Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize

by Brittany Mazique, Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)

Overview

Delphine Denise likes things BIG. And what's bigger than a Mardi Gras prize?

"Kids will connect with Delphine's holiday excitement, even when it causes trouble, and learn from the mistakes she makes."—Booklist

Every year, Delphine Denise Debreaux and her friends ride their bikes together in the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. But this year, there's a shiny prize for best float—and Delphine Denise just has to win it. How can her friends remind Delphine Denise what the parade is really all about?

This joyful picture book, inspired by the author's own experience celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans as a child, explores the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holiday. Full of vibrant and festive illustrations, this story reminds readers that winning isn't everything, and the best way to let the good times roll is in the company of friends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807515488
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	01/01/2022
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,024,363
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD520L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Brittany Mazique was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, but spent most of her middle school years in New Orleans. A voracious reader from an early age, Brittany discovered that most of her favorite characters did not share her skin color. So she just reimagined them that way instead. Now, as a mother of a precocious little brown girl, Brittany has committed herself to creating literary escapes for marginalized children and communities. Her stories aim to leave readers hopeful, inspired, and proud of who they are.

Sawyer Cloud is a self-taught artist living in Madagascar, her birth country. She is a passionate artist with a huge interest in dreams and freedom. Her previous titles include The Juneteenth Story and Sugar Pie Lullaby, among many others. Sawyer loves music and has a long list of dreams to accomplish, including traveling around the world.

Editorial Reviews

"Kids will connect with Delphine's holiday excitement, even when it causes trouble, and learn from the mistakes she makes."—Booklist

"Purchase where friendship stories or picture books on Mardi Gras or carnival celebrations are needed."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

01/01/2022

K-Gr 3—Mardi Gras, the biggest celebration of the year, is Delphine Denise's favorite New Orleans holiday. Delphine, who is Black, and her three best friends always ride their bikes in the parade. This year, Delphine wants to win the grand prize crown, and that requires building a float. Delphine's friends help her decorate a wagon, but decide they would rather ride their bikes in the parade. As the parade marches through Jackson Square, Delphine's float falls apart with a loud clatter. Her friends offer to help, but she shrugs them off. The parade goes on without her. After the parade, the diverse friend group reconciles with a homemade king cake and crown. Colorful illustrations feature the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, which add a festive spirit to the story. The narrative doesn't fully explain the background of events; however, the back matter includes information on Mardi Gras and New Orleans words and phrases included in the text. VERDICT Purchase where friendship stories or picture books on Mardi Gras or carnival celebrations are needed.—Rita Christensen

School Library Journal

2021-10-13
Delphine Denise Debreaux wants to win the grand prize for the best Mardi Gras float and nearly loses some friends in the process.

Every year Delphine Denise, presenting as Black, and a group of friends (Anna Louise, Xavier, and Theodore) march in the Mardi Gras parade. They decorate their bikes with balloons and purple, gold, and green streamers, and together they bake and enjoy king cake. When they learn that the grand prize for the best Mardi Gras float is a crown, Delphine Denise becomes obsessed with winning. Anna Louise, Xavier, and Theodore are not concerned with victory and merely want to hang out. When the big day arrives, Delphine Denise steers a towering float along the route until it begins to topple. Stuck in the middle of the street with a busted float, Delphine Denise spots Xavier, Anna Louise, and Theodore having fun and brainstorms a way to salvage the day. This book lacks appeal for readers who are not familiar with Mardi Gras. The illustrations do a fine job of incorporating the colors of Mardi Gras, but the scenes of the parade are sparse and uninteresting. The text notes that “crowds on both sides of the street are ready to catch colorful beads and shiny coins,” but the few people in those spreads can hardly be considered a crowd—something child readers will certainly notice.

Perhaps a choice for regional audiences but not a book for everyone. (author's note, glossary) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews