MELISSA THIBAULT

from Social Eastern Shore | March 2023

Our Collective Impact

TELL US ABOUT 12 DAYS OF MARDI GRAS BOOK.

12 Days of Mardi Gras is a picture book filled with repetition, alliteration, humor, and all things Mardi Gras. Set to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas, our book is engaging and fun to read and sing. As each day of the Mardi Gras season pases, a gift is given. Gifts many of us are familiar with including majestic masks, floatsa-rollin, sparkling shoes, and custom coconuts. Readers from all ages love this book! We catch our students singing it often.

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM TO WRITE THIS BOOK?

I'm the school librarian at Woodlake and author of our book. The idea came to me while I was living in South Dakota and trying desperately to explain Mardi Gras to my students. The nonfiction text in the back of the book was written with them in mind. Nichole Dupre, the book's illustrator and local artists is the art teacher at Woodlake. Altered Art by Nichole is her business name, but for our school everyone calls her Mrs. Dupre.

Nichole Dupre

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

My name is Nichole Dupre. I am a mom, wife, teacher, and artist. I have worked in the St. Tammany school system for 26 years. Formerly as a first and third grade teacher; and now as an art teacher. I have a Master’s Degree, Reading Specialist degree, art certification, and am a National Board Certified Teacher. I began working at Woodlake Elementary School five years ago. I have enjoyed sparking the creative spirit in the students, PreK-3rd. Providing kids with the opportunity to participate in engaging art activities has been very rewarding- and dare I say, FUN! Art gives kids the chance to practice and hone many skills such as: fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and critical thinking. Watching the creative risks they take daily brings me so much joy and constantly amazes me.

HOW DID YOU AND MELISSA THIBAULT CONNECT TO WORK ON 12 DAYS OF MARDI GRAS TOGETHER?

It was at Woodlake that I met my friend Melissa Thibault, our school librarian. We immediately worked together so well as part of our school’s enrichment team. When she approached me to illustrate her book 12 Days of Mardi Gras, I was honored, but also hesitant. The world of publishing was completely new to me. Just as I encourage my students to take risks, I knew that I also had to put myself out there and try something new! I have always loved books and encouraging the love of reading in my students. Being on the business side was quite a learning experience!

It has been so exciting working with my colleague and friend on this project. The best part of this process has been seeing our book in the hands of kids and the joy that it brings. Watching families read this book together at literacy night, listening to kids sing the text aloud, and being presented with kids' OWN handmade books has been quite humbling.