Arcadia Bestsellers

“Forget Dancer, Prancer, Comet, and Vixen. . . . Good Clement, wherever he is, will not be gnashing his teeth.” —New York Times Book Review

Take the classic story of jolly old St. Nicholas, place it in a Louisiana bayou setting, dress Santa Claus in muskrat “from his head to his foot,” pile his skiff high with toys, and hitch it to eight friendly alligators. The result is this modern classic. Fifty years after its first appearance, Cajun Night Before Christmas® has sold more than one million copies and has served as the model for Pelican’s ongoing, best-selling Night Before Christmas Series.  The Cajun Night Before Christmas® has been a part of Louisiana’s holiday traditions since it was first published in 1973. A delight to both young and old with its rustic full-color illustrations and lively story, it has become a timeless addition to holiday celebrations far beyond south Louisiana, reaching all corners of the country with its charming presentation of Christmas on the bayou and the break-out star of Gaston® the Green-Nosed Alligator.  

Conceived by J. B. Kling, Jr., Cajun Night Before Christmas® originally appeared as a Christmas message from Bergeron Plymouth Company of New Orleans. Under the pseudonymous byline “Trosclair,” the story won a Clio Award in 1967 from the Academy of Television and Radio Advertising.

Brought to life by the talented James Rice, the humorous illustrations of a colorful bayou Christmas have been nationally recognized as a classic in its genre.  Featuring eight pages of curated content released from the Pelican archives, this slipcased, numbered Fiftieth Anniversary Limited Edition showcases the rich legacy of storytelling within our state and the far reach that a humble (or not so humble!) gator has had on Cajun culture, Louisiana, and the entire country.

The McGuffey Readers are among the best known schoolbooks in the history of American education, having sold more than 120 million copies since the time of their first publication in 1836.

The tried and true McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader develops basic reading comprehension skills for children as young as three all the way to adults learning to read. Using stories, word lists, phonics charts, and 19th-century illustrations, it is a timeless teaching tool. This is the revised 1879 edition. 

This sunny and funny story follows a child alligator from New York City as he visits his grandma in her Florida home.

I love my grandma and grandma loves me, he says, as they visit Florida's beautiful beaches and amazing amusement parks, but the best thing of all is just getting to be with grandma! Everyone will find something in the story to remind them of their own relationships with beloved grandparents or grandchildren. With bouncing rhymes and colorful illustrations, grandparents, parents and children are sure to love reading this story again and again!

When we go inside, grandma gives me a kiss. In fact there's no place on my face she will miss

I may wriggle and giggle and grumble and hiss, but only a grandma can kiss you like this.

Author Ed Shankman and illustrator Dave O'Neill began creating their award-winning children's books in New England, with stories on Boston, Cape Cod, Maine, and Vermont. In 2011 they turned their attention to New Orleans, Louisiana, and in 2013 they travel to the Sunshine State, Florida!

A richly illustrated and beloved children’s book about the world travels of Owney, the canine mascot of the United States Postal Service from 1888-1897, originally published in 1935.

With charming illustrations on every page and sweet, simple prose, Owney the Postal Dog tells the heartwarming true story of a homeless puppy who became the most well-traveled dog in the world.

Owney, a friendly terrier mix, snuck into the Albany, New York Post Office in 1888, and the postmen decided to keep him. One day Owney hopped into the mail car of a train bound for New York City. After returning home safe and sound, Owney soon set off on longer railroad journeys to Washington, D.C., Chicago, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Mexico. Everywhere he went, mail clerks hung tags and badges on his collar.

In 1895 Owney embarked on his biggest adventure yet: a steamship trip around the world. Owney wore a tag that read:

To all who may meet this dog: Owney is his name. He is the pet of 100,000 postal clerks in the United States of America. He starts today, August 19, 1895, for a trip around the world. Treat him kindly and speed him on his journey across the ocean and land, to Yokohama, Hong Kong, and New York. From New York send him overland to Tacoma by fast mail.

