Every year (except this year due to Covid), families and friends join together to build giant bonfires made of logs on top of the earthen levee along the Mississippi River in the River Parishes of Louisiana (St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Charles, as well as Ascension). Then on Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM, the bonfires are set ablaze to guide Papa Noel, the Cajun Santa Claus, as he makes his way down the river to deliver gifts to Louisiana children. Firework displays also light the sky to make the holiday event extra special.

Scott and I were invited to participate in this annual event by our friend Keri Walker Tramonte. She and the females in her family are a rare all-female bonfire builder group. We joined Keri and her family for pot-luck dinner and bonfire lighting. The experience will stay with Scott and me forever. In fact, I was so moved, that I wrote a picture book about it - Bonfires on the Levee, a Louisiana Christmas Tradition. I hope you enjoy this book trailer, and perhaps next year, you may head out to the River Parishes to enjoy the event with your family.

To celebrate this Louisiana tradition, I have created a two book gift set that celebrates Christmas Eve with the bonfires on the Mississippi River levee, and New Year’s Eve with the filling of treats in the shoes of good children by Mademoiselle Grands Doigts. But, wait, there’s more! For a limited time, this gift set comes with a free “Reading Rocks!” CD filled with readings of some of my other other books to create a bedtime story treat over two holidays! This two book set, with a free CD, is only $28 plus shipping, while supplies last. Order your gift set here!

Happy holidays from Louisiana!

-Johnette

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