Since 1926, Pelican Publishing Company has been committed to publishing books of quality and permanence that enrich the lives of those who read them.
In this cautionary tale, the themes of loyalty, leadership, and identity are all called into question as Dirk and his friends struggle to conquer The Merger. When they take a dangerous journey into the past with the hope of restoring the world’s natural timeline, each of them must struggle with their own inadequacies and deal with all-too-human failings, despite their special powers. Mergers’ riveting plot and supernatural characters will keep teens engaged while reminding them of each individual’s potential to change the world.
This story is a beautiful adaptation of the Italian folktale of how Burano began crafting its famous lace. Rich, intricate illustrations by noted illustrator Traci Van Wagoner complement the delicate tale. Readers young and old will appreciate the resourcefulness and devotion of Gianni and Nicoletta in this title, destined to be a classic.
Once upon a time in 1564, Charles IX, the king of France, ruled that the first day of the year would be January 1 instead of April 1. Those who forgot the change and celebrated New Year’s Day on April 1 were ridiculed by having fish thrown at them. In the skilled hands of Peter Welling, this history takes on a hilarious dimension. In the French town of Bakonneggs, there exists a rivalry between the Mayor Melon de Plume, a pig, and a prankster rooster, Michael Le Soufflé. The mayor lacks a sense of humor and is annoyed to be disturbed from his slumber by Michael&rsquos crowing laughter. He issues new laws (including a ban on all feathers), but the town continues, under the rooster’s leadership, to laugh and play. Hardcover.
Mimi told Tante Conette all of the family news as they walked into the house that was warm with the smell of spicy jambalaya. When they had finished their dinner, the family took their pecan pie dessert outside to sit on the porch in the moonlit night. When Mimi asked Uncle Rabbit to tell her all about the Cajun Mardi Gras, he pulled out a pipe and filled it with sweet-smelling perique tobacco. He slowly lighted it, and began—“Mimi, our Mardi Gras goes back further in time than your New Orleans Mardi Gras. . . . It’s totally different, you’ll see.” Hardcover.
Mimi awakens on Fat Tuesday morning and hurries to a breakfast of hot beignets (French doughnuts). At the table, Mimi’s parents explain Mardi Gras traditions such as king cake, and the observances of Ash Wednesday and Lent. Afterwards, dressed in colorful costumes, they depart for a day of Carnival excitement and parade watching.
On May 21, 1870, Gerome Charles Durand staged a wedding that is still talked about more than a century after it occurred. Although Durand was one of the wealthiest men in St. Martinville, Louisiana, the fame of his grosse affaire (extravagant event) lies in its originality.
Wacky measurements and twisted timing create confusion as two young monsters try to figure out how much time they have and how many ingredients they need to make the perfect boggish cake.
Enter an enchanted land of mythical creatures where manticores reign and ogres roar—a land of mystery and fright. A unique twist on traditional rhymes of everyone’s youth, Monster Goose Nursery Rhymes presents a more sinister approach to these childhood classics, and yet the sing-song nature of the poems renders them playful and jovial at the same time. Little Witch Muffet is not frightened by a silly, little spider; she adds him to her stew!
Nestled in the branches of southern cypress and oak trees is a natural wonder with a magical origin. Its story began when a flood raged through the bayous of South Louisiana. There, a mother and her two children sought shelter from a storm in the branches of a cypress tree. Late that night, the mother asked the moon to keep her sleeping children warm. Moon talked to Stars, Stars talked to Clouds, and when these celestial bodies joined forces, they did more than just save one mother and her children. Moon’s Cloud Blanket is a Native American legend from the Houma people of South Louisiana. Hardcover.
Fun wordplay including rhyme, alliteration, and onomatopoeia follow a pesky mosquito as she buzzes about the forest. A list of mosquito facts appears at the end with informative material about the story’s main character and one of her forest foes.
In the morning, when the sun rises, Mr. Okra drives his brightly painted truck through the streets of New Orleans, selling beautiful, fresh produce. He calls out the names of the fruits and vegetables in a voice familiar to any New Orleanian: “I got tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados! I got mangoes! I got watermelon!” Mr. Okra’s fruits are as colorful as Mardi Gras floats. His veggies are lush like the palms in Jackson Square. And his watermelons are St.-Charles-streetcar green on the outside and Canal-Street-streetcar red on the inside.
This brand-new tale from Johnette Downing introduces a cagey rooster who vows not to be in the communal gumbo pot this Courir de Mardi Gras.
Eight champion huskies awaken one Christmas Eve night to Santa’s sleigh full of goodies. But they aren’t receiving presents yet. The man in red needs help with one final stop. Nome, Alaska, is last on the list and the heavy snow is not letting up. With Rudolph’s nose out of power, someone else will have to guide this sleigh tonight.
This rhyming picture book offers children a tour of the Louisiana traditions of many beautiful towns and cities of the state. Based on a traditional song adapted by the award-winning Louisiana singer/songwriter Johnette Downing, the book invites children to learn the various cultural nuances of each area.
Joey has everything going for him: he’s smart, he’s finally eight (and a half), and his parents at last understand he’s old enough to be left at home alone until his older brother, Dan, comes home. But maybe things aren’t as good as they seem. Joey is also everything monsters that enjoy pan-fried boys look for. To a monster, Joey is just a delicious, defenseless morsel. Hardcover.
In these two stories from award-winning educator and lecturer Steven L. Layne, Joey tries to convince the monsters to eat his brother, Dan, while the older brother has a hard time learning how to “love the baby.” Narrated by Layne himself, these stories cast a funny and fond glance at sibling relationships and include such valuable lessons as how to make a persuasive argument—as in the case of Joey and the monsters—and how to be patient and honest when a newborn joins the family.
Through charming rhymes, craftsman-like images, and a sweet feeling of nostalgia, the lyrical narrative paints a beautiful picture of New Orleans’ families and architecture.