Blanchette et les Sept Petits Cajuns: A Cajun Snow White [Hardcover]

Shelia Hebert-Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2002 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Imagine how shocked the evil voodoo queen is to hear 'Black as nuit her hair does flow, lips trËs rouge , and skin like snow. Blanchette is the fairest I know, as far as the bayous flow.' So begins this Cajun retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . Children will love following poor Blanchetteís adventures through the Honey Island Swamp. And the whole family will enjoy the recipe for delicious jambalaya, just like Blanchette prepares for the seven little Cajuns!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Marie Gaudet is known for her voodoo powers, and she spends a lot of time using them to keep her looks intact. Daily, she drinks a completely disgusting concoction, then queries the still waters of the foggy bayou as to who is the fairest. One day, inevitably, the bayou tells her that Blanchette is the fairest, and Marie Gaudet goes ballistic. She instructs her creatures to take the young woman into the deep swamp to die. Like the woodsman in the classic story, they can't bear to do so, and lead her to the house of the sept petits Cajuns, where she settles in. All proceeds as in the original story until Blanchette bites into a tainted beignet, swoons, is awakened by the attentions of a rich landowner, marries him, drives the witch to death, and lives happily ever after. Cajun terms used within the text are defined and spelled phonetically on the bottom of the page on which they are first used. The telling is competent enough, but the book lacks verve. Soper's illustrations are executed in dark, murky colors that give the book an uninviting feel. The drawings are an odd combination of realistic (Blanchette, Marie Gaudet, the landowner) and cartoon (the swamp creatures look like something out of Pogo), and the features of the main characters vary page to page. If Blanchette didn't wear the same dress throughout the book, readers might not know it is the same girl. If Cajun material is in demand, this title will fill the bill. Otherwise, stick with the many other better-illustrated versions of the classic fairy tale.
Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sheila HÈbert Collins is listed on the Louisiana State Artist Roster as an author and Cajun storyteller and often appears in schools throughout the state. She also has written Cendrillon: A Cajun Cinderella and Petite Rouge: A Cajun Twist to an Old Tale, both published by Pelican.

The lush surroundings of his south Louisiana home and studio often influence the work of award-winning illustrator Patrick Soper. The work of Patrick Soper, a member of the Society of Illustrators, has appeared in national publications such as Outdoor Life, Organic Gardening, and West Coast Book Review. In addition to Cendrillon: A Cajun Cinderella, he has illustrated Cajun Folktales, Contes Populaires Cadiens, Mardi Gras in the Country, and A Christmas Dictionary, all published by Pelican.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (September 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565549120
• ISBN-13: 978-1565549128
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,203,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Oui Bon, April 29, 2009

By 

Heather L. Sison "The Whole Kit n' Kaboodle" (Yelm, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blanchette et les Sept Petits Cajuns: A Cajun Snow White (Hardcover)

Sheila is a wonderful writer who has helped me to learn about my heritage and language. My mom is Cajun and did not speak English until the 4th grade. However, she moved away from Louisiana and has all but lost the language. I depend on authors like Sheila Hebert Collins to continue passing the language down through the generations. I live in Washington State and needless to say there are not a lot of Cajuns I can turn to for language lessons. This one is one of my favorites! Although, I have them all I recommend to everyone to start your collection of these wonderful Cajun fairytales!