FICTION

Down on the Bayou

by Glenda Armand (text) & illus. by Alleanna Harris
Crown. May 2025. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593707883.
COPY ISBN
Gr 2-4–Bayous represent myth and legend, and they are essential to the ecosystem and economy of Louisiana. Their presence has contributed to storytelling, biology, and economics, but bayous can be misunderstood. In this richly illustrated story, a young boy’s father and grandfather take him to the bayou while detailing the history of the land. As the three navigate the area, the boy imagines the stories come to life, filled with runaway slaves, voodoo, and dragons. Readers are exposed to Louisiana-specific vocabulary such as pirogue, Spanish moss, and cypress knees. Teachers and parents can use this text to make connections to storytelling, cultural representations, and biology associated with the bayou. The gorgeous vocabulary and evocative illustrations make the story come to life.
VERDICT An unusual and useful book that uses imagination, storytelling, and ecology to connect readers to the Louisiana bayou.
Reviewed by Tracey S. Hodges , Apr 01, 2025

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