Children's Picture Books

Clovis Crawfish and His Friends

By: Mary Alice Fontenot
Illustrated by: Keith Graves
Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
Publication Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-1589807624
Reviewed by: Holly Conors
Review Date: February 11, 2010

Clovis Crawfish lives in a mud house in Bayou Frog Tail in south Louisiana with a wide range of interesting friends. It's a lovely home but he can't help but wonder why his home is called "Frog Tail" when frogs have no tails? Clovis decides to find the answer.

First, Clovis asks Bertile Butterfly. She doesn't know. Christophe Cricket has no idea either. Fortunately, Clovis stumbles upon Fernand Frog. Surely he must know! Fernand explains that frogs are born with tails but they lose them when they grow up. Ah-ha! Clovis has his answer; all was well in the world.

Clovis wanders around his neighborhood, talking with his many friends. But soon, M'sieu Blue Jay arrives. The bird is hungry and he wants to eat Gaston Grasshopper. Clovis gallantly comes to his friend's rescue, a brief battle ensues, and M'sieu Blue Jay is chased away.

Clovis Crawfish and His Many Friends introduces children to many of the creatures who make their homes in the bayous of Louisiana. Youngsters will learn about the animals' habitats, behaviors and unique talents (did you know that if crawfish lose a claw it will grow back?!).

This is the first book in a series that grew to include 19 books. There is a spattering of Acadian-French phrases spread throughout the story, with the English translations included. To help parents, a pronunciation guide is included at the back of the book.

Originally published in 1962, Clovis Crawfish and His Many Friends has been a popular book in Louisiana and it offers a great opportunity to teach children from other regions of the country what the unique bayou environment has to offer.

Quill says: Clovis Crawfish and His Many Friends is tres bien!