Juvenile Fiction

Throw me out there, mister!

When Carnival rolls around in New Orleans, everyone gets into the celebration—including the beads! On Fat Tuesday, a plain string of little purple beads hangs from a hook on a parade float. His fervent wish is to be caught by someone special. The bigger and fancier beads tell him that no one will ever catch him. But a little hope and determination may go a long way in the magical season of Mardi Gras! When the bead spots a little princess in the crowd, he knows she is the person for him! Will she try to catch him? The heartwarming tale offers opportunities for a discussion of bullying, self-worth, and inclusion with young readers. The delightful story and illustrations from this daughter/father team will charm the entire family and become a parade route favorite!

 

Raised in New Orleans, Julie P. Rowley holds a master’s of education in early childhood curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans. Her stories were inspired by her daughter’s imagination.

A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, John R. Paquette is a retired editor. He is also a professional vocalist and a talented portrait artist and illustrator. He enjoyed collaborating with his daughter.

Arggh, there be pirates in the third adventure of Little Laveau! Join Little Laveau and her pet alligator, Squeeker, as they travel the seas and meet a little pirate with a big attitude. With a taste for the adventure of knowledge, Little Laveau captures some facts on historical characters along with some very important lessons on behavior! Watercolor illustrations full of excitement accompany the tale perfect for emerging readers—whether they live along the Gulf Coast or not!

From the dynamic duo behind The Lake I Love and I Met a Moose in Maine One Day comes a moving and unforgettable tail of mindfulness, friendship, and discovering the magic of letting yourself just be.

Leo the lizard spends his days relaxing in the desert sand, gazing at the sky, and basking in the sun. The other desert animals think Leo is lazy, but the roadrunner isn't so sure . . . could it be that Leo has learned something the others have not? Perhaps there is more to this lazy-looking lizard than truly meets the eye?

With its playfully melodic rhymes and stunning desert illustrations, Leo the Lazy Lizard invites readers of all ages to discover the beauty of quiet moments - to smell every scent, feel every breeze, and love how they feel 'cause they feel so at ease! A true celebration of mindfulness, connection, and learning to appreciate the things that make us all so wonderfully unique, Leo the Lazy Lizard will delight families for generations to come!

The Sea Lion's Friend is the tale of an unlikely friendship between a sea lion and a sea gull--two inseparable buddies who do all kinds of fun things together. Readers will be touched by this tale of best friendship. As with all Shankman & O'Neill books, the bouncing, Seussian rhymes and colorful illustrations make this a story to read again and again!

Johnette Downing stays true to her Louisiana roots in her newest book, featuring a young pelican searching for his proper home. As Petit Pierre journeys across the wetlands, he asks each creature where he should live. He accumulates gifts from them until he realizes the wetlands are home to all his friends and, just maybe, to Pierre as well!

  

Within the luscious illustrations are facts about the denizens of the wetlands and how each reader can make a difference in preserving and protecting the wetlands for generations to come. Proceeds from this book, created in partnership with the Audubon Nature Institute and the New Orleans Pelicans, fund wetland education programs.

Author Ed Shankman and illustrator Dave O'Neill turn their attention to Vermont and one of that state's great legends: Champ, the Monster of Lake Champlain. Champ is seen through the eyes of a likable tomboy, who sets out from her favorite spot by a maple tree and finds herself by the lakeshore. She meets Champ, who turns out to be a very kid-friendly monster--inviting the girl to sit on his head and ride with him through the Vermont countryside. Together, these unlikely friends dash past farms and mills and over covered bridges, meet some cows, eat some maple syrup-covered cheese, and eventually return to the girl's favorite maple tree. The charming story ends as it began: If you come to Vermont / Near a lake called Champlain, / And you cut through the woods / On an old country lane, There's a chance you will see / My friend Champ and me / Playing happy and free / By the old maple tree.

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

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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.

