cover image Goodnight Acadiana

Goodnight Acadiana

Lesley Crawford Costner, illus. by Camille Barnes. Ampersand (www.Goodnight Acadiana.com), $16.95 (24p) ISBN 978-1-4507-9590-6

Selected to represent Louisiana at the 2012 National Book Festival, this picture book pays tribute to Acadiana, a section of southern Louisiana steeped in Cajun history and culture. The narrative employs the well-worn device of bidding goodnight to various objects, which include Acadiana%E2%80%99s waterways, wildlife, architectural landmarks, museums, and%E2%80%94most predominantly%E2%80%94food. A glossary provides capsule information on the specific locations cited in the text, as well as translations of the French and Cajun French terms that give the verse local flavor. Costner%E2%80%99s rhymes and rhythms are largely on track, though they occasionally falter: %E2%80%9CGoodnight Children%E2%80%99s Museum. Goodnight Planetarium./ Goodnight les enfants. Tomorrow you%E2%80%99ll learn, play and run.%E2%80%9D Barnes offers a mix of playful images%E2%80%94posed next to spice jars, a crawfish waves at readers; children sprint through a museum%E2%80%94and gauzy vistas featuring lovely sunsets. This pleasing combination of graphics helps underscore Acadiana%E2%80%99s vitality and natural beauty. The collaborators provide an upbeat and effusive paean to a rich area of their home state. Ages 3%E2%80%936.