Dinosaurs & Imagination

As she braves her first day of school in the swamp, Roux discovers that what makes us different is also what makes us shine.

Roux has never felt so nervous. She's about to begin “kinder-swamp-garten” and she will be the only rougarou in her class. As she walks to school beneath the towering cypress trees, one by one, fellow swamp creatures join in, each one different from the next. With their help, Roux’s jitters melt into joy, and she discovers that what makes us different is also what makes us shine. Rooted in Louisiana’s rich folklore, this gentle, playful story introduces the legendary rougarou in a family-friendly way. Perfect for any little one getting ready for their own big first day, Roux’s tale is a celebration of belonging, courage, and the magic of being yourself.

Near Big Mamou in Southwest Louisiana, Mamère Cochon must send her three little pigs, ’Ti Joe, ’Ti Claude, and ’Ti Frère, out into the great big world to seek their

fortunes. As they prepare to go their separate ways, the brothers agree to watch out for the loup-garou, who’s been planning a cochon du lait for as long as they can remember.

How would the brothers make out on their own? Well, as ’Ti Joe always says, “Vouloir c’est pouvoir” (where there’s a will, there’s a way). But will they be able to avoid the hungry loup-garou? Well, if any three pigs ever had le savoir-faire (the know-how) to outwit the wily wolf, their names would have to be ’Ti Joe, ’Ti Claude, and ’Ti Frère, I garontee!

As a little lagniappe (something extra), the author has included ’Ti Joe’s special recipe for Grillades and Grits, the classic breakfast dish. Bon appétit!

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!

This fun Texas romp through the Mother Goose tales yields such results as Mary Had a White-Faced Calf, There Was an Old Cowgirl Who Lived in a Boot, Cactus Jack Horner, and many more. Western illustrations enhance the Texas theme and add a sense of humor to this beloved classic.

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

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!

This series of trickster tales, stemming from African folklore, bears remarkable resemblance to the Deep South's Brer Rabbit. That's because Compere Lapin is his kissing cousin. In one form or another Lapin and Compere Bouki have been harassing each other for more than two centuries. Doucet's retelling of these popular stories is flavored with all the spice of a Cajun gumbo.

Compere Lapin came into the world with nothing but a cypress splinter, and he never misses an opportunity to talk himself out of work. The only thing he does better is playing tricks on the large, dim-witted Bouki. Whether he becomes a parrain three times in one day, trading crops for roots and leaves or begging to be thrown into a fire, Lapin always has something up his sleeve, and Bouki is just gullible enough to believe it.

Dinosaurs stomp through the pages!

Do you think that you may be a dinosaur? If your claws puncture kickballs, you use a whole tree to brush your teeth, and your tail spikes always rip through your pants, it’s possible that you may just be a dinosaur. Apatosaurus chomps and Velociraptor romps in this hilarious, informative rhyming picture book. Bright illustrations show children the tail-thumping chaos a Spinosaurus could cause trying to find dinner in a refrigerator and why a T. rex should never, ever try to take the school bus. Featuring information on dinosaurs’ sizes, diets, health, and social lives, You May Just Be a Dinosaur is a prehistoric parade of the funniest, punniest, chummiest dinos you’ll ever see in the schoolyard.

The classic children’s folktale of the Gingerbread Boy gets a spicy Cajun twist—and comes with a delicious recipe for cornbread.

Down on the bayou in the heart of Cajun country lives a little old woman who is very lonely. One day, she decides to make a cornbread boy. Taking down her grandmère’s magical black iron skillet, she adds all the right ingredients, careful not to forget a big dash of cayenne pepper.

When the cornbread boy pops out of the oven, he blinks his chili-pepper eyes, sprouts arms and legs, and sprints out the door before the old woman can catch him. Through the swamp and past the creatures curiously sniffing after him, the cornbread boy runs until he meets an artful alligator who is in for one spicy surprise.

In this flavorful retelling of the classic Gingerbread Boy tale, international storyteller extraordinaire Dianne de Las Casas presents a delightful romp through Cajun country that will have readers of all ages hungry for more.

