Gaston® the green-nosed alligator, the mischievous hero of Pelican’s famous Cajun Night Before Christmas®, leads young readers through the alphabet as he attempts to gain entrance to college. In the process, he gives them a clever and practical lesson in Cajun French.
Using a combination of poetry and delightful art, author and illustrator James Rice follows Gaston’s educational experience from “A is amour, an expression of love, your heart flutter flutters like the wings of a dove” through “Z is zapote, a hard wooden shoe, stuff it with moss to make it fit true,” giving readers—children and adults alike—basic yet comprehensive lessons in Cajun culture.
About the Author/Illustrator
James Rice (1934-2004), in his long, distinguished career as an author and illustrator, produced more than sixty children’s books, among them several additions to The Night Before Christmas Series. Cajun Night Before Christmas®, Rice’s first book, has been nationally recognized as a classic in its genre. Rice taught art and music at both high school and college levels and loved teaching children the joys of writing and illustrating. With more than 2.5 million copies of his books in print, Rice ranks among the nation’s best-selling creators of children’s books, having received awards from Printer Industries of America and the Children’s Book Council.
CAJUN ALPHABET
Written and illustrated by James Rice
JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Alphabet
64 pp. 8 1/2 x 11
31 color illus.
Full color ed.
Gaston® Series
ISBN: 9780882898223