Mimi's First Mardi Gras

by Alice Couvillon, Alice Couvillon, Elizabeth Moore

Mimi awakens on Fat Tuesday morning and hurries to a breakfast of hot beignets (French doughnuts). At the table, Mimi's parents explain Mardi Gras traditions such as king cake, and the observances of Ash Wednesday and Lent.Afterwards, dressed in colorful costumes, they depart for a day of Carnival excitement and parade watching. Perched on her father's shoulders at the Zulu parade, Mimi watches the bustling crowd enjoying Mardi Gras. Shouts of "Throw me something, mister!" fill the air as ornately-costumed krewe members toss trinkets, beads, and doubloons from atop the passing floats. Using her youthful ingenuity, Mimi uses her crown to catch some of the shower of treasures, souvenirs of "that special day which only comes once a year."Alice Wilbert Couvillon and Elizabeth Butler Moore, authors of Louisiana Indian Tales and Mimi and Jean-Paul's Cajun Mardi Gras, are both native Louisianians who experienced the thrill of their own first Mardi Gras years ago and later relived that excitement through the eyes of their children'a sort of on-the-job training for writing Mimi's First Mardi Gras.Illustrator Marilyn Carter Rougelot utilizes an active imagination and lively colors that capture the sights of Mardi Gras for Mimi, and all of us.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1991

Reviews

[Alice Couvillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok..I'm going to do all of them.

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my bag, but this seems to be a pretty well-done kid's introduction to Mardi Gras as the local families do it. I'm feeling like it's intended to be read by non-locals as it starts with some pretty basic explanations that even a NOLA child is probably already aware of. That being said, good kid-level description of the celebrations. Bonus for an encounter with what are probably the Jefferson City Buzzards.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting storybook helping describe Mardi Gras. For someone that knows very little if nothing about the 'holiday' this book was interesting and taught quite a bit. It still left a few questions unanswered (like why was it the little girls' first time to celebrate when it appears she's about 6 or 7?) but over all it helped to describe what the holiday is and why people celebrate it and what regions celebrate it. The illustrations were nice as well as I read it outloud to my special needs teen age son. He enjoyed following along with the illustrations as I read it to him.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story that depicts the tradition of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. We have never paid much attention to the holiday, so it was fascinating to learn about the various parades, customs, and history of the celebration.

I am not a big fan of the illustrations and I really dislike clowns. Nevertheless, it was a fun tale to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together.

[Mila · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long and tedious for a kid's book. Plus outdated terms and black face. Yikes. Not the cultural immersion book I was hoping for.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Louisianian, I have grown up with the celebration of Mardi Gras all around me. We sometimes go to the parades, and we enjoy a King Cake now and then. This book did a good job talking about the cultural aspects of Mardi Grad celebrations in New Orleans. I wished that they would talk a little bit more about the religious connotations behind the symbols and customs.

[Catarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was long for a children’s book, but I understand that it needed to tell the story. This tells the story of Mimi’s first Fat Tuesday in New Orleans and focuses more on Zulu and Rex and the Mardi Gras Indians. The illustrations were good as well. This would likely make a great read for a first or second grader.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with all the information. Mimi goes to her first parade and has many questions which help the reader understand Mardi Gras.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with beautiful illustrations.

[Nahuatl P Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me pareció una buena descripción de Mardi Grass pero tiene demasiado texto, puede ser aburrido para los niños, además muestra elementos que pueden ser racistas (black face).

[Mandy Faucheux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to incorporate for a shared reading experience with a middle-school kiddo. Full of culture and facts about the holiday that a person can learn in a fun story. Great for tying to back ground knowledge for children with Mardi Gras experience or great for learning all new information about the holiday!