On side one, a big bétail (big animal) intrudes into the swampland on a gloomy day, and the bayou critters are fearful. The big bétail is Andrew Armadillo from Texas. A huge creature with a hard shell, cowboy boots, and thick-lensed spectacles, Andrew at first frightens our bayou friends with his strange accent and booming voice. Can Clovis help them to overcome their fears?
On side two, a group of bayou animals hurries to see the baby blue jay who has fallen from his nest during a storm. Some of them, like Christophe Cricket and Gaston Grasshopper, feel that the bird should be left alone as it could later pose a threat to them. But Clovis Crawfish feels the situation is similar to that in the mythic tale of Androcles the lion: when the “poor thing” grows up, it might eat them-yet Clovis feels that the orphaned bird needs their help badly and that they cannot let it die. Clovis states his case well, and soon all the bayou friends are working together to feed and take care of Zo-Zo. But when Zo-Zo dramatically shows everyone that he is ready to fend for himself, Clovis takes the necessary steps to send him on his way.
About the Author/Narrator
Mary Alice Fontenot is best known as the children’s author of books on Cajun culture. She created the famous wetland characters of Clovis Crawfish and his friends more than thirty years ago. In addition to the Clovis Crawfish Series, Fontenot wrote several other children’s books, including Mardi Gras in the Country and The Star Seed, both published by Pelican. Fontenot worked as a kindergarten teacher and, for thirty-five years, as a newspaperwoman. Her dedication to children and to her art earned her the 1998 Acadiana Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in 2003 at the age of ninety-three.
CLOVIS CRAWFISH THE BIG BETAIL/
CLOVIS CRAWFISH AND ORPHAN ZO-ZO AUDIOCASSETTE
Written and narrated by Mary Alice Fontenot
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General
ISBN: 9780882899800