From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4–Four old friends play an endless card game of bouree down on the Mississippi River levee through wind, rain, and cold. As each season rolls around, they adjust, first building a shaky roof frame for a tarp to keep off the rain, then four walls and a real roof so the cold can't come in, until finally they are playing in a snug purple house with window boxes and electricity. But then it's spring again and they move outside for the fresh air, and the purple house is forgotten and finally hauled away. Told in the manner of a tall tale, the story conveys the flavor of Cajun life perfectly and the distinctive cartoon illustrations add to the effect. The old men in particular are wonderfully rendered, as are their surroundings. Nothing much really happens, and readers may question some of the logic, but it sure is fun to pass a good time with Bubby, Dumbo, Cap, and Rigger Moritz.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Description
Hey dere--looky here! An award-winning illustrator and a master storyteller team up to create a colorful picture book filled with that unique Cajun spirit and language. Children of all ages will sure be "passin' a good time" with this one-of-a-kind tale.
Come visit Louisiana, land of crawfish and zydeco, where four old men--Bubby, Dumbo, Hebert, and Rigger Moritz--search through the dreamy lowlands to find the perfect place to play their game of cards. The open air seems grand in the spring--when it "shore does look nice outside," but as the weather gets colder, the men start to shiver, so they begin building...and building...and building. Soon, they've constructed an elaborate house!
But when the cool air subsides and the sweet jasmine-scented breezes blow again, the men discover that what they really want is the simple life once more.
Peppered with colorful Cajun lingo, and brightly seasoned with Luc Melanson's whimsical art, this terrific tale treats kids to all the beauty and humor of Louisiana-style storytelling.
Come visit Louisiana, land of crawfish and zydeco, where four old men--Bubby, Dumbo, Hebert, and Rigger Moritz--search through the dreamy lowlands to find the perfect place to play their game of cards. The open air seems grand in the spring--when it "shore does look nice outside," but as the weather gets colder, the men start to shiver, so they begin building...and building...and building. Soon, they've constructed an elaborate house!
But when the cool air subsides and the sweet jasmine-scented breezes blow again, the men discover that what they really want is the simple life once more.
Peppered with colorful Cajun lingo, and brightly seasoned with Luc Melanson's whimsical art, this terrific tale treats kids to all the beauty and humor of Louisiana-style storytelling.
