“In Louisiana bayou country, Clovis Crawfish is a favorite folk hero of children who have met him in Fontenot’s lively tales . . . . The story has suspense, lessons in nature lore, in French, and plenty of fun!”
—Publishers Weekly
As the group of bayou animals hurry to see the baby blue jay who has fallen from his nest during a storm, everyone wonders what to do next in Clovis Crawfish and the Orphan Zo-Zo.
Some of them, like Christophe Cricket and Gaston Grasshopper, feel that the bird should be left alone as it could later pose a threat to them. But Clovis Crawfish feels the situation is similar to that in the mythic tale of Androcles the lion: when the “poor thing” grows up, it might eat them—yet Clovis feels that the orphaned bird needs their help badly and that they cannot let it die. Clovis states his case well, and soon all the bayou friends are working together to feed and take care of Zo-Zo. But when Zo-Zo dramatically shows everyone that he is ready to fend for himself, Clovis takes the necessary steps to send him on his way.
Author Mary Alice Fontenot opens her young readers to the miraculous world of nature, acquaints them with some common French phrases which punctuate the various characters’ speech, and teaches a worthwhile lesson.
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
Illustrator Eric Vincent’s vibrantly colorful, closely detailed drawings appear almost three-dimensional and enhance the delightful text, portraying vividly the natural world along the bayou.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER
ALSO AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH
CLOVIS ECREVISSE et L’OISEAU ORPHELIN
By Mary Alice Fontenot
Translated by Julie Fontenot Landry
Illustrated by Eric Vincent
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
32 pp. 8 1/2 x 11
Color and b/w illustration
Pronunciation guide Songs and music with French and English lyrics
ISBN: 9781565542198