Gaston

James Rice (1934-2004), known foremost as the illustrative master behind “Cajun Night Before Christmas”, amuses and educates children all over the country through his work. One of his hallmarks has been the creation of recurring characters from his Christmas stories to his cowboy legends. But among them all, no character attracts as much attention as the bayou alligator Gaston, whose numerous adventures introduce children to many aspects of the world around them. This time Gaston leaves the Louisiana bayous atop a Cajun steed named Black Lightning. Their destination is the world-famous Churchill Downs racetrack, home of the Kentucky Derby. The first jewel of the Triple Crown, this race is seen by millions either at the track or at home on television each year. Now through the lovable Gaston and his antics, children get to witness this American tradition as well. “Gaston Goes to the Kentucky Derby” teaches children about the grand festival of the Derby in Louisville and the challenges all the riders face to make it to the most esteemed horse race in the country. Peppered with humor and seasoned with Rice's colorful artwork, this is a delightful volume for young and old and a must-have addition for anyone collecting Rice's books.

The endearing hero of many other Gaston books is swept up out of his comfortable bayou lair by a hurricane and dropped in the plains of West Texas. Taken in by a group of rough-looking cowboys, Gaston begins his western adventure, one that leads him through the tribulations facing a greenhorn cowboy determined to ride broncos, tame mustangs, bulldog steers, and lasso and brand mavericks. Fetchingly decked out in his ten-gallon Stetson and cowboy boots, the unpracticed alligator learns first-hand the difficult life of a cowboy on the range, but he adapts to the challenge, winning the grudging respect of his fellow cowhands.