The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – Local families came out to celebrate Mother’s Day early at Mother Moon Baby Boutique today.

The store hosted a book signing with Sussex County resident, Deborah Guarino, who penned the book, Is Your Mama a Llama?, a book that has now been popular for 23 years, and counting.

The book, which was illustrated by known illustrator Steven Kellogg, was recommended by the Oprah Book Club for Kids and was chosen for the “One Book, One Denver” literacy program. It comes in both paperback and board book versions, with rhymes to introduce children to pairs of mother animals with their babies.

“I think my customers were very pleased,” said Mother Moon Baby Boutique owner, Leigh Pecoriello.

Pecoriello said there were a dozen copies on reserve as well in the store for her clients who were not able to attend the event.

“Deborah signed a copy for my new little one who is three months old,” said Pecoriello.

Pecoriello said as she reads the book to her baby, she flaps her arms and enjoys the story.

“We were very excited for this event, we got a great response,” said Pecoriello’s husband, Mark.

Guarino was introduced to the store when stopping in to go shopping for two babies in her life.

“It’s popular this month as a choice because of babies and mamas,” said Guarino.

Guarino advises budding children’s book authors to choose a universal theme when writing a book.

“It’s a perennial book here for the ages,” Guarino said. “I give the advice to not make it the topics of the moments, because people may not be interested in it the next year.”

Part of the charm with Guarino’s book, she said, is how children anticipate the next verse.

“It doesn’t have the typical language, it gives them more of a challenge,” she said.

Guarino’s book has received several nods in popular culture.

“It’s been an amazing ride all of these years,” said Guarino, noting some of the places where it has appeared.

Guarino received a phone call that Is Your Mama a Llama? Made it to “Jeopardy” as one of the clues. “That most impressed my family,” she said.

And then on the first episode of the show, “Medium”, a show Guarino normally watched, where Patricia Arquette’s character was deaf as part of the plotline, Arquette’s onscreen children are heard reading, Is Your Mama a Llama? Guarino said at the end of the episode, Arquette’s hearing returns, and she hears her children reading the book, and starts quoting lines from it.

“The book went viral from that,” Guarino said.

Is Your Mama a Llama? has had a couple of other celebrity brushes.

One was with Jennifer Garner reading it at a book expo, and the second was when Guarino met “Friends” star Matthew Perry. Perry thought Guarino was approaching him for an autograph, and, instead was surprised when she presented him with a book.

For more information about Mother Moon Baby Boutique click here.

For more information about how Deborah Guarino can visit a school, library, or literacy event, call (973) 862-9275, or click here.