Auntie’s remembers ‘Llama Llama’ author on Saturday

Author Anna Dewdney had a passion for reading to children.

Dewdney, the author of the popular “Llama Llama” children’s books, died Sept. 3 of brain cancer. She was 50.

Her obituary posted on Publishers Weekly ended with Dewdney’s request that in lieu of services, people read to a child.

Janelle Smith, Auntie’s children’s manager and buyer, wanted to honor that request. On Saturday, the store will host Llama Llama Remember Mama.

Smith spent most of two days with Dewdney when the author visited Spokane in 2014.

“I really appreciated how she was all about kids deserve books, kids deserve to be read to,” Smith said.

At Saturday’s event, guests from local schools will read some of Dewdney’s books. After the readings, a costumed llama will be in the store for pictures until about 3 p.m.

Also Saturday, the store will be collecting donations of children’s books that will be given to Sacred Heart Children Hospital for pediatric cancer patients.

And those who can’t come to the store can still be part of the event. Dewdney’s fans can share photos, memories and thoughts on social media using the hashtag #llamallamaremembermama.

Smith hopes Llama Llama Remember Mama will become an annual event. Next year she plans to have it in September, at the anniversary of Dewdney’s death.

The “Llama Llama” books address a variety of childhood issues, like being afraid to go to bed, Smith said.

“She was just great about pinpointing those childhood issues that needed to be talked about,” and at a level where children could see, “that’s me,” Smith said.

Kimberly Lusk