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Gator Gumbo
A new take on The Little Red Hen -- Cajun style
Poor Monsieur Gator is getting old and is moving so slow he can't catch himself a taste of possum or otter, or even a whiff of skunk. Day after day those animals tease and taunt him until, finally, he decides to cook up some gumbo just like Maman used to make. But who will help him boil, catch, sprinkle, and chop? Certainly not rude Mademoiselle Possum, ornery Monsieur Otter, or sassy Madame Skunk. But when the gumbo is ready, they're more than eager to enjoy the result of Gator's hard work and as they run to get a taste - "Slurp! Slip! Plop! Them animals go into the pot." "Mmm-mmm," says Monsieur Gator. "Now, this is gumbo just like Maman used to make."
Illustrated with wit and whimsy, this mischievous tale will have young readers laughing out loud.
Poor Monsieur Gator is getting old and is moving so slow he can't catch himself a taste of possum or otter, or even a whiff of skunk. Day after day those animals tease and taunt him until, finally, he decides to cook up some gumbo just like Maman used to make. But who will help him boil, catch, sprinkle, and chop? Certainly not rude Mademoiselle Possum, ornery Monsieur Otter, or sassy Madame Skunk. But when the gumbo is ready, they're more than eager to enjoy the result of Gator's hard work and as they run to get a taste - "Slurp! Slip! Plop! Them animals go into the pot." "Mmm-mmm," says Monsieur Gator. "Now, this is gumbo just like Maman used to make."
Illustrated with wit and whimsy, this mischievous tale will have young readers laughing out loud.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2004
3 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Candace Fleming
66 books635 followersI have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 12, 2021
A playful, new take on the classic, "The Little Red Hen," "Gator Gumbo: A Spicy-Hot Tale" tells the story of monsieur gator who lives in a swamp in his old age. The Cajun culture leaps off the page from the beautiful watercolor illustrations of swampy marshlands to the French style writing that just tickles the lips. The local young critters like terrorizing monsieur because he is slower than him and he is hungry. He decides to make gumbo like his Maman used to make and the skunk, otter, and possum refuse to help him cook it. When the gumbo is finally ready, the mean youngsters all want a taste, and get dangerously close to the gumbo pot, falling in. In a weird turn of events, the rascals who wanted monsieur gator's gumbo became part of the meal. Not the best to compliment a lesson on Louisiana history, but a fun story to read to young readers that will definitely keep their attention and have them laughing at the crazy critters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2009
The language used (presumably authentic for the region) is very rich and it really sets the tone for the whole book.
This is a version of the Little Red Hen where the not-helping animals are really rude instead of just lazy - and they get what they deserve when, after begging for Just One Taste, they fall right in the pot!
A few notes that struck me as odd, though many kids would probably not notice. First, the animals go into the pot without being skinned or even taking off their clothes. Uh, ew? And second, they fall in of their own accord - the gator doesn't help them in any way, they're just that greedy. That's a little weird to me. I understand why it was done, but I would've expected some sign that the alligator pushed them or something. *shrugs*
Really funny book, nice set-up to a great ending, though.
This is a version of the Little Red Hen where the not-helping animals are really rude instead of just lazy - and they get what they deserve when, after begging for Just One Taste, they fall right in the pot!
A few notes that struck me as odd, though many kids would probably not notice. First, the animals go into the pot without being skinned or even taking off their clothes. Uh, ew? And second, they fall in of their own accord - the gator doesn't help them in any way, they're just that greedy. That's a little weird to me. I understand why it was done, but I would've expected some sign that the alligator pushed them or something. *shrugs*
Really funny book, nice set-up to a great ending, though.
April 15, 2011
If you replace the little red hen with old Monsieur Gator, switch out the lazy farmyard animals with a possum, an otter, and a stripe-tailed skunk, make gumbo instead of bread, and set the whole thing in the bayou, you've got Gator Gumbo by Candace Fleming! Read this aloud with a cajun accent and a little sass and you've got a recipe for a fun, slightly sinister read-aloud. If you are reading this to very young children, you might want to prepare them for the end by making sure they know that alligators are predators. This twist on the familiar tale is a lot of fun, and Sally Anne Lambert's illustrations go with the story perfectly. The recipe for Maman's Spicy-Hot Gumbo on the back cover is a nice touch.
November 10, 2023
Ok, a mash-up of two of my favorite stories, Stone Soup and Little Red Hen. Works better than both because of the novelty of the setting and characters and the wonderfully expressive & detailed art. Look at the possum using eggs as weapons, for example. Notice how we're sympathetic to the apex carnivore.
