Chef Creole - Tapa dura

"New Orleans' award-winning songwriter and author Johnette Downing introduces us to Chef Creole in this delightful children's read (or sing) along. From the red beans for eyes, his okra nose, and a praline mouth, he's the tastiest homage ever to our state's rich food heritage. Kids will love Kadair's bold, collage-style illustrations, and a handy glossary will help them learn about the best of Louisiana fare."
-NOLA Baby and Family

In this colorful and interactive storybook, award-winning songwriter and author Johnette Downing invites children of all ages to piece together Louisiana's favorite foods to create the tastiest man ever, Chef Creole. To the tune of "Aiken Drum," Chef Creole dances on the page and plays his ladle like a guitar. With arms of boudin and eyes of red beans, he encompasses all of the Pelican State's most famous flavors.

Deborah Ousley Kadair's collage illustrations make it easy for children to identify the classic Louisiana fare and sing along. The book also includes a glossary of many of the featured foods and terms, from French bread to okra, and the history of dishes such as red beans and rice.

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 Down in Louisiana, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin, Why the Oyster Has the Pearl, Today Is Monday in Louisiana, 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 Today Is Monday in Louisiana, 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.