by Brittany Mazique
Delphine Denise likes things BIG — and what's bigger than a Mardi Gras prize? Inspired by Brittany's own childhood in New Orleans, this joyful picture book celebrates friendship and the true spirit of the holiday. Named after Brittany's late mother, it's the book that launched her publishing career.
Buy on Amazon →Critical Acclaim
"Purchase where friendship stories or picture books on Mardi Gras celebrations are needed."
— School Library Journal
From Goodreads Readers
"Friendship is the greatest Prize of all in this heartwarming story."
— Andrew, Goodreads (5★)
"Mazique's text pulls readers in. They will relate to the characters."
— Pam, Goodreads (5★)
"A girl with joie de vivre, and the best diverse friends imaginable."
— Cheryl A., Goodreads
Named after Brittany's late mother, Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize is the book that launched her publishing career. After losing her mother, Brittany turned to writing as a way through grief — and created a story that celebrates everything her mother loved: big personalities, fierce friendship, and the vibrant culture of New Orleans.
With joyful illustrations by Sawyer Cloud, this picture book is a celebration of Mardi Gras traditions and the discovery that the best prizes aren't always the ones you set out to win. If your child loves Delphine Denise, they'll love Millie Magnus — Brittany's chapter book series about another unforgettable girl with big dreams.
At its heart, Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize is a story about friendship. Delphine Denise likes things BIG, and she sets her sights on the biggest Mardi Gras prize she can imagine. But as the story unfolds, she discovers that the best prizes aren't always the ones you set out to win — and that the people beside you matter more than the trophy in your hands. It's a gentle, joyful lesson young readers can carry into their own friendships.
The book also celebrates the culture and traditions of Mardi Gras and New Orleans, the city of Brittany's own childhood. Children meet the color, music, and community of the holiday through a story rooted in a real place and a real love for it. For many young readers, it's a warm first window into a celebration they may never have seen up close.
And because Delphine Denise is a big-hearted, big-dreaming Black girl at the center of her own joyful story, the book gives children a chance to see a confident, fun-loving heroine leading the way — a celebration of personality, friendship, and the spirit of the holiday all at once.
Parents and teachers will appreciate a picture book that pairs a lively, read-aloud-friendly story with a quiet lesson about friendship and what really matters. School Library Journal recommends it "where friendship stories or picture books on Mardi Gras celebrations are needed" — making it a natural fit for classroom libraries, holiday units on Mardi Gras, and home bookshelves alike.
Sawyer Cloud's joyful illustrations bring the energy of Mardi Gras to the page, and the diverse cast of friends gives every child someone to relate to. For educators building a more inclusive collection, Delphine Denise offers a Black girl protagonist leading a celebration of culture, community, and kindness.
Use these open-ended questions to spark conversation after reading together at home or in the classroom:
Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize is written for ages 4 to 8 — a sweet spot that spans pre-K through early elementary. It works beautifully as a bedtime read-aloud for younger children and as a shared classroom story for early readers. When kids are ready to graduate from picture books into their first chapter books, Brittany's Millie Magnus series (ages 5 to 8) is the natural next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ages 4 to 8. It is a hardcover picture book ideal for read-aloud at home, in the classroom, and during Mardi Gras season. For readers ready to move from picture books into their first chapter books, the Millie Magnus series (ages 5 to 8) by the same author is a natural next step.
Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize was written by Brittany Mazique and illustrated by Sawyer Cloud, and published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2022. It was the book that launched Brittany's publishing career.
Delphine Denise likes things BIG — and what's bigger than a Mardi Gras prize? Inspired by Brittany Mazique's own childhood in New Orleans, this joyful picture book celebrates friendship, Mardi Gras traditions, and the discovery that the best prizes aren't always the ones you set out to win.
Yes. With its big-hearted main character, lively Mardi Gras setting, and joyful illustrations by Sawyer Cloud, the book is a natural fit for read-aloud at home or in the classroom. School Library Journal recommends it where friendship stories or picture books on Mardi Gras celebrations are needed.
If your child loves Delphine Denise, they'll love the Millie Magnus series — Brittany Mazique's original chapter books for ages 5 to 8 about another unforgettable girl with big dreams. The series begins with Millie Magnus Won't Be Bullied and is a natural next step for readers graduating from picture books.
About the Author
Brittany Mazique is a children's book author who has written for Disney (Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tiana, Snow White) and created the acclaimed Millie Magnus chapter book series. She lives outside Washington, D.C. with her husband Edward and daughters Millie and Margaux.
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