Cajun Tall Tales

Children will be captivated by this classic's New Orleans setting and by the vibrant illustrations. As lagniappe (something extra), Cajun-French words and phrases are used throughout the English text. Translations of the French words, along with a pronunciation guide, make this story educational as well as entertaining. As in Cinderella, Cendrillon is pestered by la belle-mère (her stepmother) and les belles-soeurs (her stepsisters) but is helped by the bayou creatures who are ses bon amis (her good friends) and by la marraine (her fairy godmother). However, in New Orleans, the big event is Rex's Mardi Gras ball. Rex, also known as Ovey Thibeaux, hopes to meet his wife at the ball. As fate would have it, Cendrillon and Ovey fall en amour (in love). While the essence of the original story remains, the influence of New Orleans is evident on every page, from historic St. Louis Cathedral to the included recipe for quick and easy red beans and rice.

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