And there are even nod to other tales, and other reference points. I'll have to reread it to catch them all. I do note and like "Try, try, as hard as you can! You can't catch us, 'cause you're an old man!"
And there are even nod to other tales, and other reference points. I'll have to reread it to catch them all. I do note and like "Try, try, as hard as you can! You can't catch us, 'cause you're an old man!"
April 28, 2017
I loved this nifty Cajun version of "Stone Soup"! Sally Anne Lambert's illustrations were perfect-- what a crafty looking alligator, although he looks depressed in the beginning. That soup sounded pretty good to me! Wouldn't want to eat skunk, though. Recommended, especially in combination with other versions of the tale or other stories involving soup!
November 22, 2019
A new take and blending of a couple different classic stories. Good example for the trickster
August 14, 2017
The best way to encapsulate this story would be to compare it to The Little Red Hen, with the understanding that this one has a more vicious nature. Gator is too old to hunt his former pray, and they know it. Therefore, they've taken to bullying him mercilessly. As unlikely as it seems, Fleming manages to turn the former pray into the unlikable aggressors. You'll find yourself rooting for the gator to catch them pretty early on. Then, because this gator is no fool, we hatches a plan to make some gumbo that none of the animals will help him with. This is the part that has The Little Red Hen written all over it. Then, because he makes such an enticing gumbo, the other animals find themselves unable to resist, and that's when he manages to turn the tables on his bullies. You'd never expect to be so happy for a gator to snap up some tiny, seemingly defenseless creatures, but happy you will be. Clever book. Very enjoyable.
September 17, 2018
"Gator Gumbo" is story similar to the fable "The Little Red Hen" but with a cajun twist. The Gator is growing old and the other animals know it, so they tease him and bully him and refuse to help him get ingredients for his gumbo. Eventually, without the help of the other animals, Gator finishes his gumbo just how his mama made it because the animals who were teasing him fell into the pot. They then became an essential part to the Gator's gumbo.
This fable uses personified animals to create a story with morals, in an entertaining way we learn that you shouldn't bully or tease others and it is the right thing to do to help out. I would probably read this story to an older age group like fourth or fifth grade because it might frighten a younger age group that doesn't quite understand the moral that the story is trying to point out. Overall I thought this was a clever story and I loved the very detailed and colorful illustrations.
This fable uses personified animals to create a story with morals, in an entertaining way we learn that you shouldn't bully or tease others and it is the right thing to do to help out. I would probably read this story to an older age group like fourth or fifth grade because it might frighten a younger age group that doesn't quite understand the moral that the story is trying to point out. Overall I thought this was a clever story and I loved the very detailed and colorful illustrations.
October 6, 2019
I truly enjoy Candace Fleming as an author, from picture books to chapter books. She always engages me as a reader and a thinker which I appreciate. Recently I read this book to a group of 1st grade students and asked them just to look at the types of words she uses and the different way that she uses them. It was really exciting to see what the students noticed. From repetition to onomatopoeia to size and shape of words to words that make you see or feel something more clearly because of an adjective, students agreed with me that her word use is marvelous in this book. We even got into a discussion of bullying and sharing the load because of all the teasing that the animals did to Monsuier Gator. A wonderful book that can be used for a huge variety of purposes.
February 13, 2012
Didn't love this one but the ending almost made up for it.
November 16, 2023
Cute! Crafty Monsieur Gator is growing old and can't hunt animals the way he used to; but that doesn't mean his brain is asleep. Aux contraire! He is cleverer than ever and uses cooking up an old family recipe to entice the animals who have been taunting him to come closer. A combination of the Little Red Hen and Stone Soup with a Cajun twist, this story won my heart. Both of our girls were born in Louisiana a few years after the movie, Steel Magnolias, came out, so I have always called them my little 'Steel Magnolias' and if you know them, it fits: tough and beautiful.
September 17, 2024
Just because a predator is weak doesn't mean they aren't still cunning. This gator is more like a sly old fox.
The story has a cajun setting. We see an old gator who is hungry and can no longer hunt because he's so slow. The prey like the possum and skunk and otter taunt him and make fun of him thinking he is harmless. They are just asking for it.
Then we have a gumbo version of 'stone soup' in a way, or the 'little red hen'. They both work. The end is some dark humor. I'm sure you can figure out what happened. I would think kids would love this story for the ending.
The artwork is pretty with lots of charm and Bare Rabbit style. Never trust an alligator.
The story has a cajun setting. We see an old gator who is hungry and can no longer hunt because he's so slow. The prey like the possum and skunk and otter taunt him and make fun of him thinking he is harmless. They are just asking for it.
Then we have a gumbo version of 'stone soup' in a way, or the 'little red hen'. They both work. The end is some dark humor. I'm sure you can figure out what happened. I would think kids would love this story for the ending.
The artwork is pretty with lots of charm and Bare Rabbit style. Never trust an alligator.
December 3, 2024
Gator Gumbo was about an old alligator who was teased by the other animals because of his age. Fed up with being teased the alligator comes up with a plan to trick the other animals by cooking them a large pot of gumbo. Eager to eat and enjoy the gumbo the other animals forget how they treated the alligator and are surprised by the outcome. I think this story is a classical tale about watching how you treat others and would use this book for story time (K-3rd) and a lesson on treating others well.
February 23, 2022
Being from Louisiana I thought this was such a cute tail about a gator tricking animals to get in his pot of delicious gumbo. In this book the other animals did not have any faith in the gator and would always discourage him and tease him about being old and slow. He asked for help and they all told him no until there was something in it for them. So, the gator outsmarted them and caught them in the end. Very cute book.
October 21, 2021
Cajun style The Little Red Hen, but the productive hen is an old Gator and instead of making bread, we're cooking gumbo.
Manages to get the sound and tone right without making it hard to read.
The illustrations are spot on. I especially love the ones where the other animals are teasing Gator, where they're lying on their backs laughing, and where Gator is sitting fat and happy at the end.
Manages to get the sound and tone right without making it hard to read.
The illustrations are spot on. I especially love the ones where the other animals are teasing Gator, where they're lying on their backs laughing, and where Gator is sitting fat and happy at the end.
July 11, 2022
An old gator can no longer catch the other animals and the other animals know it and tease him. So the gator makes a yummy smelling gumbo to lure them closer.
Narrated in a cajun accent which I'm sure failed at. My kids find this fascinating because it doesn't shy away from animals eating other animals.
Narrated in a cajun accent which I'm sure failed at. My kids find this fascinating because it doesn't shy away from animals eating other animals.
October 18, 2019
A cajun take on the Little Red Hen story. This time it's an old alligator who wants help making a gumbo just like Maman used to make and none of the bayou critters will help him out.
Fun illustrations.
Fun illustrations.
May 20, 2021
This is such an interesting book. I bet my 1st graders will love it because my kindergarteners loved The Little Red Hen, so I'm sure this book will be a nice challenge due to the hard words.
I loved the ending. I felt sad for Monsieur Gator... that was until the end. LOL
I loved the ending. I felt sad for Monsieur Gator... that was until the end. LOL
January 21, 2023
Slow doesn't mean dumb and the gator is no dummy. He knew exactly what the creatures thought of him and figured he would outsmart them one way or another... and outsmart them he did, right into his belly.
It's odd but the slow-building climax of just what happens (is it a tale of forgiveness and friendship? Good food? Sharing?) NOPE, when Gator's hungry, he'll find a way.
It's odd but the slow-building climax of just what happens (is it a tale of forgiveness and friendship? Good food? Sharing?) NOPE, when Gator's hungry, he'll find a way.
June 24, 2025
This is such a fun retelling/spin on The Little Red Hen. Gator decides to make gumbo just like Maman used to make. But no one wants to help him...until it is time to taste the gumbo. There's a surprising twist at the end.
January 10, 2018
Retelling of the Little Red Hen.
July 23, 2018
Hilarious retelling of the Little Red Hen... with a twist.
Bust out your best Cajun accent and you are good to go!
Bust out your best Cajun accent and you are good to go!
February 22, 2019
Cute story like the Little Red Hen, but a gator instead. She does end up eating the animals that say, "not I said the ....."
March 4, 2020
So good, read it with my oldest and had a bit of an idea of how it would end and sure enough haha! Good read, great repetition for newbie readers!
December 27, 2020
Cleverly written, playful and funny. Ending has a twist.
January 29, 2021
A Little Red Hen story with a Cajun twist.
October 18, 2021
Very funny and enjoyable. My kids and I liked it.
October 23, 2021
I loved this trickster tale! A new trickster tale with some French words thrown in to help give it some southern flavor.
January 16, 2024
A retelling of the little red hen with a twist at the end.
April 7, 2024
Down in the bayou, a clever old gator outsmarts his bullies by making some mighty good gumbo. My southern soul loved this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews