School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-This story looks at the final day of celebrations and parades through the eyes of two African-American children. Emphasis is placed on a couple of unique and very colorful traditions of the New Orleans black community-the African-American Zulu parade and the Mardi Gras Indians, who dance down the neighborhood streets at dawn in elaborate hand-sewn costumes. The children participate in these two events and then join the crowds on Canal Street for the king of all parades, Rex, before returning home for a good helping of Louisiana's special cuisine, and closing out the day with more parades and merriment. An author's note gives a more detailed description of the fascinating Mardi Gras Indian tradition, which derives from a mixture of African and Native American cultures, and has been handed down through many generations. Cooper's outstanding oil paintings glow with warm colors, richly conveying the festive family atmosphere. An especially appealing book that offers children vicarious enjoyment of this special day.-Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this disjointed picture book, two young narrators describe their activities on New Orleans' "day of street parties," a time when "Mardi Gras Indians" don "feathers, beads, and gemstones" to dance through the neighborhoods. The children also observe two festive parades called Zulu and Rex, which represent other segments of New Orleans history, then feast on favorite treats (gumbo, ham and peas) at a joyous family luncheon. Unless readers are already familiar with Mardi Gras, they will be at sea here. Though Shaik's (The Jazz of Our Street) text hints at Mardi Gras rituals, readers never learn the meaning behind the colorful traditions. Several passages and phrases are misleading or confusing, suggesting, for example, that the Mardi Gras "Indians" are a people who live in small homes with door blinds. Adults also call out the baffling greeting "I know you, Mardi Gras" to the young participants. The key information about Mardi Gras' religious significance and explanations of who the "Indians" and other cultural/ethnic groups are is relegated to an author's note, and some definitions are still sketchy. Cooper's oil wash paintings here are characteristically warm in tone and suffused with subtle light and shadow. In several vibrant scenes of revelers, he captures the wonder, pageantry and air of celebration that Mardi Gras inspires, even though readers may be at a loss to understand the context for the festivities. Ages 4-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
