Mardi Gras!

Repetition, alliteration, and visual humor abound in this Mardi Gras themed riff on the iconic holiday song, perfect for emerging readers and early counters. As each day of the Mardi Gras season passes, a gift is given. Each of the many, many, many gifts is familiar to those who embrace the season’s traditions. Coming in twos, twelves, fives and fours, the gifts include majestic masks, floats a rolling, golden shoes, and cherished cups. Colorful illustrations provide lots of additional hijinks and engagement in this soon-to-be-classic holiday tale!

In New Orleans, a little oak tree asks Grand Oak why it is so small in comparison. The Grand Oak replies that the young one is special and one day everyone will see.  As the seasons change and the tree grows, the young tree continues to ask why it isn’t as big, or as full of leaves, or strong and study. With a gentle voice the Grand Oak encourages and guides the small oak to have patience, stay grounded, and have trust in the future. When that future arrives, the Grand Oak celebrates the little trees uniqueness in this inspiring tale that encourages us to nurture the young and guide them towards their own unique nature.

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.

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.

Believed to have originated in twelfth-century France, the king cake tradition is an homage to the wise men (three kings). In New Orleans, as in Europe, a charm or plastic baby is hidden inside the cake and whoever finds the treasure is crowned king or queen for the day. The unofficial regent is also expected to host the next king cake party--or at least provide the cake! So, of course, everyone asks "Who got the baby in the king cake?" Downing's hand-cut colorful collage illustrations accompany her original song in this joyous story designed to entertain and educate kids of all ages. The full song, and many others celebrating her Louisiana home, can be found on her album Swamp Romp: A Louisiana Dance Party for Children.

Follow Folly as he celebrates Mardi Gras in Alabama! Hang on tight; he wants to see every parade in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Folly has a front-row seat as he rides with kings and queens and tags along with Joe Cain. From catching throws with the crowd to joining in with the marching bands, Folly is a part of all the festivities. With bouncing rhyme and lively illustrations, author Karyn Tunks and illustrator Alexis Braud capture the unique flavor of Carnival season along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Highlighting the best of the local revelry, Folly brings young readers along as he explores favorite Mobile-area traditions. A glossary of people, places, and things completes the introduction to the most colorful season of the year. So come along and join the fun as we celebrate Mardi Gras in Alabama in this informative picture book for locals—and those who wish they were!

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

To the staccato of snare drums and the riffs of jazz bands, a Fat Tuesday ruckus ensues. Two bitter rivals take to Jackson Square to battle for control of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. As the hair flies and the claws come out, the pups in the Krewe of Barkus and the felines of the Krewe of Meoux vie for supremacy of the streets. Amidst swishing tails and dangerous footwork, the cool cats and hot dogs battle in a winner-take-all dance-off! The festive animals compete to be top dog or top cat once and for all. In this “catcophony,” who has the right voodoo to claw their way to the top? Will it be the Persians and calicos or the bulldogs and pugs? In this bright, bold, and very hip story of two New Orleans rivals, author and illustrator Lindsay “Bones” Cordero” brings to life the colorful world of the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux.

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.

Mitchell the house mouse is cozy in his shoebox home in Grammy’s closet. What will he do when her granddaughter snatches the box away to make a miniature float for a Carnival contest? Maybe he will pitch in and even get to ride! Young readers will thrill to Mitchell’s adventure involving the long-beloved childhood tradition of crafting a Mardi Gras float from a cardboard shoebox.

Max tells his little brother, Jason, all about what happens in New Orleans on Mardi Gras morning, when the Indians come out in their colorful, feather-and-bead suits. Soon, Jason sees this beautiful custom for himself. The author is the big chief of the Golden Comanches and shares here a fascinating inside look into the rich tradition of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indians.