Unprepared for his yearly trek because of a series of problems, a perplexed Santa sees Gaston in flight-suddenly the friendly alligator is employed to help save Christmas Eve. Gaston®, the intrepid green-nosed alligator from the bayou, ventures far and wide to satisfy his wanderlust. Gaston's creator, James Rice, wrote and illustrated nine books featuring the friendly swamp creature. "Rice is especially good with facial expressions, whether they are on a Texas jackrabbit, a longhorn steer, a dusty cowboy, or the green and long-nosed alligator named Gaston." --%iLibrary Journal%r The classic tale of Christmas Eve in a bayou setting provided the theme of Cajun Night Before Christmas, one of the country's most widely acclaimed Christmas books. In that best-selling volume, the traditional jolly old St. Nick appears as a Cajun trapper dressed in muskrat and riding in a gift-laden pirogue pulled through the sky by eight charming, friendly alligators. What led Santa Claus to move his workshop from the snowy North Pole to the moss-draped bayou country? Why were his faithful reindeer replaced by alligators? And how did he manage to assemble a team of flying alligators for his all-important Christmas journey? In this delightful work, author-illustrator James Rice explains just how it happened. In the process, he creates another fascinating tale for youngsters and adults alike. Gaston played a pivotal role in Cajun Night Before Christmas, the first book in the Night Before Christmas series. In turn, Gaston the Green-Nosed Alligator is the first book in another series that includes Gaston Goes to Mardi Gras and Gaston Goes to Texas. "Rice is especially good with facial expressions, whether they are on a Texas jackrabbit, a longhorn steer, a dusty cowboy, or the green and long-nosed alligator named Gaston." --%iLibrary Journal%r The classic tale of Christmas Eve in a bayou setting provided the theme of Cajun Night Before Christmas, one of the country's most widely acclaimed Christmas books. In that best-selling volume, the traditional jolly old St. Nick appears as a Cajun trapper dressed in muskrat and riding in a gift-laden pirogue pulled through the sky by eight charming, friendly alligators. What led Santa Claus to move his workshop from the snowy North Pole to the moss-draped bayou country? Why were his faithful reindeer replaced by alligators? And how did he manage to assemble a team of flying alligators for his all-important Christmas journey? In this delightful work, author-illustrator James Rice explains just how it happened. In the process, he creates another fascinating tale for youngsters and adults alike. Gaston played a pivotal role in Cajun Night Before Christmas, the first book in the Night Before Christmas series. In turn, Gaston the Green-Nosed Alligator is the first book in another series that includes Gaston Goes to Mardi Gras and Gaston Goes to Texas. “They say if you can make a living doing what you love then you never have to work.  I haven't worked in years.”  ―James Rice    “Rice is especially good with facial expressions, whether they are on a Texas jackrabbit, a longhorn steer, a dusty cowboy, or the green and long-nosed alligator named Gaston.”  ― Library Journal    “Rice’s detailed pictures are captivating.”  ― Woman’s Day    This outpouring of praise is directed towards James Rice (1934-2004) and the outstanding list of children’s books he wrote and illustrated. Widely acclaimed as the South’s leading illustrator of juvenile books, Rice lives through the more than 2.5 million books in print that feature his work-a record that ranks him with top children's authors and illustrators nationally.    Cajun Night Before Christmas®, Rice’s first book, has been nationally recognized as a classic in its genre. Rice lent his talents to Pelican Publishing Company’s  The Night Before Christmas Series,  which includes the tremendously popular  An Irish Night Before Christmas, Redneck Night Before Christmas,  and  Gullah Night Before Christmas.  It was through  Cajun Night Before Christmas®  that Rice developed the character of Gaston® the Green-Nosed Alligator, who went on to have his own series of books. Several of Rice’s other sixty books are set in his home state of Texas.  Trail Drive  is just one that both entertains and teaches children about cowboys and Western life.    Rice was born on a farm in Coleman County, Texas, and resided in Hico, Texas. He graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Texas, a master of fine arts from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a master of arts from Howard Payne University. Rice taught art and music at both high school and college levels at such schools as Southeastern Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, and Dallas Baptist College. When not working on new books, Rice visited schools throughout the country to teach children the joys of writing and illustrating. Used Book in Good Condition