Kat Pigott’s new book, Rougarou Stew, is out just in time and just scary enough for Halloween. Down in Acadiana, kids know about the monster Rougarou that will eat you and your friends if you don’t eat him first. In this version, a group of them set out to capture their enemy with directions and a recipe for his favorite Rougarou Stew. Their plan takes an unexpected sideways turn that leaves a question of who is the trickster and who got tricked.
Back matter includes some information from the author about her personal knowledge of the Rougarou and a warning about the swamplands and the stew. Just in case the Rougarou is in your neighborhood, she gives the recipe for his favorite stew so you can entice and capture him. She adds important information about who is most in danger and how to evade his spell.
From the title page to the author’s note at the end, Mason Sibley’s illustrations add humor and interest and bring the Rougarou to life. This third author/illustrator picture book collaboration between Pigott and Sibley began with two dinosaur books when Mason was still in high school where he won the Congressional Art Competition with his work displayed in the US Capitol.
Since the book is perfect for intergenerational sharing with a read-aloud, I suggest that if you don’t have a child or grandchild or other small relative nearby, you should go out and rent a kid or borrow one. You don’t want to miss the fun!