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C. Morrison/C. Elizabeth James, author of the "Sweet Maggie Magnolia" children’s picture book series & upcoming historical novel, "Faded Photographs," is a native of Southern California. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara Legal Assistantship and Paralegal studies, Colleen has been writing since she was in grade school. As a child and young adult, her poetry and prose won local and national awards, as well as the opportunity to work on group projects and other works. She volunteered much of her time reading and telling her stories to young children at local area schools. After a 20+ year hiatus to focus on her career and raising her family, she is re-entering the children’s author network. She is a member of SCBWI, Authors Guild, The Children’s Writer’s Guild, Non-Fiction Author’s Association and National Association of Memoir Writers. She is the recipient of a 2019 Reader’s Favorite Award, as well as the Publisher’s Best Selling Author for 2019.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Tomorrow is the Mardi Gras Parade and Grand-Mere asks Sweet Maggie Magnolia to go to sleep. She turns on Maggie's night lamp and sings her a song. Maggie pretends to be fast asleep as Grand-Mere tucks in her bears, Benjamin and Beignet, at the foot of her bed. Maggie is excited because it is her first Mardi Gras Parade. She dreams of being there, catching the colorful beads, and shouting as she drifts off to sleep. She wakes up the next day to see her bears missing from her bed. Benjamin is dancing in the bath and Beignet is trying to squeeze out of the window. Maggie follows Beignet out of the window and down Bourbon Street. She completely forgets her Grand-Mere's advice not to go out alone. Maggie finds herself surrounded by all her favorite things. Beignet gets lost. Will Maggie be able to find him? What does Mardi Gras mean?
Sweet Maggie Magnolia Goes to Mardi Gras! by Colleen Morrison takes readers to New Orleans and captures the flavor of the Mardi Gras Parade. The story is whimsical yet at the same time teaches children about culture and tradition, the importance of safety, being aware of their surroundings while they are outside, and what Mardi Gras means. The cutout Mardi Gras Mask at the end of the book is a great surprise for young readers while the glossary makes them familiar with the words that are associated with Mardi Gras. Leighann Sessum makes the magic of the story tangible with her delightful illustrations. It is a good book for parents and tutors to teach youngsters many new things, not only about Mardi Gras but also about how to be safe while they are outside.
