Two decades have passed since Anna Dewdney’s endearingly emotive young llama grappled with bedtime angst in Llama Llama Red Pajama, a 2005 release from Viking. Readers from across the globe have shared in the protagonist’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs: the Llama Llama series has been translated into 11 languages, now includes more than 60 books across nine formats, and has a worldwide in-print total of 55 million copies.
Dewdney died of brain cancer in 2016 at the age of 50, but Viking has continued to expand the Llama Llama series, featuring stories written in the author’s rhyming style and illustrated by JT Morrow, also in Dewdney’s style. The most recent installment, Llama Llama Loves His Teacher, was released on March 25.
“Anna Dewdney, in her wisdom and her love for her readers, had always intended for Llama to live on after her passing,” said Jen Loja, president of Penguin Young Readers. “She had so many stories to tell and children to reach in her too-short time and we at Penguin felt strongly that we could continue to keep Llama in the hearts and minds of readers. In working these past years with Anna’s partner, Reed Duncan, and her daughters, Berol Dewdney and Cordelia Dewdney, we have had the best protectors of her legacy and champions of Llama. We all share the goal of bringing Llama’s stories to as many readers as possible, and we love being a tiny part of all that makes Anna’s legacy live on.”
Dewdney initially created Llama Llama Red Pajama for Berol and Cordelia, now 33 and 31, respectively. Both have deep-rooted memories of their mother’s dedication to bringing Llama to life. “Mom was always, always creating,” Cordelia recalled. “There would be little Llamas and other characters drawn on scraps of paper scattered about the house, as she often doodled while on the phone. We’ve kept every single piece or paper she drew on. She would jot down her thoughts as they struck, so often we would stumble across couplets or rhymes written in random places. Llama felt like another member of the family as she conjured up his various hijinks!”
Berol similarly shared “cherished memories” of their mother creating Llama and his world. “Walking into her studio was magic, as was talking to her about the characters as they turned from sketches into animated paintings,” she said. “I think those moments were so special for us for the same reason readers enjoy Llama—we all see our reflections in Llama’s expressions and know Mama Llama’s no-drama eyes all too well. In my mom’s art, we feel seen, understood, and loved—big feelings and all!”
A Lasting Llama Legacy
Margaret Anastas, publisher of Flamingo Books, who has been working on Llama Llama books since 2023, disclosed that further adventures lie ahead for this feisty fellow. “We have a strategic publishing plan for the coming years, with hardcover picture books serving as the cornerstone of our program,” she said. “We are also developing a variety of formats to bring Llama books to children for all of life’s moments—seasonal occasions as well as milestones, big and small.”
Anastas noted that Morrow, who has illustrated six Llama Llama board books and is currently working on his eighth hardcover, will continue to replicate Dewdney’s artistic vision in future books.
Over the past 20 years, Llama Llama has become a cultural touchstone beyond the page. Llama Llama Red Pajama has been adapted by Dolly Parton for a musical staged at Dollywood, and has been adapted and performed by musicians such as Ludacris, Migos, and Camila Cabello on the radio station Power 106 Los Angeles. The book was also chosen as Jumpstart’s Read for the Record book in 2011, setting the world benchmark at the time for the most readings of a single book in one day.
Dewdney’s character has also headlined the 2018 Netflix animated series Llama Llama, starring Jennifer Garner. Licensed products include Llama Llama plush toys from Kids Preferred and Tonies audio toys, and 2025 license launches will introduce apparel and accessories from Out of Print and ornaments from Old World Christmas.
On May 7, Berol and Cordelia will read from Llama Llama Red Pajama at a virtual event celebrating My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Reycraft), winner of the 2025 Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award. Given annually in honor of Dewdney to a picture book that sparks compassion, empathy, and connection, the award is sponsored by Penguin Young Readers, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader.
Reflecting on their mother’s creative legacy, Berol and Cordelia discussed the momentous ways she lives on for them. “I cannot even begin to express how meaningful it is to see Mom’s legacy continue through her many wonderful stories,” said Cordelia, an actor and artist. “I not only get my own memories of the sound of her voice, what it felt like to be hugged by her, her impeccable dance moves, and her smile—I get to see so many children read her books and be impacted by her creations. That keeps her memory alive and honors who she was as a mother, an artist, and a storyteller.”
“Teaching is the biggest honor of my life, and it is the biggest gift of my life to do it alongside my Mom with her books,” said Berol, who is now in her 12th year of teaching pre-kindergarten in Baltimore and was named Maryland’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. “There is no better landscape for kids to learn how to handle big feelings than the emotional terrain of Llama’s world. My mom’s deep commitment to the hearts and minds of children and the power of empathy inspired me to do the same. I’ve come to know the classroom as the truest expression of love and creativity, just as my mom saw her canvas.”
Cordelia underscored an enduring message that Llama Llama delivers to today’s young readers. “I feel the same burst of pride, awe, gratitude, and joy as ever when anyone shares their love for Llama to this day,” she said. “I feel my mother’s legacy of love just as strongly in her absence. I’m reminded of what she said best: ‘Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here.’ ”
Llama Llama Loves His Teacher by Anna Dewdney, illus. by JT Morrow. Viking, $9.99 Mar. ISBN 978-1-101-99719-2
