Gaston® Goes to the Kentucky Derby (Gaston Series)

The story is done in rhyme, which makes it great to read aloud. The
colorful illustrations are just delightful, each covering two pages, thus giving
a powerful sense of movement to the story.
--Children�s Literature

James Rice, known foremost as the illustrative master behind Cajun
Night Before Christmas , amuses and educates children all over the
country through his works.

One of his hallmarks has been the creation of recurring characters from his
Christmas stories to his cowboy legends. But among them all no character
attracts as much attention as the bayou alligator Gaston, whose numerous
adventures introduce children to many aspects of the world around them.

This time Gaston leaves the Louisiana bayous atop a Cajun steed named Black
Lightning. Their destination is the world-famous Churchill Downs racetrack, home
of the Kentucky Derby. The first jewel of the Triple Crown, this race is seen by
millions either at the track or at home on television each year. Now through the
lovable Gaston and his antics, children get to witness this American tradition
as well.

Gaston Goes to the Kentucky Derby teaches children about the
grand festival of the Derby in Louisville and the challenges all the riders face
to make it to the most esteemed horse race in the country. Peppered with humor
and seasoned with Rice's colorful artwork, this is a delightful volume for young
and old and a must-have addition for anyone collecting Rice's books.

James Rice is widely acclaimed as the South's leading author and illustrator
of juvenile books. With more than one million copies of his books in print, he
ranks among the nation's top authors and illustrators. Rice completed his M.F.A.
at Stephen F. Austin State University. He holds degrees in art from the
University of Texas and Howard Payne College and has taught art and music at
both the high school and college levels.