Soggy Like Cush Cush (a Picture Book Celebration of Creole Culture for Kids) - by Karly Pierre (Hardcover)

About the Book

A gloomy, rainy day is turned upside down when Gran-momam takes Petite Marie on an adventure through town, where they have a magical day filled with friends, delicious Louisiana creole cooking, and a lot of care and kindness.

Book Synopsis

A gloomy, rainy day is turned upside down when Gran-moman takes Petite Marie on an adventure through town. Celebrate joy, Louisiana Creole culture, community, and the love of a wonderful grandparent in this gorgeous story about making every day count.

"Conveys the big power of small actions and the bolstering effect of community." Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

"As Petite Marie moves around the town with her grandmother, their loving bond is expressed through all
their interactions." Booklist

Rain falls outside an old Louisiana Creole house until the ground is as soggy as a bowl of cush cush. Petite Marie thinks she's going to have to spend all day indoors, but Gran-moman takes Petite Marie on an unexpected journey around town. Soon, Petite Marie is having a magical day filled with friends, delicious Louisiana creole cooking, and a lot of care and kindness. With the help of Gran-moman she discovers that any day can be beautiful, no matter the weather.

Review Quotes

In Pierre's emotionally satisfying debut, which celebrates Creole culture, young Petite Marie broods during a stormy day at her grandmother's home: "I wanna do something. But the weather's terrible." Gran-moman replies, "It's jus' soggy like a bowl of cush cush.... Dere's plenty we can do." Out and about, they are greeted warmly, their time and generosity met with affectionate mutuality as they take okra and tea to a sick friend, pick up shrimp, and help pack food donations. At a final stop, Gran-moman reminds Petite Marie that "dere's always somethin' you can do," and they ride home to the sounds of zydeco just as the sun peeks out. Uroda's use of contrasting colors conveys the big power of small actions and the bolstering effect of community. Characters are portrayed with brown skin. An author's note and recipe conclude.-- "Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review"

Petite Marie is out of sorts. It's raining, and she is bored. Gran-moman doesn't lecture or sigh;
she simply models a loving example of kindness. Taking Petite Marie along, Gran-moman visits
a neighbor who has been sick, does some grocery shopping, helps out at a food drive, pays her
respects at a graveyard, and makes cush cush, a traditional dish combining cornbread, milk, and
syrup. Gran-moman's day is spent in service to others, but Petite Marie sees how sharing love
brings fulfillment to Gran-moman as well. Spirits lifted, Petite Marie feels more sunny, even on
that rainy day. Uroda's illustrations drip with the raindrops and glow with the warmth. As Petite
Marie moves around the town with her grandmother, their loving bond is expressed through all
their interactions. An author's note explains more about the Louisiana Creole setting, history, and
lifestyle and identifies Gran-moman's speech patterns as Kouri-Vini. As Petite Marie recognizes
the interconnectedness of her community, she appreciates her grandmother's affection and
gentle lessons.-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Karly Pierre grew up in the heart of the Louisiana Creole/Cajun countryside surrounded by sugarcane fields. She comes from a family of farmers and educators who instilled in her a love of nature and adventure. She is a professor in South Korea where she currently resides.

Kristen Uroda is an artist best known for her vibrant, joyful illustrations. Often softly formed yet boldly colored, her work aims to express beauty in the ordinary moments, celebrate the poetry within diverse faces and figures, and tell stories that inspire reflection and social and civic change. While her career started in editorial illustration, she has most recently moved into narrative illustration. She is currently based in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan.