School Library Journal Review
| PreS-Gr 3-Downing has adapted a traditional song and based it on Louisiana towns. In each verse, the aunt comes back from a different place with a representative gift- a sweet beignet from the Vieux Carre; a fiddle from Cajun country, and so on, ending with, "My aunt came back from Louisiane/and she's going back as soon as she can." The adapter-illustrator has created simple, colorful collages. A glossary offers brief explanations for some of the gifts, an outline map shows approximate areas referred to in the text, and the song and music are included. Children, especially Louisianans, will have fun looking at the illustrations while they sing along.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
Kirkus Review
| Acclaimed children's musician Downing adapts and illustrates the traditional folk song "My Aunt Came Back," giving it her signature Louisiana twist. In this version, the aunt brings back red beans from New Orleans, a French baguette from Lafayette, some crawfish stew from 'ti Mamou, a violin from Evangeline and more. Readers will become familiar with the names of various places in Louisiana as well as the foods and musical instruments those places are famous for. However, one might do better to pick up one of her infectious music CDs, such as From the Gumbo Pot, to learn about Louisiana culture from the musician at her very best. While this particular offering may well be a delightful song, the lyrics don't read well on their own, and the collage-style illustrations, which consist of large, mostly unappealing images of food, are over-simple in style and humdrum in color. The "Word Map"a description of the places referenced in the text and instructions on how to pronounce themand the sheet music are useful additions. (Picture book/folk song. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. |
