Alpaca Goes Back-a to School: A Picture Book

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

To my babies, whose BACK-a to school days were over far too quickly _ S.B-Q.

For Grace, who’s going to CRACK-a the best smile when she starts school! _L.H.

The illustrations were created by fusing hand-printed textures and painted brush marks with digital blocks of color.

Library of Congress Control Number 2024935816

ISBN 978-1-4197-7390-7

Published in 2025 by Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Abrams Appleseed ® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

For bulk discount inquiries, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

ABRAMS APPLESEED • NEW YORK

words by SUDIPTA BARDHAN-QUALLEN

pictures by LEEZA HERNANDEZ

It’s back-a to school time. Alpaca, come on!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Shake off the sleepies.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Did I see a yawn?

Pack-a a snack-a , take only one piece.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Lace up your shoesies and zip up your fleece.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Wild at the bus stop!

Please get in line. Go on, Alpaca.

(Your mom will be fine.)

I love you!

Miss you already!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Ribbit!

BYEEEEE!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Footsteps click-clack-a the length of the hall.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Principal Quack-a welcomes you all.

Where is your teacher?

You’re ready to learn. Look, it’s Miss Yak-a ! Will she be stern?

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Coat on the rack-a , bag on the shelf.

Can you find your cubby all by yourself?

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Circle time’s first.

Scooch a bit back-a .

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Make room for one more. So friendly, Alpaca!

Ready for art class?

Choose some bright hues.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Paints in a stack-a : reds, greens, and blues.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Where did your paint go?

Oops! On the floor.

Don’t sweat it, don’t fret _ Miss Yak-a has more.

And when you say thank you, crack-a a smile.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Minding your manners is always in style.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

WHEEEEE!

Swing on the playground.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Sing a new song.

Push trains on the track-a . Pull new friends along.

Working together. Learning each rule.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Is it naptime?

I need to pee!

My mom has those earrings!

Is it lunch yet?

You’re getting the knack-a of being at school.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

GREAT JOB!

Too quickly, the school day comes to an end.

Grab your backpack-a,

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

wave to your friends.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

You’ll dream of tomorrow when you hit the sack-a .

Your school will be waiting . . .

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

GETREADY , ALPAC A !

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook