This image is the cover for the book D. J. and the Zulu Parade, The D. J. Series

D. J. and the Zulu Parade, The D. J. Series

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.

Denise Walter McConduit, Emile Henriquez

Denise Walter McConduit comes from a family of thirteen children and is a New Orleans native and mother of four. Her work has appeared in Essence, Black New Orleans, and the New Orleans Tribune. Currently, she serves on the advisory board of the Friends of New Orleans Public Library and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. The character of D.J. is based on her own son and headlines her previous two titles with Pelican: D.J. and the Zulu Parade and D.J. and the Debutante Ball.
  Emile F. Henriquez is currently design coordinator at Textron Marine and Land Systems. He studied drawing, painting, design, and art history at Tulane University and has worked as a graphic illustrator since 1963. He also collaborated with Ms. McConduit on the previous two D.J. titles.
 

Pelican Publishing