Praise for The Cajun Cornbread Boy

“An old tale sprouts legs and takes off, enlivened by a dash of Cajun flavor. Catch it if you can!” —Aaron Sheard, The Author of Lightning Larry

“Dianne de Las Casas mixes humor, high spirits, lively narration and a colorful setting to bring alive the timeless tale of the Gingerbread Boy.” —Robert D. San Souci, author of The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South and Little Pierre: A Cajun Story from Louisiana

A Louisiana twist on the classic Gingerbread Man story!

On a whim, an old Cajun couple named Marcelle and Dumas use their famous boudin recipe to make a boy. After they batter up the mixture and fry it up like a boudin ball, the boy magically comes to life and is taught all about swamp life. Follow Boudin Boy on his wild adventures throughout Louisiana and beyond in this Cajun spin on the Gingerbread Man.

Recommended by Autism Speaks.

Oliver is upset—very upset—and nothing his mother says makes him feel better. When she tries to give him a comforting hug, he rolls up into a tight ball like an armadillo and won’t let his mother near. She tries to coax him out of his huddle but then his claws come out. Oliver pretends to be one ferocious animal after another—none of them very good at giving hugs. But it is hard work saying no to a mother’s love. Through creativity, patience, and affection (as well as a healthy dose of humor), Oliver’s mother finds a way to get through his imaginative defenses and give him the best hug ever.

Author Kena Sosa captures the delicate dance between mother and child in this fun story about love and the power of hugs. The charming and humorous illustrations of Alexis Braud bring to life the imagination of a child and touchingly depict how hugs can soothe even the most savage beast.

Out of a bitter storm comes a gift that saves a village.

In this adaptation of an Italian folktale, the young fisherman Gianni braves the thawing, ice-bound lagoon of Burano to catch fish to feed the starving people of his island. His fiancée, Nicoletta, prays for his safety. Gianni, swept from his fishing boat, is rescued by a mermaid who whips the water into a length of elegant lace, which she gives to Gianni for Nicoletta’s wedding veil. This gorgeously illustrated tale recounts the mythical origins of Burano lace, whose production has long been a vital part of the island’s economy and vibrant culture, ensuring the islanders would never go hungry. The lace is still famed throughout the world for its scalloped, wave-like patterns.

There is a perfect read for every person if only you search for it!

Gabe and Ellie love soccer, animals, games, and especially gum, but they hate to read! Upon telling Ms. Molly, the mysterious librarian, that “reading is boring,” Ellie falls into a deep read! Gabe tries everything to break the curse, but only a read of true love can free Ellie. Determined to have his friend back, Gabe traverses the mountain of books surrounding Ellie to find the perfect book for him. Can he read a book cover to cover and truly love it?

A masterful twist on an enchanting fairytale, this story shows children that there’s a book for everyone! The magical library illustrations and hidden Pelican books propel readers and non-readers on an unforgettable adventure sure to help them find their very own “perfect read”.

Whales and walruses! That’s not a pirate’s hat!

One day Paulina, engrossed in a book about the many types of hats, accidentally wanders onto a pirate ship only to sit on the captain’s headdress. When the captain comes up to get his now squashed topper, Paulina, newly knowledgeable about hats, sees that his headgear isn’t the right fit for a pirate ship’s captain! She leads the crew on a madcap chase around the globe from Borka Borka Island to Polly Golly Canyon to find suitable parts for a faultless topper. Fish bones and flippers! Will they ever find the right pirate chapeau for the captain?

This uplifting, silly story is satisfying for any child from the swashbuckling to the scholarly and perfect for any parent who wants a phenomenal tale on the power of knowledge to be found in books.  

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.

Hannah Bear and LuLu are off on another adventure!

The air is crisp in the Honey Hollow Woods, and the sister cubs are busy getting ready for their big winter party. Excitement is everywhere—but not for everyone. Magnolia, the newest resident of the woods, is feeling homesick and missing her favorite part of the season: sneaux! Determined to make their new friend feel welcome, Hannah and LuLu spring into action with a heartwarming plan—and one magical ingredient that could make all the difference. Will they solve the conundrum and bring a little southern sneaux magic to the celebration?

