Mardi Gras demonstrates history and guide to all different parts of this wonderful time of the year. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday which is always the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. While Mardi Gras is actually only one day, the period from 12th night until Midnight on Mardi Gras is known as Carnival. Mardi Gras has its roots in religious beliefs and festivals, the lengthy and expensive preparations, the balls, prince and princesses, kings and queens, costumes, the "throws", the parades, marching bands(rhythms and musicians), beautiful floats and even the clean up crew afterward. ( )

In "Mardi Gras!" by Suzanne M. Coil the author focuses on the holiday of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The author has photographs taken by Mitchel Osborne of the holiday activities verses having pictures painted or drawn. The book contains information not only about the long history of the holiday but also about the floats, costumes, parades, balls, krewes, and Mardi Gras Indians. It gives very detailed accounts of each these topics through the multiple chapters. It is a lengthy book for early childhood students. Also it is not a very scholarly text because of the lack of resources in the book. ( )