D. J. and the Zulu Parade - Hardcover

by Denise McConduit (Author)

A New Orleans boy has an opportunity to ride on a Mardi Gras float--but will fear and worry rain on his parade?

D.J. can't believe his luck--he has the chance to dress up and ride in a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade! But while he looks forward to participating in the popular Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, dressed as a page to the queen of Zulus, he starts to worry. What will his costume be? What about the makeup he'll have to wear? What if he falls off the float?

Like any child thrown into a new situation, young D.J. finds that it can be quite overwhelming. This book answers many questions children have about the customs and traditions of their own heritage in a way they can understand and relate to--and helps them recognize their own fears and worries in D.J.'s story.

Based on the experiences of Denise McConduit's son, who actually rode in the Zulu Parade, this tale of coping with anxiety and embarking on adventure is both entertaining and inspirational, and is filled with the celebratory spirit of Mardi Gras.

Author Biography

A New Orleans native, Denise McConduit was born to a very large family. The fourth of thirteen children, she regularly entertained her younger siblings with stories. Early on, she learned that she loved reading and drawing, art and dancing, and-not surprisingly-writing. McConduit began writing poetry as a child. Her first magazine article was published in 1982, when she wrote Youth Job Opportunities for Black New Orleans magazine. She has since had articles published in Essence magazine and poems published in the New Orleans Tribune magazine. Two of her poems are on display in the New Orleans Riverwalk's Book of Legends. McConduit still keeps active in the poetry world and serves as secretary for the board of directors of the New Orleans Poetry Forum. She writes a weekly column for the New Orleans Times-Picayune about the recovery of her neighborhood after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. McConduit graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in English. She has four children: Crishelle, Monique, Erika, and D.J. It was her youngest child's real-life experience with the Zulu parade that gave her the idea to write her first book, D.J. and the Zulu Parade. Preserving cultural traditions through family stories is important to McConduit. She learned those values as a child, and it is what she wishes to pass on in her writing. New Orleans is well known for having a rich supply of customs and traditions, and McConduit captures the city's flavor and puts it in context for children. She feels that culturally rich children's books are essential, as it is important that kids see themselves in literature. McConduit advises aspiring young authors to capture and preserve the funny or unique characters in their families by writing about them. She is a frequent speaker and is involved in community efforts to preserve and celebrate the region's rich heritage.