Mardi Gras Reads & Beads

A Fat Tuesday Reading List for Kids.

This year’s Mardi Gras is going to be different. It’s going to include taking a driving tour on your own to see the House Floats. Eating king cake. Watching special history programs on our local PBS channel. And maybe taking a trip to Mardi Gras World. If you have children, why not go to Amazon and put some Carnival books for kids in your cart? Books can deepen your children’s understanding and appreciation of our local traditions. Here are some titles to check out.

Beads on Trees by Ginger Grabert Spedale, illustrated by Mike S. Henry

Travel down memory lane as the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras are recalled by the adorable Ruby Rose.

Dinosaur Mardi Gras by Dianne De Las Casas, illustrated by Marita Gentry

When carnival time rolls into New Orleans, these hip dinosaurs want to boogie on down.

Gaston ® Goes to Mardi Gras by James Rice

Gaston the green-nosed alligator has returned from the swamp and is taking adventurous readers on a tour of Mardi Gras.

The King Cake Baby by Keila Dawson, illustrated by Vernon Smith

The little plastic baby hidden inside a traditional Mardi Gras King Cake escapes the kitchen of an old couple in the French Quarter, runs faster than a praline lady in Jackson Square and a waiter at Café du Monde. 

Mimi’s First Mardi Gras by Anne Couvillon and Elizabeth Moore, illustrated by Marilyn Rougelot

Mimi and her parents enjoy the color and excitement of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and observe many traditional aspects of the celebration.

Timothy Hubble and the King Cake Party by Anita Prieto and Virginia Howard

When young New Orleans newcomer Timmy is invited to a king cake party by his new friend Adam, he doesn’t understand what the celebration is all about.