The Girl and the Llama

Nora puts on her red boots and yellow rain jacket and climbs the green hill to Mountain Mist Farm, where clouds brush the mountain tops and a stream bubbles close by. At the gate, Farmer June greets her and shows her the animals, among them a cream-and-brown llama named Maple who wears a red harness with a tiny brass bell. Nora has never seen a llama before and wants to say hello straight away.

Her quick step and wave startle Maple, and Farmer June explains that the llama dislikes sudden movements and loud noises. Nora then tries being calm: she crouches low, offers hay on a flat hand, waits, whispers, and stops when Maple stops. The tale follows their growing friendship and a family mountain walk, and it can be read on Kids Tale Book. Jane MEADOW shows how patience and a quiet voice help an anxious animal feel safe.