Runaway Beignet, The

In the heart of New Orleans lives a baker named Marcel who makes the most delicious beignets in the entire city. While his heart is filled with kindness, his home is cold and lonely. To repay some gratitude, a mysterious stranger grants Marcel a wish with his magic bag of sugar in this Louisiana-flavored retelling of The Gingerbread Man. Out of the sugared pastry pops the beignet boy! With a penchant for trouble, he zips down Canal Street, through Jackson Square, and into the French Market. His hilarious antics and New Orleans cultural icons are scattered like powdered sugar on the deliciously re-spun story. This tale will delight readers of all ages.

Illustrator Herb Leonhard brings this little beignet to life with a mischievous grin and a sprinkle of sugar. His images of New Orleans dance across the pages, bringing a true taste of the city to the story. Author Connie Collins Morgan draws upon her memories of life in Louisiana--and her favorite treats--to make this retelling stand apart from the rest with an infectious jazz beat and the sweet aroma of magic sugar.

Connie Collins Morgan grew up with her Cajun family in Lafayette, Louisiana. The nearby bayous provided a rich environment for her imaginative mind, while her cultural upbringing provided inspiration for her fancies. Her delight in the power of words led her to a degree in elementary education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and then to an MFA in children's literature from Hollins University. It was at Hollins that she began to explore her childhood fantasies and turn them into fully developed tales. Morgan teaches in Middletown, Maryland. She and her husband live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia near their children.