Originally published in 1935, Owney’s story continues to delight children with its timelessly fascinating subjects of transportation, world travel, and a lovable dog. This book is also perfect for anyone interested in the rich history of the Railway Post Office and the United States Postal Service, both of which Owney served during his lifetime.

Inspired by the spicy humor of Cajun Night Before Christmas® and the authors’ own chaotic holiday experiences, this is the story of St. Nick, an alligator named Pierre, and the Boudreau family’s post-Christmas blues.

Boudreau needs to get away. His children are hollering as they play with their new toys, and his wife has cleaned out their pocketbook after buying Christmas gifts and treats. As he drifts down the bayou on a moonlit night, Boudreau spies Pierre, one of St. Nicholas’ alligators that has been left behind! Boudreau offers Pierre a home to keep him safe from hunters and trappers.

Will St. Nick ever come back for his lost gator? And what will Boudreau’s children think of this new pet? The antics of this cast of characters are sure to induce laughter and add a fun twist to the original story!

Have y'all seen Scrim?

Scrim the dog got loose in the Big Easy, and New Orleans may never be the same. Known for his wiry fur and mischievous antics, Scrim has become a beloved figure in the city, darting through neighborhoods, dodging potholes, and leaving a trail of smiles wherever he goes.

Hold on to your car’s alignment. In this parody of the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon, sleepy readers will dream of orange cones and chicken bones, blown out tires and downed wires, and so many more amusing rhymes in this funny-but-true take on eroding roads.

The traditional trappings of Christmas at school--the pageant, a visit to a local nursing home, crafts, and the room mothers' party--all end in chaos, but Santa Claus appears to present a solution to all the teachers' Christmas woes.

It's the Christmas Eve shift at Firehouse One. All the firefighters are sitting down to bowls of hot chili when an old fireman stops by for a bite to eat. The firemen have to leave to fight a fire and return to find that he was not an ordinary firefighter-they were visited by Sgt. St. Nick!

After her chicks drift off to sleep, Mother Pelican takes flight. From Shreveport to New Orleans, she visits many of the places that make Louisiana special. All the while, she thinks about her babies sleeping peacefully in their nest. Mother Pelican knows that we carry the ones we love in our hearts, no matter where we go.

Louisa May Alcott's An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is filled with the warmth of character and family life that has made Alcott a favorite for over 100 years.

In this story of an 1820s Thanksgiving, a woman must leave her children to care for her ailing mother. She goes away on Thanksgiving Day, and the children decide to prepare their own Thanksgiving feast. Later that day, to the children's surprise, Mother returns to find a delightful dinner on the table.

Rougarou loves to play, and sing, and dance—just like you do! But she looks a little different, and sometimes people who don’t know her think she is scary. So she stays in the swamp and acts silly with her friends, who love her just the way she is. But on one very special day each year, Rougarou leaves the swamp. It is a day when everyone loves to play, and sing, and dance. People dress up in colorful costumes and go to parades. Can you guess what day it is? It’s Mardi Gras, of course!

           In her sequined costume, Rougarou sparkles and dazzles on Mardi Gras Day as she hits the streets. She stops for beignets, and then she tracks down the Mardi Gras Indians, whose costumes are even more fabulous than her own. A quick bite of gumbo and she is off to cheer on Rex. There are so many adventures to have on Mardi Gras Day! Everywhere there is music. Everywhere there are smiling people.

           This fun, brightly colored tour of a New Orleans Mardi Gras introduces children to what makes the day so special as well as everyone’s favorite Carnival customs.

Shankman & O'Neill have done it again, this time on the shores of a beautiful lake. In their newest romp, a young family spends joyful summers lakeside surrounded by nature .

Dive in and just picture the fishes that called that lake home - that would wriggle and dive, blow their bubbles, and roam. Listen to the nighttime critters: The beat was just so, when the volume would grow, and the fireflies added some light to the show. And the daytime animals? They ran and they sat and they ate and they hid; they did all the same things that the rest of us did.

A true celebration of spending summer days outdoors, em>The Lake I Love is a beautiful, rhyming adventure that you'll love sharing with your family and friends.

