A version in Cajun dialect of the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas," set in a Louisiana bayou.

In this narrative poem told in Cajun dialect, Pierre the alligator is left behind in the bayou after helping Santa pull his skiff on Christmas Eve. 31 color illustrations.

Around the world Santa Claus has many names. But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, he's known as Papa Noël. In such a hot and humid place, there can be no sleds or reindeer, so Papa Noël rides the river in a boat that's pulled by eight alligators, with a snowy white one named Nicollette in the lead. On this particular Christmas Eve, it's so foggy on the river that even Nicollette's magical glowing-green eyes may not be enough to guide Papa Noël. The alligators are tired, grumpy and bruised from banging into cypress trees, and Papa is desperate to get all the gifts to the little children. Well, "quicker than a snake shimmies down the river," the clever Cajun people come up with a solution that saves the day. A colorfully inventive Christmas tale, Papa Noël is a lesson in fast thinking, as well as a witty introduction to a part of America that's rich in folklore and legend.

Paul writes a letter home each of the twelve days he spends exploring Louisiana at Christmastime, as his cousin Rosalie shows him everything from a pelican in a cypress tree to twelve sparkly strands of Mardi Gras beads. Includes facts about Louisiana.

For: Harry Russell Sr.

"'Twas the night before Christmas . . ." and Texas is ready and waiting for old Santy to appear. You may know the story, but you've never heard it like this before. Based on Clement C. Moore's poem, Texas Night Before Christmas is filled with images of the Lone Star State, whimsical illustrations, and playful text. It's an icy Christmas Eve as this Texas family prepares for Santy's visit. A great ruckus arouses Pa, and he spies Santy himself in full Western garb: rawhide suit, Stetson, and cowboy boots. He fills the young'uns' waiting boots, then warms himself a while before leaving for his next stop. As Ma and Pa lose sight of him in the fog, Santy calls out, "Merry Christmas, y'heah? And y'all have a good night!"

In this version of the famous poem, Santy pays an Ozark family a visit on Christmas Eve with his pet raccoon and gifts of musical instruments for a fine backwoods jig.