The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajun Christmas Story

"The Legend of Papa Noel" is a delightful children's Christmas tale patterned after Santa and his reindeer, except that the story presents a different set of characters. For example instead of Santa, there is Papa Noel, instead of reindeer there are alligators, and instead of a sleigh there is a pirogue - a Cajun canoe. There is another interesting slant to the story. Just as Santa had nine named reindeer to carry his sleigh, Papa Noel had nine named alligators to pull his Cajun canoe through the foggy waters of the Mississippi River to deliver Christmas gifts to all the little Cajun boys and girls. Papa Noel's alligators all had French names -- Etienne, Emille, Remmy, Renee, Alcee, Alphonse, Francois, Fabieene and Nicollette. Just as Santa experienced a foggy night and had to rely on Rudolph's shiny red nose, Papa Noel experienced a foggy night and had to rely on on one of his alligator's shiny green eyes to guide his canoe through the Christmas Eve fog. The fog was so thick up and down the Mississippi River that even the shiny green eyes of Nicollette, his lead alligator. was not enough. You will want to read the book to find out how Papa Noel gets help to maneuver up and down the Mississippi River on that foggy Christmas Eve night and also to find out about some of the obstacles encountered on his Christmas Eve jaunt.This hardback book measures 9 1/4 inches by 11 1/4 inches. There is a beautiful full color pictorial cover and matching dust jacket picturing the jovial Papa Noel and his Cajun canoe, alligators and other animal friends. The young reader is drawn to the book by this wonderful colored pictorial cover. There are 34 beautifully illustrated full page, full color pages with just the right amount of text on each page. The illustrator of this book rendered some superb pictures. You could just look at the pictures in this book and imagine what the story is about. The reader is introduced to several French words interwoven into the story. There is a small glossary and pronunciation guide at the very beginning of the book that helps the reader pronounce and understand these French words. Another bonus to this book is that a really neat song is included inside the front and back covers and endpapers. This song is entitled - "He'll be Coming Down the River" sung to the tune of "She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain When She Comes". Kids will love to sing this song about Papa Noel and his pirogue and alligators. Another neat feature about this book is that it contains many metaphors and similes. This book could be used by teachers to teach a lesson on the use of metaphors and similes.I would heartily recommend this book as a read aloud for parents and teachers of students in first through fourth grade. The story is written with the Cajun accent and can be better appreciated if read aloud. Of course, older students will also enjoy reading it independently.

A short but definitely sweet story of Papa Noel and how he delivers through the deepest fog to make sure all the boys and girls get their Christmas toys. An enchanting look at how an American sub-culture celebrates the holiday.My only concern with the Kindle edition is the some sentences were super-imposed on each other.

This is an awesome book to add to your Christmas reading list. It’s gorgeously illustrated and just Cajun enough to get the Louisiana feel, but not so Cajun that it’s impossible to read.I really liked the twist on the classic Santa and the night be Christmas story. Definitely would recommend!

Since I am from south Louisiana I am very familiar with the accent. This book was not an authentic representation. Other books such as Cajun Night Before Christmas do a better job.

Have most if not all the cajun Christmas themed books. Fun story for kids and adults both. Very sturdy and well binded book. Lots of bright illustrated pictures.

This book makes my Louisiana cajun heart so happy. I read it once a week to my son. He loves when I talk in my cajun accent while reading this. So cute.

Everyone should buy this book to read to your kids in your best cajun accent lolI had so much fun reading it to my son, even after he fell asleep! It was a cute story, beautiful illustrations, just a very good book that every Louisiana Cajun family should have for Christmas! I shared it with all of my Facebook friends

Gift my grandchildren Christmas morning they're very excited to read it.

Great story never heard of it until watching swamp people my kids love it