Sing along with the Carnival version of the favored nursery rhyme “The Wheels on the Bus.” This playful parody entertains with festive flair, as during Mardi Gras, it’s not a bus but a decorated float brimming with beads that delight the youngest parade-goers. Through engaging art and fun prose, children are transported to the parade route, enchanted by the magical sights and scenes of the season. 

Excitement fills every page! Tractors honk to the crowds as they pass, pulling the floats all Mardi Gras long. As beads fly through the air and crowds cheer, “Throw me something, mister!” drums boom and dance teams twirl. The best of a young reveler’s favorite Carnival parades are all found here. Join in the fun as the floats roll all through the town!

The rhythmic flow of the verse and colorful illustrations immerse readers in the joyous and culturally rich experience of Mardi Gras. Perfect for read-aloud sessions and interactive story times, this whimsical yet educational introduction to the Carnival celebration is an ideal addition to preschools, library shelves, and home collections. 

Gold/Honors Award Winner
National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Children’s Products
The Big Read 2010
Recommended Reading List for the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools

Based on a popular song adapted by the multi-award-winning New Orleans singer-songwriter Johnette Downing, Today Is Monday in Louisiana rhythmically takes readers through a culinary calendar, describing a Louisiana meal a day. Now adapted to board book format for tiny hands, each page presents collaged images of yummy foods. On Monday there are red beans to eat and on Tuesday, po’ boys. On Wednesday gumbo is served, and on it goes, each day bringing another unique and tasty Louisiana dish to share.

Down in a southern swamp, a family of crawfish face a big problem. Their three sons have grown too large and their nice, cozy den is now uncomfortably crowded. Poppa and Mama decide it's time for their sons to leave home and build their own dens. In this twist on a classic tale, Poppa warns the three little crawfish that they must be careful of the sly, ole 'coon. That raccoon has a big appetite for juicy crawfish! Charming illustrations and humorous rhymes create a delightful adventure for beginning readers in this bedtime favorite.

How would the animals celebrate their Seder? There's mayhem at the zoo when not a single animal can find a Haggadah that isn't too worn to read. Then, Shai Elephant remembers the ceremony and soon each animal has its own role in the Pesach celebration. This fanciful and funny Passover verse invites all to share a tongue-twister, chant the Dah-yaynoo with Horsey, steal the Afikoman with a Baboon, and end the meal with Lion's Ma-Roar.

Saint Emergency Nick pays the hospital staff a surprise visit on Christmas Eve with helpful elves, new supplies, and even a Christmas tree.

Get ready to stomp and chomp to that mambo beat! When carnival time rolls into New Orleans, these hip dinosaurs want to boogie on down. Iguanodon wiggles to the music of a marching band, while Zigongosaurus dances zydeco and Pterodactyal swoops into the crowd. From singing tunes and tossing beads, these big beasts sure know how to party. Laissez les bon temps rugir!

Santa’s running late! Luckily, a scruffy white pup knows New Orleans by heart, and he’s ready to save Christmas.

Scrim the dog is based on a true story of a scraggly, little white terrier named Scrim that captured the hearts of New Orleanians when he was on the run in the city for many months; he even jumped out of a second story window after he was apprehended! A portion of all book sales will be donated by the author to local animal rescues and animal welfare organizations.

"This is not just a story—it’s a legend in the making." —Macaroni KID

Meet Lucas the little longhorn, a pint-sized dreamer with a heart as big as the Lone Star State. When Lucas decides to build the greatest ranch Texas has ever seen, he knows he can’t do it alone. So he rounds up his team of small critters (even tiny Meadow Mouse Pete) and “little by little, they build something great—the biggest little ranch in the whole darn state!”

With its rollicking rhymes and vibrant illustrations, Lucas the Little Longhorn invites readers big and small to remember that little bodies can build great things, especially when we work together. “There’s something about doing things as a crew, that can make almost anything more fun to do!”

A celebration of friendship, courage, and teamwork, Lucas the Little Longhorn will delight and inspire even the littlest readers to follow their dreams, no matter how big!