Angelo the alligator was different in every way. With eyes bright blue and skin snow white, he loved to watch the butterflies and fireflies. One day he came upon a marsh filled with flowers and wove some into a crown. What happens when he wears his beautiful new crown? Artist and illustrator Shannon Kelley Atwater shares a sweet story of friendship and community celebrating the differences that make individuals special and overcoming the stereotypes that separate them. Her expressive illustrations capture the feelings of friendship, joy, and—sometimes—alienation that children experience in a story that provides a valuable lesson of acceptance. When the swamp friends unite in a procession that rejoices in the things that make them unique, something truly magical occurs. Come along and join their parade!

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.

The team who brought grins to young readers with The Boston Balloonies and I Met a Moose in Maine have created a third charmer about a family of codfish and their friends. According to Shankman's rhyming narrative: The Cods of Cape Cod / Love their summer vacation, / And though they could go / Anywhere in the nation, / They keep coming back / To their favorite location, / 'Cause they know that Cape Cod's / A vacation sensation! The Cods of Cape Cod / Have a house on the beach, / And it's just the right size, / With a fish tank for each. . . . To this colorful fish-friendly house come the Cods' many fishy friends, shrimp comes from Sandwich, bass from Mashpee, swordfish from Chatham, and so on. And boy, do they know how to have fun!

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.

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!

Alycat wakes up on Monday with the dreaded Monday Blues, certain that nothing will go right. But when a mishap sends her astray, she discovers that helping a friend will lead her to discover her own hidden talent and cure her Monday Blues! Find the original song, Monday Blues, on iTunes, YouTube, and Apple Music!  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.  “[A] charmingly illustrated [and] deftly written picture book for children ages 4 to 7, Alycat and the Monday Blues will prove to be a unique and extraordinarily entertaining addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.” —Midwest Book Review  Alycat and the Monday Blues has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services by the Mom’s Choice Awards.

Alycat’s teacher has something special planned for Friday: a field trip! But when a new student joins the class, someone feels left out. Can Alycat use her creativity and imagination to help everyone feel included?  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.  “A thoroughly charming and entertaining read for children that also holds an important social lesson about inclusion, Alycat and the Friendship Friday is very highly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.” —Midwest Book Review  Alycat and the Friendship Friday has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services by the Mom’s Choice Awards.

Join Sarah, the tiniest star, on a heartwarming journey of self-belief and courage.

Sarah is the tiniest star in the sky, wishing every night that someone will make a wish upon her so she can earn her light. But wishers always choose the big stars, leaving Sarah to wonder if she’ll ever have her chance. Then, one night, a little boy with a special wish finds Sarah. When he believes in her, she finally finds the courage to believe in herself—and grant his wish. Join Sarah on a heartwarming journey to discover that even the smallest stars can shine the brightest.

Join Beignet Bunny on a whimsical adventure through New Orleans as he searches for friends, convinced he's a sugar-covered treat, and encounters a colorful cast of characters along the way.

When Momma Bunny calls her new baby “my little beignet,” he becomes convinced he’s actually a sugar-covered treat, beloved in New Orleans. Beignet Bunny embarks on an adventure, asking a pelican, crawfish, turtle, and even a sleeping possum where all the other beignets play. Will he be able to find a friend? Young readers will enjoy hopping along with the sweetest bunny as he searches for others like him.

Surrounded by the waters of the Mississippi, the blooming magnolias, and the buzzing mosquitoes, a solitary raccoon made his home in a cypress trunk.

As yet another Christmas approached with no friends to share the holiday season, Roux vowed to make a change. He built a tall bonfire, in the Cajun tradition, in hopes that Papa Noel would see the warm light of the flames on his Christmas Eve flight. 

