What are people saying about Zadie and Plain Vanilla, the Rainbow Alpaca? Well, little Scherezade, above, was only 10 days old and too young to respond but here's what others are saying.
Alpaca Culture Magazine, http://alpacaculture.com is a national magazine devoted to the American alpaca industry. There is a wealth of alpaca information on their website.
They were kind enough to review Zadie and Plain Vanilla, the Rainbow Alpaca in the March 2013 issue. This is what they said:
Zadie and Plain Vanilla, the Rainbow Alpaca
Written by Barb Blount Ziek, illustrated by Denise V Duker
This charming children’s book features a human family and their little girl Zadie’s interactions with the alpaca herd that lives on their farm. From the day spunky Plain Vanilla the cria is born, her antics stir up a lot of trouble and colorful fun. Plot twists include a scary storm that causes Plain Vanilla to crash into Zadie’s “Frooty Bright” drink stand and make a rainbow of her pure white fleece. The end of the book includes instructions on two kid friendly craft projects: how to dye alpaca fiber with powdered drink mixes and how to make an alpaca felt bead. There is also a page of educational facts about alpacas and a section called Alpaca Tales: Family and Friends, Spitting and Bad Manners, detailing real life alpaca adventures on the author’s farm. The book is sold alone or with a package of roving for the crafts included. Buy it online at: http://wildhairpress.weeblycom/store.html
The Bangor News ( http://bangordailynews.com/2013/05/21/news/bangor/raising-alpacas-can-be-an-enriching-experience/) had an article about Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm in Unity, Maine. In that article is the following article: "Two years ago Northern Solstice opened its store, Fibers of Unity, at the farm. The store is stocked with handspun and mill spun alpaca yarn, rovings, hand knit and commercially made hats, gloves, mittens, socks, boot liners and other clothing made with alpaca fiber, or blends that include merino wool or bamboo. One unique product is fishing flies tied with alpaca fiber and made by a local artisan. Some of the products are made by family-owned businesses in Peru. Shoppers will find a wealth of items in the store suitable for all members of the family regardless of age or gender, including a book the farm sponsored, “Zadie and Plain Vanilla, The Rainbow Alpaca” by Barbara Blount Ziek. “I can’t think of a better way to educate children about alpacas,” Fowler said. For information about Fibers of Unity, go to fibersofunity.com."
A seven year old girl in Illinois, when asked by her grandmother if she liked "Zadie and Plain Vanilla, the Rainbow Alpaca," said,