Prize-winning Atlantic Online cartoonist Sage Stossel has created her next Find the Animals book with On the Loose in New Orleans. Children will have hours of fun finding the Audubon Zoo animals around the Big Easy—whether a monkey on a riverboat, a giraffe in Jackson Square, or elephants eating beignets! Over 100 animals are hiding cleverly in favorite New Orleans locations in this colorfully illustrated rhyming picture book.

It's Christmas Eve, and this police officer is on patrol. He encounters Sergeant Kringle, who takes over his patrol so the cop can go home to his family. This whimsical illustrated tale for young readers is a tribute to law-enforcement officers everywhere.

The members of Spring Lane Creek Church are in a panic. Their baby Jesus is sick, the choir hates their newly made Christmas robes, and the overused and underserviced church copy machine is on the blitz. Tears are shed, screams are heard, and just when it seems the congregation might organize a revolt against Pastor McDougall, Santa appears in the pastor�s office. He gently points the pastor to the Bible, reminding him of the true miracle of Christmas. When Pastor McDougall emerges, he finds his congregation glowing from the same message delivered to them by Saint Nick.

It�s the night before Halloween, and these witches still have many last-minute things to do! In this spooky parody of Clement C. Moore�s famous Christmas poem, the witches are up to their elbows in cobwebs and slime, trying to make sure their witchlings are well prepared for their first Halloween broomstick ride. Featuring witches like Mad-Maud and Snaggle-Tooth-Ruth and plenty of ghouls, zombies, monsters, skeletons, and moldy cellars that will satisfy all Halloween lovers, this good-natured book about these wickedly fun witches will have kids more amused than frightened.

A tale familiar to 1,000s of New Hampshire school children told and illustrated by locals Eric Pinder & T.B.R. Walsh.

Stray cat Nin drifts from house to house until he meets a meteorologist named Mark. Then Nin begins his greatest journey yet—to the top of Mount Washington. Follow Nin to a land where the wind howls, snow swirls and wild bears roam. At the Mount Washington Observatory, Nin learns that the best friends—and a wonderful home—can be found anywhere, even high above the clouds.

"Original, beautifully illustrated, and . . . extraordinarily memorable from start to finish . . ." —Midwest Book Review

The Sherman family doesn't have very much, but they take good care of one another and are generous to others, making gingerbread cookies as holiday gifts and carefully decorating them to look like friends and neighbors. Then, one Christmas Eve, after the family returns home from delivering their gifts and everyone falls fast asleep, something magical stirs, born in a star of snow, that will change their holiday—and their lives—forever. Inspired by a real rural tradition from the foothills of the Green Mountains, Enchanted Night Before Christmas is a timeless fantasy that reminds us the most powerful gifts are the ones we give away. (Includes a scrumptious gingerbread spice cookie recipe from King Arthur Baking Company.)

Did you know that camels were imported to Texas to serve the U.S. Army in the 1850s? They carried supplies and mail to isolated forts and settlers. Young readers will be fascinated to learn of this little-known part of American history.

Andouille, the lovable Cajun dachshund, is back and this time he has a new friend who he adores: a kitten named Beignet.

While Andouille loves his new friend, he doesn't love his old hotdog costume. In fact he thinks it is pas bon and wants something new. So Adaleigh, Mamere and Andouille make a trip to The Bon Temps Boutique to find his new costume. There they meet dogs and cats in all sorts of outfits from princesses to pirates.

What will Andouille be? Read and find out. 

Clap your hands and tap your toe! This vibrant story by beloved New Orleans children’s author and illustrator Shannon Kelley Atwater captures the imagination while celebrating the Cajun tradition of the fais do-do dance party. Do a little two-step just in time for bed!

Shannon Kelley Atwater was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and came to New Orleans to attend Loyola University, where she received a degree in visual arts. After selling her art on the fences of Jackson Square and opening a gallery space in the French Quarter, she now stays busy raising her three spirited children and taking on various commissioned projects. She is the author and illustrator of Alligators Don’t Like Flowers, Five Little Termites, and Goodnight Pothole and the illustrator of Rainbow Rodney, all published by Pelican.

