Today Is Monday In Louisiana - Tapa dura

All you lucky children, come and eat it up!

"Kadair's homespun collages . . . prove to be a tasty medium. . . . Youngsters may well be inspired to put together their own art projects celebrating their favorite dishes."
-Publisher's Weekly

"A pleasing addition to Louisiana lore and a fun, light note for a unit on the state."
-School Library Journal

Gold/Honors Award Winner
National Parenting Publications Awards
(NAPPA) Children's Products
The Big Read 2010
Recommended Reading List for the National Coalition of Girls' Schools

Based on a popular song adapted by the multi-award-winning New Orleans singer-songwriter Johnette Downing, Today Is Monday in Louisiana rhythmically takes readers through a culinary calendar, describing a Louisiana meal a day.

Each day of the week is a delicious one in Louisiana, a state known as much for its love of food as for its love of cultural heritage, family, and tradition. The best of Cajun, Creole, African, and French foods have been enjoyed for generations and continue to be served up daily at restaurants, in schools, and at the dinner tables of families throughout the state.

On Monday there are red beans to eat and on Tuesday, po' boys. On Wednesday gumbo is served, and on it goes, each day bringing another unique and tasty Louisiana dish to share. A glossary describes the meals, their cultural origins, and how the food is presented. A recipe for red beans and rice is included, too, so you can begin your week the Louisiana way!

Johnette Downing is an award-winning, internationally recognized singer and songwriter. Her many accolades include eight Parents' Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, and four National Parenting Publication Awards. She wrote and illustrated How to Dress a Po' Boy, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs, My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane, Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud, and Amazon Alphabet and is the author of Chef Creole, Down in Louisiana, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin, Why the Oyster Has the Pearl, Chef Creole, Today Is Monday in Texas, Today Is Monday in New York, and Today Is Monday in Kentucky. Downing lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Deborah Ousley Kadair was trained in the Montessori teaching method and conducts storytelling and illustration workshops for children. Having worked with young children since the 1990s, Kadair understands what children like about picture books and uses her experience to create imaginative, collage-style illustrations. She is the author and illustrator of four books, There Was an Ol' Cajun, Grandma's Gumbo, I Spy in the Louisiana Sky, and I Spy in the Texas Sky, and has illustrated many others, including Chef Creole, Today Is Monday in New York, Today Is Monday in Texas, Today Is Monday in Kentucky, Down in Louisiana, and There Was a Tall Texan Who Swallowed a Flea, all with Pelican. Kadair resides in Texas with her family.