Alpaca Picnic Panic

Alpaca Picnic Panic is a colourful picture book that follows two alpaca friends, Macca and Al, on a picnicking quest. As the story starts, the two are waiting for poor weather conditions to improve so that they can finally go out and have fun in the sun. When the sun emerges from behind the clouds, the two put together an elaborate range of picnic foods from pastries to sushi and stuff them all in a basket. As the pair cycle rapidly to their destination, picnic basket in tow, their speed and the sheer volume of snacks in their box result in each snack falling off along the way without the two noticing. In addition, the two experience a flat tire and get trapped in mud and arrive at their picnic spot incredibly tired and sweaty.

Already upset with the day’s events, the two then realize that their picnic basket is empty, each item having fallen off during their harrowing bike ride. Macca and Al are temporarily placated when two apples fall from the tree they are sitting under and the two express gratitude that, at least, they have some food and the weather is sunny. However, immediately after making these remarks, the two are greeted with a downpour of rain but again are cheerful, insisting that, regardless of the weather, the two friends always have a good time.

Matt Cosgrove’s short rhyming verses guarantee a silly sing along that will keep younger readers laughing and engaged. His illustrations match the mad cap, carefree tone and encourage others to embrace Macca and Al’s cheerful gratitude and appetite for adventures, wherever they lead.