King Cake for Cassius

About the Book

Children will learn the meaning of Mardi Gras as told by Cassius, an adorable boxer, who loves Mardi Gras. The book begins with children discussing what they're going to "be" for Mardi Gras. Cassius overhears that one of the children is unaware of the Mardi Gras tradition. She then explains that carnival season begins with the epiphany (Jan. 6 when the three wise men found baby Jesus) and ends with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). The dog also explains many of the traditions and terns associated with Mardi Gras including King Cake parties, parades, krewes and doubloons. She shares the name of her favorite parade which happens to be a dog parade named the Krewe of Barkus. The story concludes with Cassius stating that she's going to be a wizard for Mardi Gras this year and asking "what are you going to be for Mardi Gras?". The book also contains a list of activities that children can do to celebrate Mardi Gras including a recipe for King Cake, instructions on how to make a shoe box float and how to have a mini-parade.

About the Author

It was only after moving to the DC area that Diane Renton Boyle realized that Mardi Gras was not a national holiday. Having been surrounded by the New Orleans' tradition most of her life, the author wrote King Cake for Cassius so that other children (and adults) could learn of and appreciate carnival traditions. The book is dedicated to her father who understood that Mardi Gras is a state of mind not just a day.

Diane Currently lives in Arlington, VA with her husband Peter, their sons Connor and Justin, and Cassius who still enjoys a good King Cake party.