Chef Creole
Chef Creole
Johnette Downing takes “Aiken Drum,” a beloved traditional song, and adapts it into a savory Creole Chef book. Following the familiar pattern of the song, his hair is made of rice, rice, rice; his eyes are made of red beans, red beans, red beans; and his mouth is made of a praline, praline, praline. With a King Cake body and beignet feet, this Louisiana Chef is good enough to eat! Whimsically illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair.
Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: 1 – 3
Release Date: December 15, 2008
Hardcover: 32 pages
ISBN: 978-1589806177
Reviews
"An illustrated songbook is always welcome for storytimes, especially one with easy collages to copy for potential flannel-board use."
——School Library Journal
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, September/October 2009, www.nolababy.com
More publishers have started offering easy-to-read books with a food theme for young children. Pelican Publishing Co., of Gretna, has two new, colorful, fiction picture books with Louisiana food themes that small children will enjoy. “Chef Creole” - Louisiana singer and songwriter Johnette Downing has adapted a traditional song, “Aiken Drum.” The book is illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair. Chef Creole is a man from New Orleans whose hair is made of rice, his eyes of red beans, his nose of okra, and his mouth, a praline. He plays upon a ladle and sings of Louisiana food. The book includes a glossary of the Louisiana foods mentioned in the “Chef Creole” song, and it ends with the written music.
-CHERAMIE SONNIER, Food writer, The Advocate, Published: Jan 29, 2009
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. - Books-A-Million
Award-winning singer and songwriter Johnette Downing teams up with Deborah OusleyKadair for another perfect storybook, which celebrates life in Louisiana and introduces young readers to the spice of Southern culture and food. To the tune of the traditional song "Aiken Drum," Downing puts together the quintessential Cajun ingredients to make the ultimate Creole man. With legs made of French bread and hair made of rice, Chef Creole comprises all of the South's most favorite foods and teaches children about the many flavors of Louisiana. Chef Creole includes a glossary of Louisiana fare, including boudin, cayenne pepper, and beignets. Kadair's collage-style illustrations make it easy for children to interact with the book and point out the foods that help build Chef Creole himself. -!ndigo