Children's book authors part of free library program

Three Louisiana authors with new children’s books will discuss them at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie, in a free program. 

Kat Pigott, I See You Green Dinosaur

Nana loves to make Kole magical green dinosaur pancakes for breakfast. In Green Dinosaur Pancakes, Kole discovers Nana’s pancakes come to life and the strongest survive their morning spats! In this sequel, the green T-Rex just won’t leave Kole alone. When Kole encounters a school bully, the prehistoric pancake helps him out of a sticky situation. In this anti-bullying tale, Kole and the green reptile stand up to the bully and learn that a little kindness can go a long way and that friends can come from the most unexpected places. Mason Sibley provides appealing characters in this entertaining story.

Kat Pigott’s love of cooking and food began when she was young and her father made green dinosaur pancakes for her and her sister. Pigott has worked as a chef, catering director, and food pantry director. She founded several charitable organizations including Kid’s Kitchen. Recognized by the Louisiana governor for her dedicated community service, Pigott is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She consulted with teachers and counselors for this book.

Florencia Levinton Schabelman, My New Neighbors

My New Neighbors is a children’s book (ages 3 to 10) about a pair of ducks and their ducklings and how they are welcomed to the neighborhood. Along the way the neighbors and ducks share some adventures. The book poses questions to the children allowing them to imagine different scenarios. Schabelman says “You get two books for the price of one, an English version and if you flip it over you can read the same story in Spanish.”

Florencia Schabelman lived in her native Buenos Aires until 1977 when she immigrated to the United States. She holds a degree in Computer Science from the School of Sciences at Buenos Aires National University. In 1984, she became a tourist guide for the City of New Orleans, and in 1991 graduated as a Certified Medical Manager. Since 1982, she worked as a medical manager and as an ultrasound technician at a medical office until she retired in 2006. In 2018, she published her first children's book, My New Neighbors.

Melissa Wallace, It’s Great To Be a NOLA Kid and It’s Great To Be an Acadiana Kid

It’s Great To Be a NOLA Kid is a coloring book that includes simple line drawings of the most familiar images from the Crescent City: the aquarium, beignets, City Park carousel, Superdome, fleur de lis, king cake, streetcar, second-line umbrella, and zoo. It’s Great To Be an Acadiana Kid features gators, gumbo, rougarou, and more. Each letter of the alphabet corresponds with an iconic cultural, natural, or culinary image that illustrates the diversity and uniqueness of Acadiana. 

Melissa Maloney Wallace received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Nicholls State University and used her skills to teach elementary school children. After Hurricane Katrina forced her family to relocate to Florida, she found her calling in graphic arts, supporting her family business and keeping her New Orleans roots alive. Back in Louisiana for good, Wallace owns and operates Let's pARTy NOLA and lives in Mandeville with her family.

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.