A Catfish Tale

March 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 3-Everything is fine with Jolie and Jacques-until Jacques catches a magic catfish. Jolie makes him ask it for "one little thing"-a big house where she can sing for her friends-and there the trouble begins. She keeps her husband busy asking for "one more little thing," including a paddleboat on the Mississippi so she can perform her songs, the honor of being Mardi Gras Queen and riding a float in the parade, and, finally, the ultimate title of Queen of the Bayou. Each time the catfish replies: "Ah, tooloulou-if that ain't the easiest thing to do." But when Jolie belts out her songs as Bayou Queen, she stirs up a hurricane and learns a lesson. Colorful illustrations capture the humor and the flora and fauna of the bayou country wonderfully-including an amused alligator who witnesses everything. There is a short "Bayou Glossary" at the end, plus a recipe for seafood gumbo to round out a very satisfactory tale. The book would be a winning read-aloud for storytimes with its repetitive phrases begging for audience participation and is a good example of another variation of "The Fisherman and His Wife."-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

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January 1, 2014
A saucy version of the traditional tale of the fisherman and his wife, set in the Louisiana bayou. Jacques loves to fish among the cypress knees while his wife, Jolie, cooks up gumbo and "[sings] so true, even the cicadas [hush] up to listen." Life changes quickly, though, when Jacques catches a magic catfish, and Jolie makes him request a nice house and then a paddle-wheeler where she can sing for her adoring fans. Next, she asks to be made queen of Mardi Gras and finally, queen of the bayou. Always, the catfish smiles and says: "Ah, tooloulou--if that ain't the easiest thing to do." When Jolie's powerful voice stirs up a hurricane, she understands her mistake and asks Jacques to make one more wish, returning her to her happy life singing in a shack on the bayou, devoted husband by her side. The dialect is not overdone here, and only a few Cajun French words are tossed in for atmosphere. The Louisiana setting is cleverly woven right into the details of the story--the magic catfish, paddle-wheeler, Mardi Gras, etc.--and the rich illustrations in blue and green tones bring the bayou, the river and the city to life. This fresh Cajun twist on an archetypal tale will win fans down the bayou and well beyond. (glossary, seafood gumbo recipe) (Picture book/fairy tale. 4-8)

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