Couch for Llama

When a family finds a surprising new home for an old couch, a llama becomes the happiest creature of all. The Lago family really loves their couch. It’s perfect for reading, snuggling, playing, and jumping. But all good things must come to an end, and, one day, the family realizes the time has come to replace it. As they drive home with their brand-new bright-red couch, though, it gets knocked off the top of their car into a field . . . where a llama tries to make sense of this new thing. At first confused—It doesn’t talk! It doesn’t taste good! It doesn’t budge!—the llama soon realizes how comfy the couch is and settles right in. Can the family get its furniture back—and keep llama happy, too? Leah Gilbert has written and illustrated a warm picture book that touches both the heart and the funny bone.

“The Lago family’s couch needs replacing, so they set off for the furniture store, where, after a few Goldilocks-style tries, they find a couch that’s just right—a bright red, swoopy armed number. While driving home, the ropes securing the new couch to the Lagos’ car come undone and, unbeknownst to the family, the couch flies off into a field. There, an astonished llama cautiously approaches the large red visitor and tries to welcome it by braying hello and sharing some tasty grass—to no effect. After a quick nibble of the upholstery (disgusting!), Llama’s interest fades into frustration over the couch’s uselessness. So he pounces on it and is flung gleefully upward in a series of entertainingly illustrated bounces, until settling on the soft cushions, utterly smitten. Llama’s expressively depicted interactions with the sofa are priceless, and his emotional journey verges on heartbreak when the Lagos show up to retrieve their missing couch. Luckily, their old one is perfect for llama lounging. This fun read is guaranteed to put a spring in any reader’s step.” —Booklist    “When the Lago family has sat, spilled, and jumped on their beloved couch one time too many, a misadventure equal parts practical and absurd begins. The racially mixed family of five (dad has brown skin and straight, black hair; mom is white; children are brown) piles into their cramped car and travels through the rural setting into town, where the furniture store is having a sale. They find their new couch and strap it to the roof. On the way home, unbeknownst to the Lagos, the couch slips off the roof and into a field, where a curious llama awaits. At first the llama doesn't know what to make of the couch. It's unfriendly, tastes terrible, and won't move. Exasperated, he flops down on the couch—and then understands its function. When the Lago family returns to the field to claim the couch, the llama refuses to give it up. The family is too thoughtful to leave the llama empty-handed, so they come up with a plan to satisfy everyone. The sweet and silly premise comes to life through the illustrations. Small details express the family's tenderness and frugality. The llama is endearing, and his curiosity and playfulness shine. . . . A fun blend of realistic and ridiculous that will appeal to a broad audience.” —Kirkus Reviews  , “The Lago family’s couch needs replacing, so they set off for the furniture store, where, after a few Goldilocks-style tries, they find a couch that’s just right—a bright red, swoopy armed number. While driving home, the ropes securing the new couch to the Lagos’ car come undone and, unbeknownst to the family, the couch flies off into a field. There, an astonished llama cautiously approaches the large red visitor and tries to welcome it by braying hello and sharing some tasty grass—to no effect. After a quick nibble of the upholstery (disgusting!), Llama’s interest fades into frustration over the couch’s uselessness. So he pounces on it and is flung gleefully upward in a series of entertainingly illustrated bounces, until settling on the soft cushions, utterly smitten. Llama’s expressively depicted interactions with the sofa are priceless, and his emotional journey verges on heartbreak when the Lagos show up to retrieve their missing couch. Luckily, their old one is perfect for llama lounging. This fun read is guaranteed to put a spring in any reader’s step.” —Booklist    “When the Lago family has sat, spilled, and jumped on their beloved couch one time too many, a misadventure equal parts practical and absurd begins. The racially mixed family of five (dad has brown skin and straight, black hair; mom is white; children are brown) piles into their cramped car and travels through the rural setting into town, where the furniture store is having a sale. They find their new couch and strap it to the roof. On the way home, unbeknownst to the Lagos, the couch slips off the roof and into a field, where a curious llama awaits. At first the llama doesn't know what to make of the couch. It's unfriendly, tastes terrible, and won't move. Exasperated, he flops down on the couch—and then understands its function. When the Lago family returns to the field to claim the couch, the llama refuses to give it up. The family is too thoughtful to leave the llama empty-handed, so they come up with a plan to satisfy everyone. The sweet and silly premise comes to life through the illustrations. Small details express the family's tenderness and frugality. The llama is endearing, and his curiosity and playfulness shine. . . . A fun blend of realistic and ridiculous that will appeal to a broad audience.” —Kirkus Reviews  

Leah Gilbert is a greeting card designer from Denver, CO. This is her debut book. You can see more of Leah’s work at leah-gilbert.com.