Petite Rouge: A Cajun Twist to an Old Tale

by Sheila Hebert-Collins, Chris Diket (Illustrator)

Take Little Red Riding Hood, drop her in the middle of the Louisiana bayou,
and she magically transforms into Petite Rouge!
As she hurries through the swamp to bring her sick grandm�re some
soothing �touff�e, Petite Rouge does not have to worry about any
big bad wolves. However, she does have to watch out for the gator taille-taille!
Will Petite Rouge safely deliver her �touff�e to Grandm�re?
Will Grandm�re get well? Will the gator taille-taille eat them both? As
children discover the answers to these questions, they will also learn numerous
Cajun words along the way.
A former teacher who makes frequent school appearances, Sheila H�bert
Collins proudly claims a heritage that is completely Cajun. A native of
Abbeville, Louisiana, Mrs. Collins combined her Cajun love and pride with her
love of children's literature to create her unique Cajun fairy tales. Her unique
talents have placed her on the Louisiana State Artist Roster as an author and
Cajun storyteller.
Chris Diket, a professional artist and art teacher, resides in Thibodaux,
Louisiana. also Available on Audiocassette.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Tima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clotilde Mouton was a little girl who lived in the bayous of southern Louisiana. Everyone called her Petite Rouge because of the little red cloak and bonnet that she was always seen wearing. Her mother asked her to take some etouffee to her sick grandmother. Petite Rouge took a path through the swamp and met an alligator named Taille-Taille. Readers who enjoyed the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood will enjoy the Cajan twist on the story. Bright colorful illustrations fill every page. Numerous Cajan words are used to illustrate the story. Below each paragraph is the definition and pronunciation for the French Cajan words so the reader will be able to properly pronounce the words. The frequent use of the unfamiliar words can make reading the story with any flow difficult. Children will enjoy the illustrations that pair well with the story and will also relish the ending. The book would work well for anyone wanting to learn Cajan French in a fun setting or for a school looking to add to their library.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Lit in exchange for my honest review.

[Hannah Lewczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Cajun twist to the fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood is so adorable and I love that they kept the original telling of the grandma and little girl being eaten. I also love that in the end, that pesky alligator got what was comin for him and was made into alligator picante! Oh, and Grandma and Little Red were a-oh-kay! Super cute story and 100% recommend to children born and raised in the bayou. Loved the Cajun words/phrases and the description/pronunciation at the bottoms of each page. Would recommend to kids 5-12.

[Talawolf911 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of the best books i have ever read

[Erma Talamante · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twist on Little Red Riding Hood, with a gator instead of a wolf. The story is a neat introduction to Cajun french, and gives translations at the bottom of each page.