Lu and the Swamp Ghost [With CD]

by James Carville and Patricia C. McKissack

Book Overview

When I was a little boy, my favorite stories where the ones Mama told about the adventures she had growing up....Now that I have two little girls of my own, I want to share one of my mama's stories with them, and with you. And so,approche....-- James CarvilleMama always said, "You're never poor if you have a loving family and one good friend." Well, Lu has a family but no friend -- so maybe she is just alittlepoor. How all changes one day down on...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689865600
• ISBN13: 9780689865602
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 11.3" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

QUITE WELL DONE!

What a well done little book. This is a story of a little girl, during the Great Depression, who lives on a farm with her family and figures she is "just a little poor." This is a story of friendship and strength and simply helping others that need help. The illustrations by David Catrow are very well executed and a delight to the eye. They also go perfectly with the text which is nice when reading to a group of young ones. There are several lessons to be learned from this tale, all good ones. I have read this to several classes of children at school and it quite holds their attention and is very useful in helping to open up discussions. THe kids all seem to like it, and often times ask for a seconed reading. This is probably the best indorsement a children's book can have. All in all, there is not much to not like about this book and I do recommend it highly.

A CLASSIC BOOK IN THE MAKING

My son is only 2 1/2 but sits still for this story aimed at 4 -6 year olds. He just likes the story and the art. And wonderfully imaginative art it is by David Catrow. It's written by James Carville...yes THAT James Carville. KNown most for being a former advisor to President Clinton, Carville grew up in the swamplands of Louisiana and writes a captivating children's tale of the mysterious bayou country. Lu is a poor little girl who has no friends her age. One day she encounters the legendary swamp ghost of whom tales have become legend in her neck of the woods. But all is not what it seems with this "ghost" and soon Lu finds a true friend as Carville teaches a well thought out lesson about impressions we have about people. Nicely done and the fact that it's about a "ghost" really intrigued my little one. Lu and the Swamp Ghost is a wonderful book that should be read to kids of almost any age and a sure to be classic.

A Delightful New Tale About Friendship

Young Lu has always been told that as long as you have wonderful friends and family, you're never actually poor. But Lu, who has a great family, knows that she must be a little poor, for she doesn't actually have any friends. However, all that changes one day while Lu is taking a stroll along the Louisiana bayou, for she comes face-to-face with a real, live swamp ghost, who ultimately becomes her one true friend. Taking place during the Great Depression, James Carville has created a wonderful story that will show even the youngest reader that friends and family are more important than material items. Filled with super-adorable illustrations by David Catrow, LU AND THE SWAMP GHOST is sure to earn a place in the hearts of readers the world over. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

You are very rich if you have one good friend.

I enjoyed Patricia Mckissack & James Carville's lovely story set in the Lousiana Depression-era about a little girl hearing lots of talk about hardtimes with people out of work, no jobs and about her adventures in the swamp meeting up with a real swamp ghost, or so it seems at first. Little Lu shows her big caring heart when she be friends the ghost only to find out he's a little orphan boy. It is here we see her joy in finding one good friend and feeling mighty rich from it. David Catrow has out done himself again with his fabulously fun illustrations. This book also comes with a CD read by James Carville giving the listener a good flavor of that Lousiana drawl. A great story about family and friends.

Fantastic

I read the book to my son and he loved it. I think Paula should read the book before she reviews it. Unfortunately Paula hasn't taught her child the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover". Maybe Paula should see if the FOX News Channel will let her fill in for Bill O'Reilly when he reviews a book. There is one book I think her child will love its called "My Pet Goat".