Alpaca is allergic to apples which is terrible since they live together at the start of the alphabet, she never complains, just avoids the apples until a crazy incident causes them to collide. Beginning with spots and sneezing, chaos erupts, and an avalanche sends poor Alpaca to the other end of the of the alphabet.
When Alpaca considers moving away from A and the apples for good, her friends step in, a funny ending prevails along with a lovely message about sharing your problems with friends.
The illustrations are filled with expression and movement; they work in unity with the text and build Alpaca’s humble and lively character, the adorable endpapers feature characters from the alphabet and give readers a little extra information to leave them thinking and imagining.
I loved the unique concept of the alphabet being a physical place and the unexpected plot which reminded me of stories that my kids and I make up on the go with unrelated bounds and leaps, only in this one, it all comes together beautifully.
While the story is fast paced, it offers plenty of space and opportunity to discuss allergies and the alphabet and could lead on to related activities. This fabulous book is a debut for author Kiah Thomas. Connah Brecon has illustrated many books including Wolfie: An Unlikely Hero and The Book Chook.
Title: Allergic Alpaca
Author: Kiah Thomas
Illustrator: Connah Brecon
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760503437
For ages: 3 - 99
Type: Picture Book