Mademoiselle Grands Doigts — Johnette Downing

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 gris turning her into a creature with long gnarled fingers and warts. Ashamed, she vanished, never to be seen again. The resentful girls turned as green as their hearts and fled to the swamp. Now, every New Year's Eve, Mademoiselle Grands Doigts finds nice children and fills their shoes with treats proving pretty is as pretty does. Johnette Downing deftly weaves this slightly scary Cajun morality tale accompanied by the moody colors of Heather Stanley's luscious illustrations.