Gaston  Goes to Mardi Gras (Gaston  Series)
"Come to Mardi Gras!" beckons a poster in the bayou, and Gaston  the Green-Nosed Alligator can't resist. Beads, doubloons, and parades--New Orleans is Gaston's coconut as he takes in the joyous Fat Tuesday celebrations of the Crescent City.   Gaston gets a true taste of the festivities, from the traditional courir du Mardi Gras and fais-do-do of rural southern Louisiana to the Carnival of the big city. He spies on the float builders, rides a Krewe of Zulu parade float, plays a triangle for Rex's carnival ball, and admires the lavish, eerie, and traditional floats the parades have to offer. During the making of this book, well-known Mardi Gras historian Leonard V. Huber authenticated the historical accuracy of the events, balls, and parades that Gaston encounters. James Rice (1934-2004), in his long, distinguished career as an author and illustrator, produced more than sixty children's books, among them several additions to The Night Before Christmas Series. Cajun Night Before Christmas , Rice's first book, has been nationally recognized as a classic in its genre. Rice taught art and music at both high school and college levels and loved teaching children the joys of writing and illustrating. With more than 2.5 million copies of his books in print, Rice ranks among the nation's best-selling creators of children's books, having received awards from Printer Industries of America and the Children's Book Council.