April 2005

JAMES RICE’S LAST BOOK
Santa’s Revenge (9781589802506) is the last book written and illustrated by James Rice. Mr. Rice, who died last June, was widely acclaimed as the South’s leading illustrator of juvenile books, with more than two million books in print--a record that ranks him with top children’s authors and illustrators nationally. His final story was inspired by a dream he had about how Santa Claus sought revenge on him for all the silly ways Mr. Rice portrayed him in Pelican’s Night Before Christmas Series. Pelican would like to commemorate James Rice’s work and life. If you have any thoughts or stories about him, please share them with us by contacting publicist Amy Kirk at akirk@pelicanpub.com.

PELICAN ON THE AIR
A crew from Louisiana Public Broadcasting recently visited our offices and warehouse to tape a segment for “Louisiana: The State We’re In.” Joseph Billingsley, Pelican’s Sales Manager, discussed how an independent publisher works with independent booksellers for the show that aired on March 25.

uglesiches on emeril Live
Gail and Anthony Uglesich, proprietors of the landmark seafood eatery Uglesich’s, will join fellow New Orleans chef Emeril Lagasse on the Food Network on April 12. Their cookbook, Uglesich’s Restaurant Cookbook (9781589802094), written by their son, John Uglesich, is already in its second printing and has received rave reviews.

Passover begins April 23
Toby Belfer’s Seder: A Passover Story Retold (9780882899879) by Gloria Teles Pushker, with illustrations by Judith Hierstein, is the perfect explanation of this holy event. For your own Seder feast, try the family favorites in How to Cook Like a Jewish Grandmother (9781589802155), by Marla Brooks, or the low-calorie recipes in Passover Lite Kosher Cookbook (9781565541337) by Gail Ashkanazi-Hankin.

MORE News on
 pelican authors

Author returns home to st. tammany parish
 Ashleigh Austin, whose first book is St. Tammany Parish Postcards (9781589802476), is visiting her native state from her current home in the Ozarks in order to promote the book. Charles J. Fritchie, Jr., Slidell historian and professor emeritus from Tulane University, praises the book, which features postcards from Ms. Austin’s own collection, saying “both natives and newcomers will enjoy ‘St. Tammany in the making’ through this book.” On April 9, she will sign copies at the Barnes & Noble in Mandeville and at the B. Dalton Booksellers in Slidell. Then she will appear at the Sam’s Club in Slidell on April 16.

Debut events for new book about Washington D.C.
 Thomas B. Grooms, author of the brand new coffee table book The Majesty of Capitol Hill (9781589802285), will sign copies on April 30 at the Washington Design Center’s Designer Showcase and he will kick off the Capitol Hill Society’s tour on Mother’s Day weekend May 7. This latest edition to Pelican’s acclaimed Majesty series of historical and architectural books features full-color photography by Taylor J. Lednum. Both Mr. Grooms and Mr. Lednum live in restored homes in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, which is one of the largest historic districts in the country.

HOLOCAUST DOCUMENTARY TO AIR
 The film companion to Fate Did Not Let Me Go (9781589801530) will be broadcast in New York on April 13 on PBS Channel 13 at 10:00 pm and again at 10:30 pm on WNET. Fate Did Not Let Me Go contains the heart-breaking letter that Valli Ollendorff wrote to her son just before her death in a concentration camp.

Clovis Crawfish Onstage
 The Playmakers of Baton Rouge are performing a live stage version of Mary Alice Fontenot’s classic picture book Clovis Crawfish and his Friends (9780882894799) on April 29-May 1 and May 6-8.

NEW SERIES OF ADVENTURE NOVELS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
 The MacGregor Family Adventure Series by Richard Trout features fast-paced action in exotic locales as three intrepid siblings tackle pirates, eco-terrorists, poachers, and other villians. Best-selling author Clive Cussler praised the novels, saying “Trout has written a tale for young people the way it should be written.” The first title, Cayman Gold: Lost Treasure of Devils Grotto (9781589803237), takes place in the Caribbean, while the family visits Kenya in Elephant Tears: Mask of the Elephant (9781589803244). The MacGregor’s encounter danger in the Sahara in Falcon of Abados: Oracle of the Nile (9781589803275) and weather the frozen tundra in Czar of Alaska: The Cross of Charlemagne (9781589803282). Meet Richard Trout in Pelican’s booth #3068 at IRA in San Antonio May 1-5.

new childrens travel series
Pelican is proud to announce the My Trip series of travel books for kids, beginning with My Trip to Washington D.C. (9781589803602) and My Trip to New York (9781589803619). These innovative journals encourage young travelers to write in their impressions of famous landmarks, historic sites, museums, and other attractions, creating a personal keepsake to memorialize the trip. Each title includes built-in pockets for postcards, brochures, maps, and ticket stubs, as well as crossword puzzles, word scrambles, and other activities.

Expert on Jewish Travel to Speak
 Ben G. Frank, who the Jewish News says “has emerged as one of the most expert travel writers on Jewish communities and culture,” will appear at J. Levine Books and Judaica on April 10 in New York City to discuss his latest book, A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and South America (9781589800786). The Caribbean region is an increasingly popular vacation choice for destination bnai mitzvahs.

Raggedy ann and andy author to tour california
Patricia Hall, author of The Real-for-Sure Story of Raggedy Ann (9781565547636), has written a new companion picture book The Honest-to-Goodness Story of Raggedy Andy (9781589802513), just in time for Andy’s eighty-fifth birthday. She will be delighting fans of all ages with her storytelling and songs as she visits stores across California this month. Her stops include Barnes & Noble in Fresno, Borders in Stockton, Linden Tree Bookstore in Los Altos, Barnes & Noble in Emerville, Barnes & Noble in San Jose, Barnes & Noble in Stockton, Borders in Elk Grove, and Borders in Roseville.

What the critics are saying about Pelican titles:

The Majesty of Eastern Mississippi (9781589801585) by Jim Fraiser:

“Intriguing to those who enjoy history, informative to those studying the Deep South and inspiring to those with a passion for architecture, The Majesty of Eastern Mississippi . . . presents a slice of life as rich and romantic as a steamboat trip to a tobacco plantation--lovingly preserved in homes once owned by the genteel, wealthy and influential.”
--Victorian Homes

Confederate Women (9781589801868) by Mauriel Phillips Joslyn:

“Amazing book!”
 --Dave (Doc) Kirby’s “Book Bits,” WTBF Radio

Savannah Sketchbook (9781589801028) by Jeffery Eley:

“Readers with such an interest will love the views of Savannah.”
--Midwest Book Review Bookwatch

A Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and South America (9781589800786) by Ben Frank:

“The author’s latest in-depth tour through Latin America and the Caribbean provides both historical insight and useful travel tips.”
--American Reference Books Annual

Joshua the Giant Frog (9781589802674) by Peggy Thomas:

“Smith’s realistically executed watercolors depicting the giant frog and his helpful nature.”
--Kirkus Reviews

 

Soft Targets (9781589801981) by Detective Michael L. Varnado:

“Varnado offers up truly invaluable lessons from his work on the front line of crime scene investigation.”
--Midwest Book Review

 

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