On Mardi Gras Day

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About On Mardi Gras Day

Product Description Two African-American children participating in the traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration see such sights as the Zulu and Rex parades, enjoying the songs, bright costumes, and gigantic floats. By the author of The Jazz of Our Street. From Publishers Weekly 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. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 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 Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Kirkus Reviews It is dawn on a day of street parties, and children are donning minimalist costumes (an underwater mask for a deep-sea diver, a cowboy hat to evoke a cowboy) so that ``even those who love us must guess our identities.'' Of course the children aren't truly disguised: ``I know you, Mardi Gras,'' one friend calls from the sidewalk. By the fifth spread, readers understand that this is more than a children's party; ``Mardi Gras Indians live in our neighborhood,'' and each emerges from ``the door blinds of his small house like a spring flower opening.'' Five of the double-page oil paintings are given over to actual parade scenes; the rest of the book features more domestic scenes of children in their homes and backyards during the long Mardi Gras day. The story is poetic, but puzzling to children new to the subject: Where is the story taking place? What are ``Mardi Gras Indians,'' and how to makes sense of the statement ``A parade named Zulu will pass''? In read-aloud sessions, cover the