This cozy picture book is a joyful tale of friendship, creativity, and the magic of the season—with a sweet surprise ending that’s sure to warm hearts of all ages.

Be sure to check out the award-winning Hannah Bear and LuLu’s Festival to Remember—the first book in this charming series!

When a scary situation causes a dinosaur-sized transformation, how will he adapt?

When Gregory wakes up in the body of a dinosaur on the morning of his class presentation, he’s worried. He is scheduled to talk about the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs and he has practiced all week so he won’t be scared in front of the class but he didn’t plan for this! As soon as Gregory gets out of bed, everything starts to go wrong. He spills the orange juice, forgets his diorama, and can only speak in roar. What is he going to do when his favorite teacher, Mrs. Anning, calls on him to present his project?

In this loose adaptation of the literary classic by Franz Kafka author Paul Many encourages children not to give up when things get scary. Stan Jaskiel’s humorous illustrations show Gregory adapting to his startling new reality and, once he has, everything changes!

Archie Dare is not a troublemaker, no matter what the filing folder in the principal’s office says. But it’s hard to shake a peculiar reputation when living with an eccentric, bookworm grandfather whose favorite obsession is Jean Lafitte, a famous New Orleans pirate.

After attending a fancy Mardi Gras party at his one-and-only friend Lou’s mansion, a break-in occurs at Archie’s house, and Papa is taken. Archie receives little support from police officers and decides to investigate on his own. He is joined by Lou and his precocious, quick-witted neighbor Drea. The three discover the first of several clues Papa seemingly left behind. As Archie pieces together the first clues—a library call number that leads to a rhyme in a book about Jean Lafitte’s lost treasure—he realizes the reason his grandfather was taken: he knows the location of Jean Lafitte’s lost treasure.

This beloved fairy tale comes with a bigger glass slipper!

This punny twist on the beloved fairytale will delight readers of all ages. Children will enjoy finding similarities between Cinderella and her pachyderm equivalent as she searches for love at the ball of the zebra prince, heir to the throne. With a plethora of funny fur and hooves from across the animal kingdom, including an adorable fairy god-mouse, the lighthearted illustrations serve to highlight the imagination of this fractured fairytale.

The greedy spider gets what’s coming!

Long ago, all spiders were as round as the sun—and Anansi was the roundest of all. Anansi was very clever, but he was also very lazy, and he loved to eat. One day, hungry Anansi travels from village to village to eat with them. Each village asks Anansi to help make the food, but he would rather be lazy. Anansi leaves one end of a silken string from his web with each village, ties the other end around his waist, and asks the villagers to tug the string when the food is ready. He goes to another village, and another, and another . . . What will happen when all the food is done? This lively retelling of the Ghanaian folktale will delight all readers from ages 1 to 110.

This book takes young readers on a sweet journey of baking and decorating a cake with Amy and her pup, Charlee.

Readers will be encouraged to use their imagination while learning about the basics of baking, handwashing, kitchen safety, and the joys of sharing in a fun way. A buttercream icing recipe is included for little chefs to create their own delicious treats.

Nana loves to make Kole magical green dinosaur pancakes for breakfast. In Green Dinosaur Pancakes Kole discovered Nana’s pancakes come to life and the strongest survive their morning spats! In this sequel, the green T-Rex just won’t leave Kole alone. When Kole encounters a school bully, the prehistoric pancake helps him out of a sticky situation. In this anti-bullying tale, Kole and the green reptile stand up to the bully and learn that a little kindness can go a long way and that friends can come from the most unexpected places. Author Kat Pigott offers a timely lesson and talented teenage artist Mason Sibley provides appealing characters in this entertaining story.

In Dinos Down South ABC, twenty-six dinosaurs rhyme their way through the letters of the alphabet and the landmarks of the South. Join the Ankylosaurus on a jaunt to the Atchafalaya Basin or watch the Zuniceratops hang with some zebras at the Audubon Zoo and discover why dinosaurs make the best local tour guides!