26th September Alpaca Day

Alpaca Day, celebrated annually on September 26th, was established to raise awareness about these gentle creatures and the sustainable, high-quality fibre they produce. While alpacas are native to South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, they have become increasingly popular in North America, Europe, and Australia over the past few decades.

There is no single National Alpaca Day; the date varies by country, with Peru celebrating it on 1st August and New Zealand celebrates it on the first Sunday in May. "Alpaca Day" in Australia typically refers to events during National Alpaca Week, celebrated this year from10th to 18th  May, and the annual Australian Alpaca National Show in August.

The establishment of Alpaca Day reflects the growing interest in sustainable and ethical fibre production, as alpacas are known for their eco-friendly characteristics. They have padded feet that are gentle on pastures, and they produce more fibre per pound of body weight than most other fibre-producing animals. This efficiency, combined with their low environmental impact, has made alpacas increasingly popular among environmentally conscious consumers and farmers alike.

There is not an abundance of picture books about alpacas. There's more with llamas, but these will get you reading.

All Australian children know Macca the Alpaca created by Matt Cosgrove and there now is more than six titles to explore.