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Summary

Gr 1-4-Although Jean Laffite was a real figure, nothing much is known about him except that he was a pirate who preyed on the ships coming into New Orleans in the early 1800s, and that he fought heroically with the young United States against the British during the War of 1812. This tall tale recounts how he saves the Mississippi River and gains a huge friend. It tells how he himself was rescued by the river fishermen near New Orleans when he was a baby, and swam all the way to Minnesota and floated back when he was seven. But when Jean is 16, the river mysteriously dries up overnight, and he uses a little bit of cayenne pepper to solve a whale of a problem. This rollicking good yarn is brought to life with Cook's warm, glowing oil paintings full of action and humor. The story will be enjoyed as a read-aloud, as a shared one-on-one experience, or as part of a storyteller's repertoire. An excellent addition to any collection, particularly those specializing in Louisiana lore.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.