For Little Historians & Young Explorers

“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.

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!

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. 

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.

Welcome to New Orleans! Follow parent and child pelicans as they take a tour of the Crescent City together. From the French Quarter to the Garden District, along the Mississippi and across Lake Ponchartrain, join the pelicans as they listen to music at Preservation Hall, celebrate Mardi Gras, and eat jambalaya and gumbo. Visit the Audubon Zoo and City Park, ride a St. Charles Avenue streetcar, and cheer the Saints. Along the way take a swamp tour, visit a plantation, and even ride on a steamboat! These feathered tour guides will remind children and their loved ones of their own great visit to New Orleans.Bestselling author Martha Day Zschock is an artist and former elementary teacher with a passion for helping children explore new places. The Hello! series illustrates how exploring real places yields new discoveries. Through these journeys, kids can explore and become experts on the world they see inside and outside the book, through the engaging, bright, and detailed illustrations. For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Ghostly adventures await! Dive into your favorite, SPINE-TINGLIEST tales from America's Haunted Cemeteries!

Welcome to America's Haunted Cemeteries! In this thrilling anthology, spooky stories and ghostly tales bring the nation's cemeteries to life! Discover wandering spirits, creepy crypts, and misty graveyards filled with secrets! From the infamous witch trial burial sights of Salem to the hauntingly beautiful, above-ground tombs of New Orleans, each tale will take you on a chilling adventure pulled right from history, changing the way you see America's Haunted Cemeteries forever.

Whether you’re a brave ghost hunter or just curious about the supernatural, the GHOSTLIEST TALES anthologies from ACB’s bestselling Spooky America series will give you goosebumps . . . and have you sleeping with the lights on! 

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

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.

In this board book, Huey the pelican is learning his Louisiana colors. Come fly with him and see how colorful our state can be, with blue in the heron, red in the peppers, yellow in the sunshine, and so much more!

Let the GHOUL times roll!

Henry can’t wait for his field trip to the French Quarter, New Orleans’ oldest—and spookiest!—neighborhood. Not only will he and his best friend, Lily, find some cool facts for their local history project, they’ll get to eat delicious beignets while they’re at it. (Yum, y’all.) 

But inside historic Meredith Mansion, they find way more than they bargained for—including paintings that move, a possibly haunted music box, and one VERY grumpy ghost! Along with their friends, Henry and Lily will have to follow the creepy clues, explore mystical signs and symbols, and uncover an old family secret that someone may still be guarding, even from beyond the grave! And if they can’t . . . it could be the last field trip any of them ever take.

Welcome to Florida! Follow parent and child alligators as they explore the wonders of the Sunshine State together. From the panhandle to the Florida keys and from the gulf coast to the Atlantic Ocean, the pair enjoys the sun, the sand, and the surf. They visit amusement parks, water ski, and cheer on nine sports teams! Whether gliding through the Everglades or enjoying fresh oranges, our scaly tour guides will remind children and their parents of their own great visit to Florida.Bestselling author Martha Day Zschock is an artist and former elementary teacher with a passion for helping children explore new places. The Hello! series illustrates how exploring real places yields new discoveries. Through these journeys, kids can explore and become experts on the world they see inside and outside the book, through the engaging, bright, and detailed illustrations. For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Welcome to Philadelphia! Follow parent and child eagles as they tour the City of Brotherly Love. Join the pair as they see Benjamin Franklin, play in Fairmount Park, and even eat a cheesesteak at the market. Along the way they admire murals, visit museums, and cheer on Philadelphia's sports teams. Best of all, they learn about the founding of our country--from the U.S. Constitution, to the American Flag and the Liberty Bell! Our feathered tour guides will remind children and their loved ones of their own great trip to PhiladelphiaBestselling author Martha Day Zschock is an artist and former elementary teacher with a passion for helping children explore new places. The Hello! series illustrates how exploring real places yields new discoveries. Through these journeys, kids can explore and become experts on the world they see inside and outside the book, through the engaging, bright, and detailed illustrations. For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Welcome to Chicago! In this board book from bestselling children's author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock, a parent and child bear explore Chicago, Illinois. Join them on their visit to The Windy City where they take the elevated train around The Loop, ride the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier, cheer for The Cubs at Wrigley Field, eat deep dish pizza, and meet some new friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

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.

Derived from a patriotic Grammy-nominated spoken word album recorded by The Duke in 1973.

Now, in  An American Boy Grows Up, we can join Little Duke on his journey through this great land and learn about true American values of love, freedom, compassion, honesty, family, unity, hope, liberty & justice, honor and peace.

Welcome to the wonderful borough of Brooklyn, New York where a parent and child pigeon act as your guides! In bestselling children's author-illustrator Martha Zschock's board book, young readers will discover neighborhoods from Greenpoint to Brighton Beach, from Bushwick to Borough Park, from Park Slope to Flatbush. Explore Prospect Park, Coney Island, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Eat hot dogs, cheesecake, pizza, and bagels. See famous bridges and travel on subways! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.