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Gumbo! In the Land of Cultural Fusion

by Manuel Cordero and Lydia LaBouliere

29 pages; Saddle stitched; contains colour illustrations; catalogue #06-1671; ISBN 1-4120-9914-5; US$14.61, C$16.80, EUR12.00, £8.40

Join Cheramie, a pint-sized jazz prodigy and his Krewe as they cook up a spicy fusion of food and music. Discover unconditional friendship in the cultural Gumbo of New Orleans.

Explore a matchless world set in the rich, diverse, cultural, "gumbo," of New Orleans. Cheramie, whose name is the very essence of friendship, is a pint-sized jazz prodigy whose musical discovery opens the eyes and hearts of all who encounter him.

His adventures are "stirred" by his Mother's need for unique culinary ingredients. On his errands to the grocery store he is accompanied by his "Krewe" of random friends. The odd appearance of this unique ensemble only heightens the interest of anyone they meet.

The universal language of food and music reveal a world of discovery for the Gumbo Krewe as they stumble upon musicians, chefs, and friends from place even THEY never knew existed!

Their journey through the Quarter culminates in an impromptu jam session in the middle of Jackson Square where everybody joins in the celebration! Led by "Prof," Cheramie's mentor, these peculiar friends combine to make a mind-blowing jazz quartet!

The Gumbo Krewe's acceptance and invitation to all reminds us of unconditional camaraderie, and child-like faith. The little touches each character brings to the table, or to the stage, adds just the right spice to the distinctive flavor or sound of the experience!

Lydia Gabriella LaBouliere is a Writer/Director who hails from a Louisiana Military family. Her "New Orleans Lady", Mother went to great lengths wherever in the world they were currently stationed, to keep the family's rich Cajun heritage paramount in their lives. Ms. LaBouliere's writing tutelage began when she mentored under Digby Wolfe, Co-Creater and Head Writer of TV's Laugh-In, at The University of New Mexico. Her senior year in college, Ms. LaBouliere went on to win the Very Special Arts National Playwriting Award for her play Lagniappe, which premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The month Lagniappe opened she began her training as a Show Director and Writer for Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, and six months later was trained as a Walt Disney Imagineering Show Writer and Performance Director. She has since collaborated with multiple other entertainment companies including Nickelodeon, and Universal Studios. In her spare time Ms. LaBouliere idulges her other passions for sketch comedy writing, cooking incredibly fattening food, songwriting, learning French, and perfecting the Woody Woodpecker laugh.

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