Allons, let’s go, down to the swamp! 

Lost and far from home, the smallest alligator down the bayou must navigate a world full of misunderstandings and surprises. Along the way, he encounters a host of colorful characters—some who fear him, others who offer help, and all who teach him that being different isn't so bad after all. P.S. A tiny cat head silhouette is hidden on every page—happy hunting! 

From the author and illustrator of Scrim on the Run!

Playful, bouncing rhymes and bright, colorful illustrations guide young readers as they eat their way through the peachiest state in the nation. Pecan pie, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, okra, collard greens, BBQ, and every Georgia treat a child can desire fuel imaginations in this region-by-region tour of the Goober State. (Did you know a goober is a peanut?) During their exploration, children encounter history, landmarks, geography, and more. So sit back with a juicy peach and bag of hot boiled peanuts and get to know the greatest state around.

Mardi Gras is the most magical time of year for Petite Float and her papa. This season, Petite is extra excited because, for the first time, she will be joining the other floats in the parade as they roll down the streets of town. Even her dreams haven’t prepared her for the splendor that is Carnival: the happy crowds, the hand-painted throws, the dazzling flambeaux, and the sparkling floats. As day turns to night, Petite experiences all the best memories of a childhood Mardi Gras. She wonders at the beads flying through the sky, marvels at the bass drums of the marching bands, and delights in the twirling dancers and caped riders on horseback. As Petite Float makes her way down the parade route, the magic of Mardi Gras fills the air and stirs the imagination.

       Bright, cheerful art perfectly complements this sweet story and captures the innocent joy of a child’s first Mardi Gras.

When Alycat's daydreaming causes her to miss out on Dessert Day at school, she will need to rely on her imagination to satisfy her sweet tooth! With the help of her best friend Spotty, she discovers that trying new things can lead to fun adventures and tasty inventions. A recipe is included at the end of the story to assist young readers in creating their own dessert.

The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity towards problem solving. The character traits of Alycat and her friends inspire and encourage young readers to find their own special gifts.

An original and entertaining delight from cover to cover, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day is especially recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections. —Midwest Book Review

Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day provides colorful, enticing illustrations to keep the young reader engaged throughout the book! —Independent Book Publishers Association

People are talking ...

The Alycat Series features: Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, Alycat and the Monday Blues, Alycat and the Friendship Friday, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday, Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday, Alycat and the Sleepover Saturday, and Alycat and the Sunday Scaries. The books in this series have won more than 17 awards, including the NYC Big Book Award, the Mom's Choice Awards, and the Next Generation Indie Book Awards; have been featured in Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly; and have appeared in the Oscars celebrity swag bag and the Grammy Awards gift bag. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, featured Bourque and her life-size mascot, Alycat, on her popular YouTube channel Little Red News.

Yo ho-ho-ho! Michael Lewis's sea-faring Santa tale is surely the best buried treasure you'll ever uncover! The Great Pirate Christmas Battle is so funny you'll shiver your timbers with laughter and clap your hands! Unless you have a hook for a hand. Then you probably shouldn't do that.
—Butch Hartman, voice actor for Family Guy, writer for Dexter's Laboratory and The Powerpuff Girls, and creator of The Fairly OddParents

Take to the high seas with this mordantly witty tale of tinsel and terror. Cap'n McNasty and his rapscallions gleefully plunder children's presents—until Santa Claus and his feisty elves swoop in to put an end to their naughty ways!

A pea-brained T-Rex learns what bullies so often discover: that little dinosaurs--or little children--grow up . . . sometimes way up!

A boy from the swamp, content with a simple existence, is encouraged by a mysterious alligator to explore another side of life.

Although the boy is reluctant to trust his strange new friend, a curious fascination compels him to accept the invitation. He ventures beyond the confines of his quiet swamp, learning much about the outside world and even more about himself.

