TODAY IS MONDAY IN LOUISIANA

Red beans, po' boys, gumbo, jambalaya, catfish, crawfish, and beignets are foods most Louisianians have grown up eating, but for nonnatives and visitors, these new words and tastes are a discovery upon their arrival in New Orleans, Lafayette, Shreveport, or Baton Rouge. In Today Is Monday in Louisiana, singer/songwriter Johnette Downing adapts a longtime Louisiana song for everyone's enrichment. Now, kids all over the country can "come and eat it up!"

Told with delicious repetition, this chronological culinary journey takes readers through the days of the week, as one Louisiana dish after another is served up. Monday, it's red beans, Tuesday it's po' boys, Wednesday it's gumbo, and on it goes through Sunday, when New Orleans' favorite breakfast treat, beignets, are enjoyed with a warm cup of caf? au lait. The glossary at the end of the book explains the origins and ingredients of the dishes and includes even more new words like "okra," "sassafras," and "lagniappe." A recipe for red beans and rice is included, encouraging readers to begin their week the Louisiana way!