The book, at first glance, was very striking. Having my heritage firmly rooted in Louisiana, I thought this might be a good book to introduce my children to Louisiana culture.
However, I have two problems with this book: The first is with its content. Almost every page is dark and forboding. The letter "V" is for voodoo in the book, with shockingly gruesome depictions of all the trappings of a voodoo priest including dolls with pins stuck in them, potions and a voodoo practitioner who looks ghastly and scary. Is this really appropriate for young children? Adults might feel it harmless, but it is drawn in alarmingly graphic enough detail that it will leave quite an impression on children who cannot discriminate as adults, but rather absorb everything, dismissing nothing as silly or satirical.
The second complaint is that the artwork and writing is visually overwhelming, cumbersome, and is confusing and tiresome to read--especially for a book designed for children. I wonder if younger children will even be able to follow along with the mismatching, ornately written letters and the words hidden amongst flamboyant, darkly colored drawings. My two children pretty much ignored this book out of all the ones they received, favoring the books with cleaner lines, brighter colors and discernable text and without the frightening pictures and gothic overtones.
I am also disappointed that this book depicts the most touristy and sensational snippets of Louisiana culture when there are so many wonderful and beautiful facets of the Cajun world to explore and illustrate . Contrary to what this, and some other books, would have you believe, culture in Louisiana is MUCH more than odd Haitian religious practicies and Mardi Gras. This book seems to be to Louisiana Culture what fast food tacos are to Mexican culture.
Look for other Cajun books that are actually for children, that are mindful of a child's interest and cognitive abilities and a child's emotional development.