When a rule change threatens the big truffle contest, a pig and a pup must dig deep—because true friendship always finds a way!

Peri (a pig) and Tubs (a dog) are best friends who live at an orchard where magnificent truffles grow. They spend their days sniffing and (very gently!) digging in the rich soil. When Tubs' entry in the annual Truffle Dog Championship is threatened by a last-minute rule change, can the friends overcome the odds and win the day? On their own, they're at a disadvantage, but together nothing can stop these truffle snuffling friends!

Gaston the green-nosed alligator has returned from the swamp and is taking adventurous readers on a tour of Mardi Gras.

From the Jefferson City Buzzards, the oldest marching group in the city, to the Krewes of Rex and Zulu, author and illustrator James Rice captures the magic of the carnival season in a book designed for children of all ages.

In Cajun country, Gaston joins a Courir du Mardi Gras group, enjoys spicy gumbo, and dances in a fais-do-do until dawn. In New Orleans, Gaston rides along with the Krewe of Zulu and delivers painted coconuts to the crowds who are yelling, "Throw me something, Mister!" The festivities continue with Mardi Gras balls where Gaston dances the night away. Every page has Rice's signature artistic style for children to enjoy and learn more about the magic of Mardi Gras!

With more than 1.5 million copies of his books in print, Rice ranks among the nation’s best-selling creators of children’s books, receiving awards from Printer Industries of America and the Children’s Book Council, among others.

Santa’s running late! Luckily, a scruffy white pup knows New Orleans by heart, and he’s ready to save Christmas.

This miniature book of Scrim on the Run: Christmas Fun! to hang on your tree tells the true story of a scraggly little white terrier named Scrim that captured the hearts of New Orleanians when he was on the run in the city for many months; he even jumped out of a second story window after he was apprehended! A portion of all book sales will be donated by the author to local animal rescues and animal welfare organizations.

Though everybody else has settled down for a long winter's nap, poor Principal Swell has his hands full.

Do you know why nutrias have orange teeth? Neither does Boudreaux the nutria.

Join this confident critter as he discovers why the thing that makes him different is also what makes him great!

When snow-loving Kyle gets a plane ticket to see his Grandma in the desert, he’s not so sure what to expect. But after a rip-roaring road trip around Arizona—through Tucson, Bisbee, Winslow, across dams and lakes and the grandest of canyons—Kyle may just have become a convert to the warm air and dark skies. After all, when you’re with Grandma Rose, everything’s an adventure!

Evie is a Cajun girl who dreams of having her very own pair of white shrimp boots. She learns of all the quirky and hilarious regional nicknames they are called in different parts of Louisiana. When she gets her own pair of boots for her birthday, she’s faced with having to come up with a name for them! What will she call them? Pelican State Princess Slippers is a colorful, fashion-forward adventure sprinkled with Cajun French sayings and Louisiana places. 

Born and raised in Louisiana, author and illustrator Kristie Guillory Edmondson is a speech diagnostician. She has a degree in visual art from McNeese State University and a master's from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. A speech pathologist by trade, she has worked with children in the school system for nineteen years and resides in Louisiana with her husband and two children.

This abbreviated board book edition is the perfect introduction to this classic tale!

Gaston the green-nosed alligator has returned from the swamp and is taking adventurous readers on a tour of Mardi Gras.

Deep in the bayou where critters reside lived a lovable little crawfish they all knew as Clyde. The big crawfish said he would always be too small to play, but Clyde had an idea of how his giant cousin up in Maine could help! Young readers will enjoy the trick while also learning the importance of inclusion.

Embark on a magical journey through Florida’s diverse landscapes.

Join our young protagonist aboard the Panhandle Pullman for an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking sights and exciting discoveries. From the emerald waters of St. George Island to the historic streets of St. Augustine, each stop offers new wonders to explore. Taste the Tupelo honey, and marvel at the wildlife of the Florida Keys. Encounter manatees and sea turtles, alligators, crocodiles. Blast off at a NASA rocket launch! All Aboard, Florida! celebrates the beauty, history, and wonders of Florida in a captivating tale for children of all ages. Climb aboard and get ready for a journey of a lifetime.

Within these colorful pages, it’s Carnival time all year long!

A young storyteller relives the memories from her most recent Mardi Gras, describing ladders on the neutral ground and the perennial favorite of a fried chicken meal on the parade route. From a streetcar ride on Twelfth Night, she rolls on through Fat Tuesday and meets Mardi Gras Indians and revels in king cake and the music of a marching band, capturing all the highlights of a local’s Mardi Gras season. Who can forget spray string and stink bombs, the cotton candy cart, masking in the streets, and flambeaux lighting the way for night parades? As she Mardi Gras mambos and dances in the streets, she calls out for friends and relatives riding on floats to throw her something a little extra special.

This homage in verse captures a true local’s version of a family-friendly Mardi Gras and celebrates a city’s joy in its traditions. Children will find similarities between their own Carnival experiences and reflect on their own family’s customs. For those new to the festivities, the images—saturated with all things purple, green, and gold—will introduce visitors and newcomers alike to the real Mardi Gras. The celebration is so much more than a party and parades. It’s a holiday steeped in the culture of New Orleans and the joie de vivre of families and friends who come together during a special time of year to share in the revelry.

In Louisiana’s Cajun Country, a celebration like no other occurs each Mardi Gras. The families of Acadiana come together on Fat Tuesday to host a centuries-old tradition: the Courir de Mardi Gras. During the running of the Mardi Gras, brightly costumed participants run, beg, sing, and dance for their neighbors as they gather tasty ingredients for the gumbo that will be shared at a dance party under a shining Mardi Gras moon. 

But once upon a time, many years ago, the moon vanished, nearly putting an end to the fais-do-do! A fiendish duo hooked the festive moon and towed it away, depriving the revelers of their purple, green, and gold moonbeams.

So young Leloup set off on a quest to recover the shining sentry. A sprinkling of familiar bayou characters and critters are scattered throughout this fairytale. Through teamwork, and some silly shenanigans, they help our hero as he returns the moon to its proper place in the Cajun sky, just in time to enjoy a celebratory gumbo and dance to some zydeco tunes. He might have even found some Mardi Gras treasure along the way!

Leloup’s story is full of fun references to the Acadian culture and is complete with a glossary of Cajun words, phrases, and places.

Stumpy and his brothers Bumpy and Lumpy are born deep in the marsh in this bayou retelling of “The Three Little Pigs.” However, this threesome’s fearsome foe is not a wolf with large lung capacity but the big bad winds from the Gulf of Mexico. Stumpy knows that his brother’s sawgrass nest won’t withstand a stiff breeze, much less the storm approaching from the south. As a hurricane rushes in and makes fast work of their first home, Stumpy can’t help but open his big mouth and tease his older brothers. “I told you so!” he shouts as the wind rips and roils around them, tearing them from one nest after another. The storm taunts them with clever rhyme, throws them out of home after home, surges, and purges. But it also teaches them about respecting the forces of nature. Stumpy, Bumpy, and Lumpy learn to stay inside and throw themselves a little hurricane party in true Gulf States fashion.

           With sassy Southern humor and silly illustrated fun, Stumpy and his brothers weather the storm. Now if only Stumpy could learn to keep his big mouth closed when the waters rise and the winds come howling.

Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year for students. Imaginations—and children—run amok, fueled by thoughts of pumpkins, trick-or-treat plans, and sugar highs. But at school, their teachers dread the yearly shenanigans, and this year, the students have started celebrating a day early. With princesses running a tiara trade ring in the girls’ bathroom and a laser sword battle among fourth-grade space rangers, the kids are quickly taking control of the school!

           When a group of fifth-grade monsters tie up two first-graders and prepare to eat them, the teachers are ready to call it quits! It’s up to the students and their parents to show the teachers a new kind of Halloween and give them a holiday treat they’ll never forget.

