Chef Creole

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Marc Notes: In this variation on the traditional song Aiken Drum, Chef Creole from New Orleans has hair of rice, eyes of red beans, and feet of beignets. Jacket Description/Flap:"New Orleans' award-winning songwriter and author Johnette Downing introduces us to Chef Creole in this delightful children's read (or sing) along. From the red beans for eyes, his okra nose, and a praline mouth, he's the tastiest homage ever to our state's rich food heritage. Kids will love Kadair's bold, collage-style illustrations, and a handy glossary will help them learn about the best of Louisiana fare." -NOLA Baby and FamilyIn this colorful and interactive storybook, award-winning songwriter and author Johnette Downing invites children of all ages to piece together Louisiana's favorite foods to create the tastiest man ever, Chef Creole. To the tune of "Aiken Drum," Chef Creole dances on the page and plays his ladle like a guitar. With arms of boudin and eyes of red beans, he encompasses all of the Pelican State's most famous flavors. Deborah Ousley Kadair's collage illustrations make it easy for children to identify the classic Louisiana fare and sing along. The book also includes a glossary of many of the featured foods and terms, from French bread to okra, and the history of dishes such as red beans and rice. Johnette Downing is an award-winning, internationally recognized singer and songwriter. Her many accolades include eight Parents' Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, and four National Parenting Publication Awards. She wrote and illustrated How to Dress a Po' Boy, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs, My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane, Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud, and Amazon Alphabet and is the author of Down in Louisiana, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin, Why the Oyster Has the Pearl, Today Is Monday in Louisiana, Today Is Monday in Texas, Today Is Monday in New York, and Today Is Monday in Kentucky. Downing lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Deborah Ousley Kadair was trained in the Montessori teaching method and conducts storytelling and illustration workshops for children. Having worked with young children since the 1990s, Kadair understands what children like about picture books and uses her experience to create imaginative, collage-style illustrations. She is the author and illustrator of four books, There Was an Ol' Cajun, Grandma's Gumbo, I Spy in the Louisiana Sky, and I Spy in the Texas Sky, and has illustrated many others, including Today Is Monday in Louisiana, Today Is Monday in New York, Today Is Monday in Texas, Today Is Monday in Kentucky, Down in Louisiana, and There Was a Tall Texan Who Swallowed a Flea, all with Pelican. Kadair resides in Texas with her family. Review Citations:

School Library Journal 03/01/2009 pg. 134 (EAN 9781589806177, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2009 pg. 456 (EAN 9781589806177, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Downing, Johnette Johnette Downing is an award-winning, internationally recognized singer/songwriter. Her many accolades include six Parents' Choice Awards, three iParenting Media Awards, and an Imagination Award, among others. In addition to being the author of Today Is Monday in Louisiana, Today Is Monday in Texas, Chef Creole, and Down in Louisiana, she wrote and illustrated Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud and My Aunt Came Back from Lousiane, all available from Pelican. When she's not traveling the globe sharing her Louisiana heritage with children of all ages she lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Contributor Bio:  Kadair, Deborah Deborah Ousley Kadair was trained in the Montessori teaching method and conducts storytelling and illustration workshops for children. She is a talented illustrator of several books with Pelican, including the Today Is Monday Series, Chef Creole, Down in Louisiana, and Grandma's Gumbo, all by author Johnette Downing. Kadair also has written and illustrated her own collection of books, including I Spy in the Louisiana Sky, I Spy in the Texas Sky, and There Was an Ol' Cajun. Kadair lives in Cedar Park, Texas.