Finds

Finds 10.06.10

DOG DAYS
A Pulitzer finalist at The Miami Herald and former Wall Street Journal editor, Ken Wells has drawn widespread acclaim for his trilogy of novels for young readers about Meely LaBauve, a Huck Finn-like Cajun boy whose (mis)adventures in south Louisiana's bayou country were drawn from Well's experiences growing up in Terrebonne Parish. In Rascal: A Dog and His Boy ($16.99, Knopf), Wells turns the tables on Meely, presenting a splash-and-dash tale told from the perspective of Meely's beagle.

DOG DAYS
A Pulitzer finalist at The Miami Herald and former Wall Street Journal editor, Ken Wells has drawn widespread acclaim for his trilogy of novels for young readers about Meely LaBauve, a Huck Finn-like Cajun boy whose (mis)adventures in south Louisiana's bayou country were drawn from Well's experiences growing up in Terrebonne Parish. In Rascal: A Dog and His Boy ($16.99, Knopf), Wells turns the tables on Meely, presenting a splash-and-dash tale told from the perspective of Meely's beagle. In this latest iteration of Meely's adventurous life, Rascal channels his inner Lassie to save his young master from a dangerous scrape deep in the swamp. Like the Meely trilogy, Rascal features a glossary of Cajun terms and expressions to help non-Louisiana readers appreciate the linguistic nuances in the book. With illustrations by former Disney animator Christian Slade and cover art by George Rodrigue, Rascal: A Dog and His Boy is a humorous, sincere tale of Cajun pluck that moves like a water moccasin and pays off like a slot machine. - Walter Pierce

DISSOLVING CHAOS
From woodsy scents like Passionate Patchouli to refreshing spearmint to relaxing lavender oatmeal, Water Oak Farms' line of CAOS soaps, sprays and oils naturally soothe your body and your soul. For 12 years, the Gautreau family-owned line has materialized from natural ingredients like spring water, coconut oil, sweet olive oil and essential oils. The soap line is made with an extra-virgin olive oil base to draw moisture to the skin. Parts of the line are available at F. Camalo and Esplanade Fine Antiques in the Oil Center and Karma Boutique in Grand Coteau. The full line is available on Water Oak Farm's website, www.wateroakfarmsinc.com, $9-$14.50 - Hope Rurik

TREME TRACK
If you know what it means to miss Treme while waiting for the second year of the HBO series that begins next spring, you could ease your longing with the first season soundtrack, Treme: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 1, just released on iTunes. Videos featuring musical performances by artists appearing in the series are available for digital download. The videos feature complete performances from various episodes as well as a few outtakes that didn't make it into the episodes. The soundtrack includes 19 tracks featuring music heard throughout the first season, offering a cross-section of New Orleans-bred music that includes rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, rock and roll, funk, folk and country. Artists heard on the soundtrack include John Boutté with series theme "Treme Song," Steve Zahn's (who plays DJ/musician Davis McAlary in the series) performance of "Shame, Shame, Shame," Dr. John's "Indian Red," "Time Is On My Side" by Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint, Steve Earle's "This City," as well as music from Rebirth, Soul Rebels and much more; $14.99 on iTunes. - Mary Tutwiler