The King Cake Baby - Paperback

by Keila Dawson (Author), Vernon Smith (Illustrator)

No, mon ami! You can't catch me!

When an old Creole woman bakes dessert on King's Day, she has no idea what shenanigans will ensue. In this New Orleans adaptation of The Gingerbread Man, a mischievous king cake baby escapes his cake! He outruns a praline lady and a waiter at Café du Monde, but can he outsmart the clever baker? Chock full of Louisiana phrases and comic-book-style illustrations, this new take on an old tale brings the Crescent City to life from Jackson Square to the Creole Queen riverboat. This lively story is a great way to introduce children to the sights, sounds, and especially tastes of New Orleans. It even comes with a recipe for homemade king cake--just make sure to keep track of the baby!

Back Jacket

"No, mon ami!" You can't catch me, I'm the King Cake Baby!"

So brags a little Mardi Gras trickster in this lively New Orleans adaptation of The Gingerbread Man. From Jackson Square to the Mississippi River, the story sparkles with French phrases, New Orleans colloquialisms, and vibrant, comic-book-style artwork depicting the city's characters and treasures.

Author Keila V. Dawson was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. In this, her first book, Dawson successfully combines her love for children, her background in special education, and her desire to keep alive the traditions of her hometown.

Comic book artist Vernon Smith received the Judges' Award and the Faculty Award for drawing while at the University of New Orleans and went on to open his own studio, El MacFearsome Comic Squares, in Metairie, Louisiana.