Johnette Downing

• Feb-2026
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• Oct-2024
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Petit Pierre has made a home for himself on the coast where Louisiana meets Mississippi, and now it is time for him to learn how to plunge-dive. Brown pelicans typically pick up this behavior by watching others do it. Will a new friend help Pierre le...

• Sep-2023
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This original Cajun tall tale is a familial love story between a child and his godfather. Like children on the playground, the child boasts to the reader about his parrain's superhuman strength and wolflike qualities as proof that the godfather is in...

• Sep-2021
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Five little possums swing from a tree, teasing Mr. Alligator, You can't catch me. Pre-readers can count down as the possums are scared away one by one in this engaging counting book from award-winning author and musician Johnette Downing. Her felt co...

• Aug-2019
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Way down south in New Orleans, there's a jazzy little sound on Halloween. As a mummy is transported down the street in a silver casket, a spooky parade follows, with a witch on bass drum, a skeleton on snare, a black cat on trombone, a jack-o-lantern...

• Feb-2018
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A curse is no match for a generous heart.

Once upon a time on New Year’s Eve night, hundreds of suitors lined up to kiss the graceful hands of Mademoiselle Grands Doigts. Jealous of the lovely maiden, the other girls cast a terrible gris ...

• Feb-2017
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“In Lindsley’s vigorously brushed rural scenes, the comically gesticulating red rooster often occupies the foreground as, behind, a multiracial procession of revelers in colorful festival costume goes from farm to farm begging for a handout.�...

• Oct-2016
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Based on a popular song adap...

• Sep-2016
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Johnette Downing stays true to her Louisiana roots in her newest book, featuring a young pelican searching for his proper home. As Petit Pierre journeys across the wetlands, he asks each creature where he should live. He accumulates gifts from the...

• Oct-2015
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Based on a song from author and illustrator Johnette Downing's album Boogie Woogie Bugs, the singsong rhyming text introduces babies and youngsters to the wonderful world of bugs. Illustrated with Johnette's bold, bright foam and paper collages, the ...

• Oct-2015
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Drawing on her roots in Louisiana, author and illustrator Johnette Downing delivers a fast and funny romp in this counting book for preschoolers! Based on a familiar tune, Downing's version gives a fresh take on the perfect counting tale for shared r...

• Feb-2015
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A Cajun Re-telling of the "Will-o'-the-Wisp" Tale!

"Johnette Downing thinks like a kid but writes like a magician. This Cajun tall tale is a little bit scary and a lot of fun." ―Julie Kane, former Louisiana Poet Laureate

Legend say...

• Oct-2014
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Cotton candy clouds, gumdrop showers, and cupcake flowers thrive in this sparkling display of a child's daydream come true! Snuggle up on a fluffy pillow and read this tasty bedtime story to your little one. Take your child to a land where dele...

• Sep-2012
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Move over Bre'r Rabbit, there's a new trickster in town!

When hungry Deer asks Possum how he stays so plump during the long dry season, the sly marsupial gets an idea. It wouldn't take much for Possum to help Deer; he could just climb that...

• Oct-2011
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A trickster tale about generosity. A long time ago, the Oyster was not only generous and kind; he was also the keeper of all the gems in the world. Whenever any type of creature would come to him in need, the Oyster would share his jewels without ...

• Jan-2011
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A is for Amazon, B is for boa constrictor, C is for caiman, and Z is for zoologist in this colorful and informative nonfiction picture book for young readers. Each alphabetic entry gives children a little background on the term, and the bright col...

• Jan-2011
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“A delightful evocation of some of New York State’s most beloved foods. Guaranteed to make your stomach rumble as you read along.” -- Louis Alvarez, independent filmmaker, the Center for New American Media On Monday, it’s apples, and Tuesday...

• Sep-2010
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There was an old lady who swallowed a fly. . . . Young readers will love hearing about the fly and all the other creepy-crawly bugs the old lady gulps down in this fanciful feast based on the traditional song. With a taste for slugs, the old lady ...

• Sep-2010
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A gross and giggle-inducing take on the classic children's song with "sly humor and a bit of the unexpected presented with bold art" (School Library Journal).   There was an old lady who swallowed a fly . . . Young readers will lo...

• Sep-2009
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Give a crab a crawfish, and he won't eat for the day!

A long time ago, when Crab and Crawfish were still best friends, Crawfish was feeling particularly lazy―and particularly hungry-as he loafed around the muggy bayou. When Crab arrived w...

• Dec-2008
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There was a man from New Orleans and his name was Chef Creole. His hair was made of rice, his eyes of red beans, and his feet of beignets. Young readers will delight in this Louisiana picture-book adaptation of the song Aiken Drum....

• Sep-2008
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Based on a traditional song adapted by this nationally acclaimed Louisiana singer/songwriter, this rhyming picture book tells of various Louisiana fare such as red beans, fil' gumbo, baguettes, and alligator stew. Readers are also introduced to th...

• Jun-2007
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Based on a traditional song adapted by Louisiana singer/songwriter Johnette Downing, this counting book tells of pelicans, armadillos, black bears, alligators, Catahoulas, nutria, possums, crawfish, and mosquitoes and their kin. Set in the Louisia...

• Oct-2006
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On Monday, there are red beans to eat, and on Tuesday, po�boys and on it goes throughout the week, each day bringing a unique and tasty Louisiana dish to the table. Based on a song by New Orleans singer/songwriter Johnette Downing, Today Is Mon...