It’s the town’s big celebration and Little Laveau is lost in the woods! Luckily, her musical new friend has just the magical cure she needs. Join Little Laveau in her second adventure as she journeys around the Louisiana Bayou, providing a little encouragement for friends and animals wherever she goes. Watercolor illustrations that capture the mystery of the bayou accompany this tale perfect for beginning readers―whether they live in Louisiana or not!

Barnacle Brown is a seafaring hound, but even he is surprised by the dangerous storm that sinks his boat and leaves him stranded in the ocean, far from home. Thank goodness he wore his life jacket! But there is no way that even a hound as brave as Barnacle Brown can swim through the ocean’s waves and back to shore all by himself. Just when the pup fears all is lost, a friendly loggerhead turtle arrives to bring him safely back to the beach. One good turn deserves another so he promises to help Loggerhead Lou, his new friend, protect her vulnerable hatchlings on their own journeys to the sea. This sweet tale of helping those in need contains a fact sheet about loggerhead turtles and includes ways young readers can play a part in protecting this endangered species.

She may be spineless, but this invertebrate has a lot of backbone!

Playful limericks about friendly animal characters in Nantucket, with colorful cut-paper illustrations.

From athlete to bricklayer, chef, diver, zydeco musician, and more, careers in Louisiana are varied and interesting.

Young readers will learn about the paths they might take when choosing a career in the Bayou State. A "What Would It Take to Become…” page gives young entrepreneurs practical tips for landing their dream job. 

When a determined pelican named Jean-Jacques is handed a very important delivery—one baby rhinoceros—he must rely on creativity, courage, and a few unlikely friends to find his way. This heartwarming adventure celebrates perseverance, problem-solving, and the joy of helping others. With lyrical text and charming hand-drawn illustrations, Are You a Rhinoceros? is a perfect read-aloud for classrooms and cozy laps alike.

Join the Coastal Cannonball in this exciting new All Aboard adventure. 

From the recording legacy of Muscle Shoals to suiting up for your own space mission, All Aboard, Alabama! showcases the rich history and diverse experiences young travelers can enjoy in Alabama. Try on an Egyptian mask, taste your first Moon Pie, and follow in the footsteps of heroes. Climb aboard and take a lap around the track!

Michael the Wildlife Detective is back with a third adventure for young readers.

First, there are small bones all over the mansion's patio. Then, strange screeching noises at night. And now, glowing eyes? There has to be an explanation. Michael follows the clues, closes the case, and gets the job done!

Gary the alligator and his little sister Mary had always been two peas in a pod, especially in the kitchen! However, growing up and growing apart leads to tough disagreements about what to make for dinner. Can the two young gators learn to work together in time for the annual Crawfish Cookoff?

“…radiates warmth and merriment… an enjoyable addition to a library’s holiday collection.” —School Library Journal

PARENTS’ PICKS AWARD WINNER

It's Christmas Eve, and Alycat's baking her favorite cookie recipe to share. Her best kitten friends are all coming over to swap cookies and recipes, play Pin the Tail on the Reindeer, and sing Christmas carols. But after Santa leaves them each a special surprise, how will the kittens work together to solve the sweet mystery from Mrs. Claus?

Join Pinky the penguin as she teaches children about manners in this charming and educational story.

Pinky the penguin is very polite. She always tries to do what’s right. Today she will show us manners the Louisiana way, from sharing beignets at breakfast to tipping street musicians, greeting the streetcar driver, being a good sport at the football game, and more.

Second edition!

Hercules faces his biggest challenge yet—the Louisiana swamps!

Including battles with a twelve-clawed crawfish and the taming of a raging hurricane, this Cajun reimagining of the Hercules legend stirs together myth, culture, and Louisiana spice. Sent down to the hot and humid bayou from his kingdom in the clouds, Hercules must perform four daring labors to escape the immortal queen’s wrath. Luckily, Hercules has godlike strength, bravery, and his new bayou family to help him conquer every incredible feat! This pourquois tale is told in the style of a gentle Cajun storyteller and features vibrant and whimsical illustrations. Written by an award-winning children’s educator, this adventure will have you shouting “Aiyee!” from start to finish.