Anna, Llama and Me

Even now, a couple years later it just breaks my heart to realize that Anna's children are now without their Momma and the magic of Anna is quieted. I was lucky enough to meet her when our children were just wee ones and became very close friends. My daughter was given the gift of magic from all those play dates and sleepovers she had at the Dewdney house. This Christmas I gave some of that magic to my 8 month old grandson with his first Llama, Llama book. I have no words for you, Tracy, except to send you some hugs and to thank you for this article.

A stunning tribute to Anna, whose generous spirit shines through your words. Thank you for taking us along on both your brief sojourn to the the southwest—and your longer journey as friends and colleagues.

I am so glad I took the time to read this beautiful piece, Tracy. It made me feel like I got to know Anna just a little bit. Her books meant the world to me when my now teenage son was small. When we heard she died several years ago we had to rediscover their magic all over again. She must have been a special person and you are lucky to have shared her friendship.

Anna’s books are so very special. She had great talent. My children adore all the lama books. She touched many lives through her work and will continue to do so for generations.

What a touching and moving article! I actually got a little teary eyed and that rarely happens. Tracy, thank you for sharing. Well done.

Thank you Tracy for this moving story. I am so proud of Anna, my daughter. We miss her so much. Thank you for what you did to help her, to stand beside her, and to bring her back for a few moments.

Thank you for this beautiful tribute to such a beautiful person. I’m glad she never gave up; her books were one of few refuges when I was alone with the screamiest of toddlers, and I had the privilege of meeting her, toddler in tow, at a book festival. Now when I read her books to my children (even that toddler, who has outgrown her screaming but not Anna’s work), I point out the little drawings she made and her sweet dedications and we talk about how lucky we are to have people like that come in and out of our lives. Now I find myself an editor and aspiring author with young kids, enthusiastically restoring an old Vermont house, and your account gives me hope.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and story. Anna'a writing (and ostesibly, your editing) has played a major role in the lives of our young children. We received the latest in the series yesterday (Llama Llama learns to read) just before I saw this article. These books communicate values in such a fun way, capturing our kids attention. Messages delivered from Nelly Gnu, or the Bully Goat, are far more impactful than an open discussion with dad. My wife and I read this article together and found it incredibly touching. With gratitude, Darren

Thank you Tracy for all you have done to help Anna share her talent with so many children and their families. And thank you for sharing your love of Anna with all of us. You really captured what made her so amazing. Anna was a neighbor and a dear friend. I miss her everyday and think of her whenever I see the house she worked so hard to restore from my kitchen window. I remember vividly that beautiful September day she left us, likely working on another story before she went. I know her studio is packed with so many more stories she wanted to share with children and their families. I hope that they are able to be told in the years to come and you are there to continue to help her share them.

What a beautiful description of a friendship (and two women) evolving over time. I’m sorry for your loss. For all of our loss. Her books really were extraordinary. The rhymes roll of your tongue, the stories are simple but true and the illustrations and perfect. They’re the kind of books that make it look easy. Blessings to you and all the other llamas missing their “mamas”.

I didn't know Anna had passed away until I read this. In 2015 when my younger daughter was born, her "present" to her older sister in the Weill Cornell hospital room in New York City was a stuffed Llama Llama in his red pajama. What a sad but beautiful article on a gifted writer, mother and friend. I will treasure Anna's books even more so now.

Anna was such a lovely person and terrific author/illustrator. She opened up her studio to those of us in children's publishing that lived nearby, and I loved visiting her during one of those invitations. Thank you for writing about your relationship with such understanding and kindness.

Llama Llama Red Pajama gave me my first glimpse of a drama-free bedtime. I was babysitting triplet nephews and niece, and LLRP was standard operating procedure each night. I applied its lessons when I became a parent and remain ever grateful to Anna Dewdney and all involved in the publication of her books. She blessed the world in the time she spent here.

Thank you so much for sharing this...I went to high school with Anna (then Luhrmann) and remember her as one of the sweetest people I've ever known. I'd been reading her books to my daughter and loving them for a couple of years before I realized that Anna Dewdney was the same person. I was very sad when I read of her passing and uplifted by the release of the Netflix animated adaptation of her work that released earlier this year. It was a lot of fun watching Anna's work come to life with my little girl.

It wasn’t Llama Llama, but a child’s questions about another storybook might be apposite: Why does it stop here? Why does it have to end?

This is so beautifully written. Like countless others, I’ve loved these books & have made sure all three of my daughters have copies to take into their own lives. You probably saved her life in ways you will never know. Thank you for sharing a little about your very talented, lovely friend who has touched so many tender nights in homes around the world.