The sights, sounds and tastes of vibrant Saint Lucia come to life in this cumulative tale of a girl’s journey to Carnival. When a series of unexpected delays disrupts her journey to the big parade, Melba must adjust both her expectations and her route to the festivities. Who will she meet and what will she learn along the way?
Key Selling Points:
SAINT LUCIAN AUTHOR: The book is set in the critically acclaimed author’s homeland of Saint Lucia.
CULTURAL AWARENESS: Readers are immersed in the day-to-day life of Saint Lucia as they learn about the foods, animals, modes of transport and more on the island.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: The main character learns to manage anxiety and handle disappointment as people she meets help her find creative solutions to problems.
EDUCATIONAL ENDNOTES: Endnotes include a pronunciation guide and provide information about the Creole language, Carnival and ways of life in Saint Lucia.
SPANISH AND FRENCH EDITIONS: The book is also available in Spanish and French.
More Details
Product Dimensions:8.50 x 10.75 inches
Page Count:32 pages
Age Range:Ages 4-10 years
Awards & Accolades
NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorite, Children’s Fiction, 2021
Best Picture Books of the Year, Kirkus Reviews, 2021
★ ‘‘A must-have picture book that educates while it thoroughly entertains’’ – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Young readers are transported to the Caribbean in this introduction to its culture and wildlife . . . Paul and Glatt’s characters sparkle on the page as they add to their group of friends and realize that they, too, can shine in their own parade” – Booklist
“Imagine a celebration that lasts for 2 ½ months. You don’t have to if you have this book” – Betsy Bird, Librarian, @FuseEight
“The vibrant rainbow of Carnival is reflected in illustrations that marry digital art with childlike drawings, and a section at the back educates children on the culture of Saint Lucia and the history of Carnival” – Foreword Reviews
“Glatt’s folk-art-style paintings complement this story rooted in the cultural life of a community, and the festive spirit of Carnival comes through vividly in the cacophonously colorful palette . . . Baptiste’s winsome tale provides an accessible introduction to an important cultural tradition” – The Horn Book Magazine
About the Contributors
Written by - Baptiste Paul
Baptiste Paul grew up in Saint Lucia, where at age seven he propagated a root cutting that still produces breadfruit for his family. He holds an Environmental Science degree and is the author of The Field, which received multiple starred reviews. He is also the co-author of I Am Farmer, with Miranda Paul.
Illustrated by - Jana Glatt
Jana Glatt's fascination with creating character, costumes and scenarios began in her childhood theater classes. Today, she feels like a director of a great scene when she is creating her illustrations. Jana has illustrated more than twenty books and has been seen all over the world. She lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
#MulticulturalBookDay
January 28, 2022
I received To Carnival! A Celebration in Saint Lucia by Baptiste Paul for Multicultural Children's Book Day 2022. It was a gift in exchange for my honest review.
This book tells the story of a little girl called Melba. She was excited to go to one of the most important festivities in Saint Lucia: Carnival!
On her way to the parade, Melba was in contact with aspects of the culture, fauna, food, and how people live on the island. The use of Creole shows Baptiste's pride and understanding of Saint Lucia's culture and language. Words like "Bonswè" (good night), "Manjé Eat!" or Soca, music that is a mix of reggae and calypso, are some of the linguistic elements that enrich the story. Even if you do not know a word, the context helps you infer the meaning, or you can corroborate your guessing in the last pages, where you can find a glossary.
Together with the colorful illustrations of Janna Glatt, the story developed a cohesive sense of the Caribbean environment. My 6 years old and I enjoyed the story; we learned new words and discovered a new culture!
#ReadYourWorld
ByVanessa,
Posted on
To Carnival! A Celebration in Saint Lucia
Rating
100%
This vibrant and powerful story is a must read! It incorporates the wildlife, culture, and language in St. Lucia. The book is both educational and engaging for readers. The characters, plot, and illustrations draw in the reader while showcasing Carnival. The repetition of “To Carnival” will stick with younger readers and all readers will enjoy the rhythm of the story. The book includes pages at the end that provide Creole pronunciations, and facts about Saint Lucia, Carnival, and more. I highly recommend this book!
ByKasey Short ,
Posted on
To Carnival! A Celebration in Santa Lucia
Rating
100%
From a Vermont winter in deep freeze to the warmth of the Caribbean, this engaging tale transported me to beautiful Santa Lucia. Baptiste Paul's To Carnival! tells the tale of Melba's adventures as she makes her way to carnival. Jana Glatt's illustrations saturate each page with color and texture. The natural world is featured in the form of birds, lizards, lush plants and towering palm trees. This is a beautiful book that includes a handy Creole pronunciation and glossary as well as various points of information about Santa Lucia.
