine she was VERY touched by how moved you were by her book. That’s the dream of any author, to reach the hearts of readers! She was surely grateful right back at you. Thanks for sharing that!