Fans everywhere will welcome back Mary Alice Fontenot’s charming Clovis Crawfish in this newly translated French edition of the original volume of the celebrated Clovis series.
Friendship is the underlying subject as the beauty and dangers of bayou life are depicted for young readers.
A curious crawfish, Clovis always wants to know why and what things are. He wonders why his bayou is called “Tail of the Frog,” when frogs don’t even have tails. Bertile Butterfly couldn’t care less—she’s interested in only one thing-flowers. And when Clovis finally discovers his he hardly has time to dwell on it.
Gaston Grasshopper’s life is in danger because hungry M’sieu Blue Jay has decided to make a meal of him. When the terrified Gaston takes cover from the swooping bird in Clovis’s mud home, Clovis risks his own life to save his friend. Clovis’s friends come quickly to his aid as he tangles with M’sieu Blue Jay.
French and Acadian-French phrases heard in everyday Cajun conversation are used throughout the book. A pronunciation guide and glossary are included along with a simple French song with an English translation.
Originally published in 1961, Clovis Crawfish and His Friends has been translated by Mary Alice Fontenot’s daughter, Julie Landry.
Continuing the French theme is the series of audiocassettes now available. These six, thirty-minute French audiocassettes present all twelve Clovis books, with two complete stories on each tape.
About the Author
Mary Alice Fontenot is best known as the children’s author of books on Cajun culture. She created the famous wetland characters of Clovis Crawfish and his friends more than thirty years ago. In addition to the Clovis Crawfish Series, Fontenot wrote several other children’s books, including Mardi Gras in the Country and The Star Seed, both published by Pelican. Fontenot worked as a kindergarten teacher and, for thirty-five years, as a newspaperwoman. Her dedication to children and to her art earned her the 1998 Acadiana Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in 2003 at the age of ninety-three.
About the Illustrator
Award-winning illustrator Keith Graves, a freelance artist, holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and is a graduate of the Parsons the New School of Design in New York.
ALSO AVAILABLE ON AUDIOCASSETTE.
CLOVIS ECREVISSE ET SES AMIS
By Mary Alice Fontenot
Translated by Julie Landry
Illustrated by Keith Graves
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
32 pages 8 1/2 x 11
Color and b/w illustrations
Pronunciation Guide Song with music and French and English lyrics
ISBN: 9781565542020