Songs in the Shade of the Flamboyant Tree

Overview

Through colorful tunes and splashy illustrations reminiscent of the vibrant flamboyant tree, this collection celebrates life’s passages and various island rituals in the tropical isles of Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, and Reunion. Lyrics are reproduced in the original French Creole dialects and translated into English, followed by notes on the origin and cultural context of each song. The accompanying CD features 30 traditional songs recorded with indigenous acoustic instruments and exquisitely performed by women, men, and children. This uplifting, enchanting production captures the joie de vivre evoked in the original repertoire, making it an absolute delight to musical ears.

Reviews

"A sense of joy radiates from both the book and the accompanying musical performances." —Publishers Weekly (July 2, 2012)

"The outstanding vocal and instrumental performers hail from Haiti, Guadaloupe, Martinique, and Reunion Island. . . . An excellent introduction to these cultures' traditions." —School Library Journal (September 2012)

Author Biography

Chantal Grosléziat is a musician and an educator who has spent more than 30 years exploring the effect of music on children. She is the author of several books, including Songs from the Baobab, the series Bébés chasseurs des sons (Babies Are Sound Hunters), and the award-winning book and CD collection Contes et berceuses (Stories and Lullabies). Paul Mindy is a percussionist, a singer, a composer, and an arranger who received the Georges Brassens Prize in recognition of his Brazilian music. He has accompanied noted musicians such as Richard Galliano, Carlo Rizzo, and Baden Powell. Laurent Corvaisier is a painter, an illustrator, and an instructor at the École Nationale Supérieur des Arts Décoratifs in France. He has illustrated more than 100 children's books, including Gollo and the Lyon, which have been translated into several languages.