When Marmaduke Duck makes some marmalade, he is soon surrounded by an eager assortment of animals, all desperate for a taste of the sweet treat. Finally the llama arrives on the scene, gobbling up the whole lot, and leaving Farmer Palmer to save the day by inviting everyone to a feast.Despite the slight story, the outstanding rhythm combined with compelling internal rhyming structure, interesting and entertaining vocabulary and strong repetition, make this a 'read again' choice for children from 3+. Although the very intensity of the rhyming can turn it into a bit of a tongue-twisting challenge for the unprepared reader. You'll be more confident with the second or third repetition.
Then down came a llama to view the panorama.An outstanding example of the 'three Rs' in children's stories: rhyme, rhythm and repetition.
And following the llama came a farmer in pyjamas
shouting "What's this game?"
You'll all alarm my llama, cried llama farmer Palmer.
The llama sure was calmer though, before the farmer came.
The bounding rhythm carries you through this story at breathtaking speed; the clever rhymes encourage children to begin to play with words, and the repetition encourages participation in the story.
Sarah Davis' illustrations are stunning, with bright bold colours and the expressive faces on the animals help tell the story. I have absolutely fallen for the llama who "went WHAM! in the jam, and ate the whole lot"
The large bright coloured illustrations, make this clearly visible to the back row of the story-time group (though spotting the gnat can be a challenge!); while also offering extra detail to reward closer inspection.
This has been an outstanding read-aloud success to large groups (15 or so kids), as well as being one of Mitchell's all-time favourites. While the story appeals to children from 3+ - who will happily join in the chant of "Marmaduke Duck eating marmalade jam!"; older children will really enjoy the clever word play: "quick, slick, lick of the jam in the pot"; and sophisticated readers will enjoy the homonyms (words spelled differently but which sound the same: llama, pyjamas, calmer).
It's definitely more suited to confident readers - and not recommended for those who find English challenging.
Shortlisted for the New Zealand Post Children's Book Picture Book Awards, for 2011 (and my personal pick for best in show).
An absolutely stunning book by a novice author. Here's hoping that we see many more.
