Down In Louisiana

Johnette Downing's picture book and song Down in Louisiana showcases the natural environment of the bayous, basins, wetlands, live oaks, marshes, and swamps and the creatures that inhabit them. Readers are encouraged to participate as active observers as they tour the landscape, counting the number of animals on each page. A mother and her pelican one begin the story, and a mosquito and her little skeeters ten conclude it. In between readers encounter alligators, Catahoula, nutria, possum, crawfish, and more as they swim, bark, eat, sleep, buzz, and snap. Deborah Ousley Kadair's mixed media collage illustrations add texture, warmth, and a hidden letter on each page for children to find. The sheet music for this "singable" story is included in the back of the book. "Attractively portrays wildlife in Louisiana's bayous and swamps . . . Offers good storytime possibilities." -School Library Journal "Louisiana wetland critters-including pelicans, of course-are shown in their habitat, with alligators, bears, armadillos, possums and mosquitoes among those getting their verse and their due." -Publishers Weekly "The rhythm is almost irresistible." -New Orleans Times-Picayune "A delightful gift that entertains and educates." -Acadiana LifeStyle

With Clifton Chenier's amazing life and career as the centerpiece, this collection of profiles gathered across two decades unites some of the world's most innovative creative forces.

Charlie Moore was married with two kids (and one on the way) when his Massachusetts bait-and-tackle shop sank without a trace. A skilled fisherman and a savvy entrepreneur trained in his father's cigar shop, Charlie decided to support his family by starring on his own TV fishing show. After all, the ones playing on the TV in Charlie's shop all day had one thing in common: they were dull. As a rule, people called Charlie many things, but never, ever dull. In fact, when he told friends about his television idea, they called him crazy. Today, everyone calls him the Mad Fisherman. The Mad Fisherman is the incredible story of how Charlie cold-called his way into doing short spots for no money for a regional outdoors show while working odd jobs to pay for diapers. When the TV station refused to pay up once the show was a hit, he hooked show sponsors himself, turning Charlie Moore Outdoors into a profitable enterprise. Charlie's success opened doors at ESPN and gave birth to the groundbreaking Beat Charlie Moore, an entirely new kind of outdoors show on which Charlie goes mano y mano with pro fishermen and celebrities alike. Charlie's very competitive, but he still pays more attention to amusing his audience than beating his competitors. But he usually does both, anyway. Guest fishermen on Charlie's boat have included NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, Massachusetts governor and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney (who waterskiied off the back of Charlie's boat), Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun, Ted Nugent, Adam West (TV's Batman), and Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC. No matter how famous they are on dry land, they turn into ordinary guys when Charlie hands them a fishing pole. Well, except Ted Nugent. With unflagging energy, a wild sense of humor, and a sheer love of the outdoors, Charlie Moore entertains and amuses a million and a half people every week.

Illustrations and rhythmic text celebrate edible treats that characterize Louisiana, such as beignets and po boys. Includes facts about the foods mentioned and a recipe for red beans and rice.

Livy Two is happy that Daddy is finally out of his coma, but the befuddled man who comes home is not the daddy the Weems family once knew. He forgets their names, he wanders off—he won’t even touch his beloved banjo. Set in Appalachia in 1963, this heartwarming, and heart-wrenching, follow-up to Gentle’s Holler is narrated by the irrepressible Livy Two, and traces the ups and downs of her large mountain family. Shy and awkward 11-year-old Louise (Louisiana) becomes the reluctant hero as she develops a talent for painting, takes care of Daddy, and shows a surprised Livy Two that sometimes the quietest sibling turns out to be the strongest.

A variety of Louisiana animals pursuing their daily activities introduce the numbers one through ten. Includes a page of music.