Cajun Night Before Christmas

When we first read the Cajun Night Before Christmas in the late 1970's we fell in love with it and the next Christmas, my sister gave us a copy as a Christmas present. Since then I have been reading it to my library classes and my nieces and nephews. Since I was raised in north Louisiana where French speaking people are scarce, I'm not bilingual, but I discovered that my half French background aided me in speaking with many different accents. If you've ever been around Cajuns, then reading the Cajun night before Christmas is fun. All you have to do is say the words the way they are written and think of Justin Wilson.

The Cajun or Acadian culture is rich with folklore. Even though James Rice was born a Texan, he was a Louisianian in his heart and he has provided us with so many glorious, entertaining books that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

The Cajun Night Before Christmas and his other "Night Before Christmas" books should be included in all teaching units about Christmas customs. Other Night Before Christmas books that were illustrated by James Rice are included in the featured and listed books below.

James Rice died of a heart attack in his home on Sunday, May 30, 2004. Mr. Rice was one of the South's leading illustrators of childrens books, with more than one-and-a-half million books in print, making him one of the top childrens' authors and illustrators nationally.

James Rice was born February 10, 1934 on a farm in Coleman County, Texas. Of his early interest in art, Mr. Rice said "I was raised in a rural background with no radio or television, so I had to rely on books and imagination for my entertainment. My heroes were the great pen and ink artists of the nineteenth century: Abby, Frost, Kemble, N.C. Wyeth, of course, Norman Rockwell, Remington, and Nicolades."

In 2003, Pelican Publishing celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of James Rice's classic Cajun Night Before Christmas. Cajun Night Before Christmas was a true collaboration between publisher Milburn Calhoun and Mr. Rice, who was then a professor of art at a local college. Mr. Rice visited the fledgling company on his motorcycle with a portfolio and Dr. Calhoun shared his idea for the book. One week later Mr. Rice returned with drawings of hundreds of alligators in all kinds of poses. Cajun Night Before Christmas was the beginning of the childrens book division and launched a close publishing relationship that endured for more than thirty years. At the time of his death, Mr. Rice was working on illustrations for a book he wrote, titled Santa's Revenge in which Santa gets back at him for getting him into all kinds of situations.

Several years ago, when the Children's Book Council asked Mr. Rice his thoughts on illustrating a classic - how he brought new life to an old tale: "The author (and illustrator) have to strike a chord in harmony with many ordinary people across time. Most successful authors/illustrators must become actors as they assume the roles of various characters in their stories. As for myself, I look at each project as a new challenge."

Cajun Night Before Christmas was also the beginning of Mr. Rice's The Night Before Christmas Series, which now numbers eighteen titles.

Mr. Rice moved to Hico, Texas in 1980. Over the years, he wrote and illustrated a number of regional children's picture books on subjects related to the states he considered home: Texas and Louisiana.

He also wrote historical fiction for young readers, and was a favorite at schools, nursing homes, and community centers in both states and across the country.

In the spring of 2004, Mr. Rice delivered two paintings commissioned by the Institute of Texas Cultures depicting René-Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle landing in Texas. One painting contains thirty-three historical errors that children visiting the museum can find, while the other is historically correct.

James Rice graduated with a bachelor of fine art from the University of Texas, a master of fine arts degree from Stephen F. Austin University and a master of arts in education from Howard Payne College. He taught art and music at both the high school and college levels, including eleven years at Southeastern Louisiana State University in Hammond, and positions at Louisiana State University and Dallas Baptist College.

An avid musician, Mr. Rice often brought his clarinet to school appearances, and enjoyed sitting in with local bands when he was on tour. As a young man, Rice traveled with the Jack Schultz Orchestra, which played big band music across the mid-west.

James Rice's work has earned several awards over the years, including

Gaston® Goes to Texas, Certificate of Award from Printer Industries of America, 1979
The Night Before Christmas, Certificate of Merit, Printer Industries of America 1990
Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On, Certificate of Merit, Printer Industries of America 1996
Cajun Night Before Christmas, Not Just for Children Anymore Classics, CBC 2002
The Teachers' Night Before Christmas, Children's Choices, CBC/IRA 2002
Why Cowboys Need A Pardner, Children's Books Mean Business, CBC 2002

(Reference: Pelican Biography)

Christmas Designs by Naturally Native Creations

Justin Wilson

is an icon for Cajun cooking and Cajun jokes. Even though he came from the Alexandria area, he developed a Cajun accent and was one of the first to spread the word about delicious Cajun food.

Cajun or not, anyone on your gift list would enjoy this extra large gourmet gift basket.

Gourmet Basket Extra Large - $ 90.00
Bag Plockys Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Leibniz Butter Cookies, Golden Walnut Shortbread Cookies, Rademaker Chocolate Sticks, Contreau Cookies, Macys Cheesesticks, Crunchy Snack Pretzel Mix, Golden Walnut Cookies, Koppers Chocolates, Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares Substitutions - Unforeseen conditions may effect our suppliers. Therefore, substitutions of an item, or items of equal or greater value may be necessary. But rest assured, quality is never compromised. Please do not combine this item with other items in our catalog.

James Rice illustrated many other "Night Before Christmas" Books. Here are a few examples.