BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Back when he was Art Director of Marie Claire fashion magazine, Matt Cosgrove probably didn’t see an alpaca-bedecked Christmas jumper in his future!  

However, as one of Australia’s most successful picture book creators, Matt has embraced all the fun that comes with Macca the Alpaca, Dharma the Llama and their long-necked friends, and we’re excited to report that there’s more fun coming.  

Matt’s next picture book, Dharma the Christmas Llama, is out on 1 October, and because it’s never too early to share a great read with your little one (or count down the days till Christmas shopping), we’re excited!  

This book promises stacks of festive fun, and Matt has been kind enough to sit down for a fireside chat (figuratively speaking) and give us a peek inside its pages.  

You’ll find all the dazzling details in our Q&A below, plus you have a chance to win five Matt Cosgrove books, signed by their creator!  

KINDICARE: Thanks for your time, Matt. Macca the Alpaca encountered a nasty llama called Harmer in your first camelid-themed picture book, but when did you get the idea for Dharma the loveable llama? 

MATT: Dharma the Llama has actually been around from the very beginning of my picture books!  

Before Macca the Alpaca was even published, Dharma was there in initial drafts of various stories as Macca’s book-loving girlfriend. However, to simplify storylines, she was edited out.  

As the series expanded I thought about bringing Dharma back – but it didn’t feel right for her to be relegated to the girlfriend role. She needed to be the star of her own series! 

KINDICARE: This is true, and it’s great to see that Dharma now has three books to her name and has won hearts around the world.   

Why do you think this low-key llama has made such a huge impression? 

MATT: I think it’s because Dharma stays true to herself in all situations and somehow manages to always save the day, thanks to her trusty books! 

KINDICARE: She’s a great role model for preschoolers, and we’re guessing the next day she has to save is Christmas Day? 

MATT: Yes, that’s right! In Dharma the Christmas Llama, Dharma 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, Dharma has to step up to help save Christmas. 

KINDICARE: It looks like you’ve had a lot of fun drawing candy canes, bells, gift boxes and other festive goodies for this story.  

Which part of the book-making process brought you the most joy?   

MATT: It was such a fun story to bring to life, but I was especially happy that I could finally use the rhyme of ‘Nut Cracker’ with ‘Alpaca’ when Macca performs a Christmas ballet.  

There aren’t actually that many words that rhyme with ‘Alpaca’ that I haven’t used already, and I’ve been trying to fit ‘Nut Cracker’ into one of my books for a while, so this was the moment! 

KINDICARE: It was definitely the moment, and now that we’re a ‘mere’ three months out from Christmas, are you super excited about the festive season, like Macca, or low-key, like Dharma?  

MATT: I really fluctuate wildly between being a jolly Christmas elf and being The Grinch, so I enjoyed being able to show both sides in this story.  

I do always love decorating the Christmas tree, though, and I am a precision present-wrapper!  

I’m not too fussy about the specifics of the festive season, but if there is lots of chocolate and loads of books to read, then I’m happy. 

KINDICARE: Over the years, you’ve had massive and much-deserved success as a children’s book creator. What are some of your best experiences so far? 

MATT: There have been big events, like National Simultaneous Storytime 2019, where over 1.1 million people across Australia and New Zealand read Alpacas with Maracas at the same time, and quiet moments, like a hand-written thank you letter dotted with love hearts from a little fan saying my books made her ‘smile out loud’.  

All of those experiences, and everything in between, are special to me. 

KINDICARE: Just hearing that makes us smile out loud, and because everyone loves a Matt Cosgrove book, what can we look forward to after Dharma the Christmas Llama? 

MATT: There are definitely more Macca the Alpaca adventures planned, but for now, I’m wrapping up the Worst Week Ever! middle grade series with my wife and co-creator, Eva.  

We’ve finished from Monday to Friday and we’re up to writing Saturday, so I’m focused on that at the moment, and will then be back to Macca, Dharma and their furry friends.  

Stay tuned! 

Win five festive books, signed by Matt Cosgrove! 

To celebrate the release of Dharma the Christmas Llama (and get us all counting down the days till Chrimbo), we’re giving away a stack of very special Matt Cosgrove books. 

Thanks to Scholastic Australia, one KindiCare reader will win a signed copy of:  

• Dharma the Llama 
• Llamas in Pyjamas 
• Dharma the Christmas Llama
• Macca’s Christmas Crackers, and
• Macca the Alpaca Christmas Sticker Book 

Matt has also signed some bookmarks to go with these very merry titles, and put in a Christmas card for extra cheer!  

So, how do you enter? 

Well, it’s easy.  

Simply skip on over to KindiCare’s Instagram or Facebook page and follow the instructions, then make a Christmas wish that the winner will be you!