Down on the bayou

A Black child visiting family heads out on a Louisiana bayou tour with his poet grandfather in this setting-oriented picture book from Armand and Harris. Paddling in a pirogue with an old friend of Grandpa's, the trio sees otters, herons, and more under moss-covered cypress trees. Grandpa reflects on practices learned by their ancestors from the Choctow and Houma people, while a discussion about plantations leads to his acknowledging how their forebears "endured a lot for us to be born free." Conversational text alternates with factual asides and stanzas of a poem by Grandpa as Troy finds wonder in the setting. Digital illustrations awash in earthy browns and greens give the story a homey, inviting feeling. An author's note and the complete poem conclude. Ages 4--8. (May)

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.--Tracey S. Hodges