Many children and their parents love the “Llama Llama” series of books by Anna Dewdney, but rarely can you get up close and personal with a llama. Attendees at Pierre Bottineau’s “Llamas at the Library” event held on Saturday, July 8 had the opportunity to pet, snuggle and get their photo taken with the Andean natives. Something in the llama’s sweet nature or maybe people experiencing something out of the ordinary made this a special event.
Rick Carlson from Carlson’s Lloveable Llamas in Waconia brought in five llamas for the occasion. Llamas are calm and gentle and are very social animals. They communicate with each other by humming, and contrary to the most common question asked at the event, they rarely spit. There was a consistent line to pet and to get a photo op with the llamas, and they seemed to enjoy the event as much as the people did.
Pierre Bottineau’s Children’s Librarian Baileigh Faust-Johnson organized theoutdoor event and reported over 300 people attended. A “Llama Llama” story book stroll was set up on the lawn as well as face painting, a sandbox, and other games. Tessie Bundick, a children’s book illustrator, was inside the library holding a workshop to teach children the art of drawing animals for children’s books. Her artwork is featured and available for purchase through September in the Children’s Reading Room at the library.
If you missed this event, Carlson will bring his llamas to other Hennepin County Libraries this summer. To check for dates and times and for other fun events at Pierre Bottineau Library, go to www.hclib.org and click on “events.”
Demetri Addison fed the llamas. Illustrator Tessie Bundick gave a children’s workshop at the library on drawing animals for children’s books. (Photos by Patti Hoffmann)
