"D.J.'s rough-and-tumble character contrasts entertainingly with the formal situation in which he finds himself. Young readers will sympathize with his resistance to becoming more civilized and they may pick up some tips about manners along the way."
— New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Here is a delightful little book that helps us understand the Mardi Gras mystique and gives us another chapter in D.J.'s adventurous life."
— Columbus (Miss.) Commercial Dispatch

At D.J.'s grandfather's birthday dinner, an announcement is made. D.J. learns that his sister will be the queen of the debutante ball and that he will be a page. He soon discovers that being involved in a debutante ball is a lot of work and includes learning how to be a gentleman.

After one day there, D.J. and his cousin Alex prove to be washouts at the Maison de Etiquette School. However, Grandfather saves the day when he invites D.J. and Alex for a weekend away to learn about manners. Instead of being a chore, learning how to be a gentleman becomes an adventure for D.J. and his cousin.

D.J. and the Debutante Ball is a great book for all those little boys who love being boys and think that manners are just for girls. Sometimes, even little boys have to be gentlemen, as D.J. discovers, and this book makes learning etiquette fun.

"D.J. reluctantly agrees to go to his first Jazz Fest with his relatives, only to discover an unexpected world of culture and music."
— Midwest Book Review

"We go with him and are in for a truly invigorating experience."
— Children's Literature

"A book that is a celebration of a city and its music as well as a celebration of family."
— Multicultural Review

"A wonderful children's book to have in any elementary school or public library."
— Louisiana Library Association Bulletin

Where in the world can children hear jazz, gospel, blues, and Cajun music? Where can they eat foods like shrimp po' boys and strawberry snowballs? Where can they buy handmade crafts and see performances of all kinds by people of all ages? They can do all of this and more only at Jazz Fest in New Orleans!

D.J. reluctantly agrees to go to his first Jazz Fest with his mother and her godmother, Nanan. Looking cool in his favorite baseball cap and new sunglasses, D.J. first notices the large crowd of people and the huge tents everywhere that hold the stages for the performers.

At the Children's Tent, girls perform an Oriental dance and a boy D.J.'s size breaks boards with his foot! D.J. meets his cousin, Jonathan, in the Children's Tent, and they go on to have a great day filled with food, music, and crafts. As D.J. would say himself, "It was a great Jazz Fest weekend indeed!"

"Mardi Gras is coming and for the first time, young D. J. is going to be a page for the queen of Zulu, the oldest black parade in the New Orleans Mardi Gras. With his beads, costume, and even that dreaded makeup he despises so much, he is prepared to serve his queen as one of the stars of the parade."
— Pelican Publishing Co.

"This is a lovely book about the history and traditions of a New Orleans tradition. It will appeal to young and old, black and white, especially now after Katrina when New Orleans people are trying so hard to hang on to what is left of their former lives and traditions."
— Kathleen D., Slidell, LA

Every child loves the fun and excitement of wearing costumes and pretending. Now imagine if you got the chance to dress up and ride in a Mardi Gras parade. That is exactly what happens to the main character in D.J. and the Zulu Parade. Yet riding on the popular Zulu parade on Fat Tuesday, dressed as a page to the queen of Zulus, he finds that along with the thrills comes some concerns. Like any child thrown into a new situation, young D.J. finds that it can be quite overwhelming. D.J has to cope with his fears of falling off the float, of what his costume will be, and about the make-up he will have to wear.

This book answers many questions children have about the customs and traditions of their own heritage, and it does so in a way children can understand and relate to. They can see their own fears and worries in D.J.'s view of the experience. The appeal of the book is to both the children of New Orleans who experience Mardi Gras every year, and children in general. The message of the book and the mystery of the traditions of New Orleans have a universal appeal.

A book for children aged five to eight, D.J. and the Zulu Parade is based upon the experiences of McConduit's son who actually rode in the Zulu Parade. A busy mother of four, Ms. McConduit also finds time to write poetry and participate in the New Orleans Poetry Forum.