Gaston® Goes to Mardi Gras

by James Rice

Gaston the green-nosed alligator has returned from the swamp and is taking adventurous readers on a tour of Mardi Gras.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1999

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tries too hard to fit in some history of Mardi Gras without accomplishing the task in an interesting manner. If I was bored I can only imagine how kids would feel!

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is simply what it is, a review of what Mardi Gras is and is not. It seems odd to me to have a book on Mardi Gras to begin with as it is really an adult ideal. However, children do live in New Orleans and experience the many parades and balls as do the adults, thus the reason I wanted to read a children's version.

I thought when I started reading that this (again children's book) would be a dumb-downed book explaining the holiday. The cover version I read has a cartoonish alligator on it. In the book, it makes him to look like any other revelers. What really happened was a larger detailed version, complete with a list of the krews, what they do, and the parades they host.

Overall, though, it is the illustrations that make this book. The story itself is so-so. It is also why I can only throw out a 3 star review to the crowd.

~Michelle
Disclosure: I picked up a copy of this book from my local library. My review here is 100% my own opinion and may differ from yours.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations that really capture the Mardi Gras season (but without the huge crowds). The text, however, is nothing special.

It does introduce you to some cajun terms (like fais do do).

Read this book to learn about some New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions and to see how funny (or not!) a gator looks in the midst of all the activity.

[Danielle Amedee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was just meh. I was kind of disappointed with the way it seemed forced to add the “Cajun” words to the storyline. Did not seem to be in a natural flow. I was simply bored with it.

HOWEVER, the artwork in this book was impeccable. It MADE the book.

If anything, buy the book for the artwork.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorfully if indistinctly illustrated, this fable depicts the PG-rated Mardi Gras events including calling out the Jefferson City Buzzards, the oldest marching club in New Orleans Mardi Gras, and the old line

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple children’s story about Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Quick introduction to the traditions and events of Mardi Gras. 💜 💛 💚