D. J. and the Zulu Parade

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.