New releases by River Road Press of New Orleans

It’s always a treat to see a new release by the multi-talented Johnette Downing and her latest book doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it may be our new favorite. “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?” traces the creation of the Carnival cake from rolling out the dough to enjoying it at a party. Each step of the way is accompanied by Downing’s innovative collage illustrations and the “Author’s Note” in the back explains the king cake tradition and how it came to be. In January, Downing will release the song that matches the book, which she recorded with her husband Scott Billington and members of the Dukes of Dixieland. It’s part of an album that highlights Louisiana roots music, from New Orleans traditional jazz to Cajun. “The song is on my upcoming children's record with my hubby titled ‘Swamp Romp, A Louisiana Dance Party for Children,’” Downing wrote us by email.

Another Louisiana talent who mixes great storytelling with creative illustrations is Alexis Braud, a Cajun native from Bayou Lafourche. She has three wonderful books out this fall and every one a winner.

For the little ones, “One, Two, Rougarou” mixes counting with an old Louisiana folktale. In this version, the rougarou (Cajun wolf) can be stopped from entering a house by leaving 13 small objects in a line. The rougarou can’t count past 12 but readers will be able to after reading this book.

“Gumbo, a Magical Bayou Tale” follows a boy named George who’s playing along the bayou until he finds Nanny making a gumbo. But not just any gumbo — the BEST gumbo! In rhyme, Nanny shows George how it’s done, everything from making a roux “shiny like an old penny” to stirring it with a big paddle and Nanny playing the fiddle while it cooks. In the end, there’s a recipe for Nanny’s Gumbo that comes with excellent, easy-to-understand instructions. 

In her most imaginative tale, Braud marries animal illustrations with ballet positions in “Bayou Ballet.” There’s a Panther Pirouette, Rabbit Releve, Turtle Tutu and a Pelican Plie, plus many more (and forgive my lack of accents for Google has issues with them). Dancers will adore this book but I only knew half the positions and loved it just as much. The "Bayou Ballet" launch party will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at the French Library in New Orleans.

Another fascinating tale using animals, and one also fun for children as well as adults, is Michael B. Hewes’ “The Tempestuous Trial of Maybelline Meriweather.” In the town of Avian Mile “perfidious hen” Maybelline stands accused of stealing an egg from another bird’s nest. The town is aghast and as they relate her colorful lifestyle, we are treated to a flock of fascinating birds and rollicking rhyme. Atticus Peck represents Maybelline in the trial, opposed by Canary Mason. Like Braud’s “Bayou Ballet,” bird lovers will get a kick from this tale, but I believe children will enjoy it as well. Just be sure to read it out loud. Heyes is a retired JAG officer who practices law in Gulfport. He is the author of the novel “Watermark.” The book is illustrated by his artist wife, Sarah Hewes.

The Hewes will appear at the following events:

Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, noon to 4 p.m., Barnes and Noble, Gulfport.
Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundog Books, Seaside
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 - 2 p.m., Page and Palette, Fairhope

Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, Lemuria Books, Jackson

Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, Main Street Books, Hattiesburg

Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, Gallery 782 Co-Art, Biloxi
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Barnes & Noble, Metairie – TENTATIVE

Erin Rovin creates a young girl named Little Laveau who lives on the banks of the Mississippi with her menagerie of pets and her Gram in “Little Laveau, a magical bedtime story.” Illustrated by Katie Campbell, the book deals with her friend having bad dreams and Little Laveau explaining how to put them in a dream jar and let them loose. It includes a good dream recipe and pages to record readers’ dreams. The authors follow up with “Little Laveau: Bayou Beware!” in which the young girl meets a young trumpet player but gets lost in the woods one night chasing after her pets. Rovin will appear at the Audubon Zoo on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, for the Zoo Lights Launch Party (New Orleans, LA).

Other books coming out this fall from River Road Press:

“Jack and Remy’s Bayou Band” by Joani Lacy, illustrated by Debbi Kern

“Mardi Gras in Alabama!” by Karyn W. Tunks, illustrated by Alexis Braud

River Road Press authors will be as a group at the following events:

Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 - 10 am - 5 pm

Palmer Park Arts Market (New Orleans, LA)

Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018 - 10 am - 5 pm

Palmer Park Arts Market (New Orleans, LA)

Saturday, Dec. 1 - 10 am - 4 pm
Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle-Orleans Marche d'Hiver (winter market)
Lycee Francais Priestley campus (Leonidas Street, New Orleans)

Saturday, Dec. 15-16, 2018 - 10 am - 5 pm
Palmer Park Arts Market (New Orleans, LA) 

To learn where individual River Road Press authors will be this holiday season, click here.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.