Roux tucked himself into bed that cold, lonely night with not an inkling that Santa would indeed stop by his swampy abode. The jolly man in red brought gifts for the raccoon who had been nice all year, but gifts, he knew, were not what would bring little Roux cheer. As Santa set off to continue his Christmas Eve rounds, he scoured the bayous and towns for what would make Roux’s holiday complete. Can Santa find the perfect present to save Roux’s Christmas? 

This heartwarming story about the power of hope and the magic of friendship is sure to brighten your holiday reading. Children will enjoy this story of an unlikely friendship set in the southern swamps that references customs and traditions familiar to the littlest Cajuns. A recipe for Roux’s Bayou Stew completes this special tale.

The challenges of overcoming our differences and the joys of new friendships are captured in the whimsical illustrations of the world-renowned float designer Blaine Kern (1927-2020). The debut story written by his wife, Holly, uses songlike verses to take beginning readers on a dreamlike tour under the sea. There, wanderers meet a tree that is totally out of its element. Rooted to the sea floor yet surrounded by the wonders of the ocean, the tree realizes how lonely life is without friends. It is so hard to make friends when we are different! When the tree’s new companions are threatened, it uses their differences to save the day. In typical Mr. Mardi Gras® fashion, the story ends with the aquatic playmates coming together in a parade celebrating their friendship.

Meet Little Laveau as she journeys around the Louisiana bayou helping friends and animals wherever she adventures. In the first of The Adventures of Little Laveau, her friend Thomas is having bad dreams and is too scared to sleep. Little Laveau has just the magical cure for his bedtime blues in this delightful and encouraging picture book. Watercolor illustrations that capture the mystery of the bayou accompany this tale perfect for beginning readers—whether they live in Louisiana or not!

Twelve-year-old Gracie Watson is unusually—some might even say morbidly—excited about her upcoming move to Savannah, one of the most haunted cities in the country.

Gracie isn’t one to make friends with the living, but she quickly bonds with a graveyard groundskeeper’s son, who vows to help her on her quest. Together, they set out to find the ghost of another Gracie Watson, who happens to be buried at Bonaventure Cemetery. Like any great adventure, what they find is nothing like what they expected.

“…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?

"Science doesn't freak meowt!"

Alycat is excited that it’s Science Fair Day, but why is her classmate copying almost everything about her, from the shirt she’s wearing to the project she’s doing? Soon Alycat learns, through patience and kindness, that two similar things can be better when they work together. This latest addition to the kitten picture-book series includes STEM themes plus instructions for making your own glitter volcano!

In the swamp, Gary the gator befriends Jerry, a cellphone who has fallen off a swamp boat.

Jerry offers Gary access to many wonders of the world, but Gary misses slowing down and enjoying his bayou life with his friends and family. In this colorful picture book, young readers will discover if Gary and Jerry can strike a good balance between modern technology and the simple life.

Santy's arrival by johnboat is announced by a ruckus between his pet raccoon and Paw's coonhound. After a feast of ham biscuits, Maw and Paw open their musical gifts, and Santy joins in on the frollicatin'.

Alycat wakes up to seafood gumbo for breakfast, and even though her house is the first stop for the school bus, the bus is already full when she boards. Alycat’s whole day is turning topsy-turvy. What is happening? Young readers will tag along on Alycat’s adventures during her very “cattywampus” Wednesday and learn that a little help from some friends and a good attitude can make your day!   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. People are talking . . . “When things aren’t purr-fect, what do you do to add a paws-itive spin to your day? Kids will fall in love with this topsy-turvy story of Alycat’s dreamy day going a bit cattywampus!” —Dion Leonard, New York Times bestselling author  “Change can be scary and difficult to cope with, but Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday helps readers to understand that positive thinking and the right mindset can help make new or uncertain circumstances feel exciting and fun instead. This entertaining and gentle story illustrates important strategies for coping with change, such as reaching out to friends and thinking creatively.” —The Children’s Book Review  The Alycat Series features five titles: Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, Alycat and the Monday Blues, Alycat and the Friendship Friday, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday, and Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday. 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.