The Advocate Review

Two new, easy-to-read books with food theme available for children
By CHERAMIE SONNIER, Food writer
The Advocate
Published: Jan 29, 2009

More publishers have started offering easy-to-read books with a food theme for young children.Pelican Publishing Co., of Gretna, has two new, colorful, fiction picture books with Louisiana food themes that small children will enjoy. Each costs $15.95.“The Cajun Cornbread Boy” by Dianne de Las Casas and illustrated by Marita Gentry, is an adaption of “The Gingerbread Boy” folktale. The book is about an old Cajun woman who more than anything wants a child and decides to make a cornbread boy. She adds a big dash of cayenne pepper to the batter. The boy runs away and soon has encounters with a raccoon, a fox and an alligator. The story has a surprise ending, and the book closes with a recipe for Southern Cornbread. A glossary of French terms used in the book is included.

For the second book, “Chef Creole,” Louisiana singer and songwriter Johnette Downing has adapted a traditional song, “Aiken Drum.” The book is illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair. Chef Creole is a man from New Orleans whose hair is made of rice, his eyes of red beans, his nose of okra, and his mouth, a praline. He plays upon a ladle and sings of Louisiana food. The book includes a glossary of the Louisiana foods mentioned in the “Chef Creole” song, and it ends with the written music.

Tour Schedule - February 2009

Here is my public performance tour schedule for February. School and private events are not listed. I hope to see you when I am in your area!

February 14 at 8:30, Educator Workshop, Cape Fear AEYC, Castle Hayne, NC
February 14 at 12:00, Keynote Speaker and Educator Workshop, Cape Fear AEYC, Castle Hayne, NC
February 14 at 4:00, New Hanover County Public Library, Wilmington, NC
February 19 at 3:00 & 7:00, High Point Library, High Point, NC
February 25 from 10:00-2:00, Book Signing, Hudson News Store, New Orleans International Airport, Kenner, LA
February 28, Middle East Performance Tour, Oman

Music Monthly - January 2009

Make Music a Goal in 2009!

The New Year is always a great time to set goals, make a plan of action and accomplish something new. Consider making music one of your goals for 2009. Here are some suggestions:

1) Attend at least one live concert per month.
2) Tithe a percentage of your income to a music school, group or organization.
3) Create a weekly or monthly family music night.
4) Learn to play a musical instrument.
5) Practice playing a musical instrument once a day, week or month.
6) Support local radio programs, record stores, musicians and music venues.
7) Attend music festivals regularly.
8) Buy season tickets to the opera, symphony or a concert series.
9) Enroll your child in weekly music classes.
10) Support musicians by purchasing or downloading original copies of their work instead of sharing unauthorized burned copies of their music.
11) Sing in the shower, in the car and in and around your home every day.
12) Expand your musical horizons by exploring various genres of music each month.
13) Share the gift of music with your children.

Johnette Downing Knows Kids

Here is a great book review for My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane:


By The Independent Staff
Wednesday, January 07, 2009

FOR THE KIDS

Johnette Downing knows kids, and she knows what they like. For 13 years she taught kids music at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. As a musician and songwriter, she’s produced seven CDs of original children’s music, and she’s also the author of four children’s books, all of which focus on Louisiana’s culture. In her book My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane, Downing adapts a traditional tune and takes young readers on a rhyming tour of Louisiana’s traditions throughout the state, with stops in Lafayette, Mamou and Evangeline. My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane retails for $15.95 and is available locally at Barnes & Noble. For more info, visit http://www.johnettedowning.com/. ­— R. Reese Fuller

Thanks Reese! You know books!!!

The Fan Faves Votes are In!

The results of the Fan Faves poll are in and fans have selected "From the Gumbo Pot" as their favorite CD and Today is Monday in Louisiana as their favorite book. Thanks to all the fans who participated in the poll.