“Stanley’s hazy, deep-hued painted illustrations are appropriately moody… A welcome respite from the flood of Santa Claus and snow-fairy books crowding the holiday shelves.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Once upon a time on New Year’s Eve night, hundreds of suitors lined up to kiss the graceful hands of Mademoiselle Grands Doigts. Jealous of the lovely maiden, the other girls cast a terrible gris gris turning her into a creature with long gnarled fingers and warts. Ashamed, she vanished, never to be seen again. The resentful girls turned as green as their hearts and fled to the swamp. Now, every New Year’s Eve, Mademoiselle Grands Doigts finds nice children and fills their shoes with treats proving pretty is as pretty does.
Johnette Downing deftly weaves this slightly scary Cajun morality tale accompanied by the moody colors of Heather Stanley’s luscious illustrations.
About the Author
Multi award-winning musician and author Johnette Downing has performed on five continents. Her book Petit Pierre and the Floating Marsh represented the State of Louisiana in the Pavilion of States at the 2016 National Book Festival and she returned with Mumbo Jumbo, Stay Out of the Gumbo in 2017. She is the recipient of the 18th annual Louisiana Writer Award.
About the Illustrator
Heather Stanley worked as director of creative services at Audubon Nature Institute. She has used her talents for art and design to educate the public about the natural world and the creatures that live there.
Mademoiselle Grands Doigts
Written by Johnette Downing
Illustrated by Heather Stanley
32 pp. 8.5 x 11 31 illus.
JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places
JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Other, Non-Religious
JUVENILE FICTION / Lifestyles / Country Life
Age & grade: 5-8 & K-3
Reading Ease & Flesch-Kincaid: 78.9, 6.5
ISBN: 9781455623938