Dharma the Christmas Llama by Matt Cosgrove

Title: Dharma the Christmas Llama

Author: Matt Cosgrove

Genre: Christmas

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 1^st October 2023

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 24

Price: $18.99

Synopsis: Dharma the Llama is hiding away from the hustle and bustle of the silly season so she can read her new book in peace. But when her friend, Macca the Alpaca, needs some festive help, will Dharma find a way to save Christmas?

~*~

Dharma wants to enjoy Christmas quietly while she reads her book. But everyone is in a state of chaos around her as they go shopping, decorate, party, and wrap presents. Dharma does like Christmas – but she’s just not as loud about it as her friends. Poor Macca, who loves everything about Christmas, needs her help to save Christmas – so what can they do together to make the day special for everyone?

Dharma and Macca have come together again in the latest book in the series celebrating Christmas. Both have very different ideas of what they like to do for Christmas. And in his time of need, Macca comes to Dharma for help as everyone else is having too much fun. Dharma may just have a perfect solution to help Macca – and so everyone can enjoy Christmas in their way.

I love the Macca and Dharma books and have been reading them for the past few years. Each one starts by introducing a character – in this case Dharma, and her favourite activity which is reading. As Dharma finds a way to help Macca, she learns that there are all sorts of ways to enjoy Christmas. Seeing Dharma embrace the chaos and the calm was very enjoyable and I loved the way she was able to share her love and passion to find everyone the perfect gift. It showed that you don’t always need a list or a party or a set idea of what people need to do for Christmas to make it the perfect day. The fun is in finding what you know they will like, or sharing something you love, and helping a friend create Christmas for everyone. Yes, traditions are nice, but it can be just as fun creating a day that is unique and not the same as it is all the time.

Dharma and Macca are amongst my favourite characters, and I love the way they worked together in this book, illustrating that even if you have two vastly different personalities, there are wonderful ways you can work together to make Christmas special for everyone around you. And what better way to kick off the Christmas season than with Macca and Dharma? I’m loving all these Christmas books that have a different take – an Australian take, a Macca take, an inclusive take or something that hasn’t been done before. It makes Christmas exciting and shows the breadth of things that can be done with stories about Christmas. Another wonderful book from Matt Cosgrove.