The idea came to her years ago: she would write a children’s book about how to peel crawfish.
Now, four years later, Brittney Cannon’s idea is finally a reality. Her book, “How to Peel a Crawfish,” is available for purchase on Amazon. She hopes to one day sell the book in stores throughout the parish and is now gathering quotes from printers.
Cannon has already sold 200 copies of the book.
“It just didn’t seem real at first – to actually physically have [the book] in my hand and realize I wrote a children’s book and people are actually interested and people want to buy it,” Cannon said. “Because it was just an idea.”
The story follows the character Gage – named after Cannon’s oldest son – as he prepares for a big crawfish boil at his Nanan’s house. Gage is teased by his cousin T-Bougre for not knowing how to peel a crawfish.
Gage asks Pops, Mamère, Taunt Dee, and others to teach him. They tell him to “pinch ‘em, peel ‘em, eat ‘em,” but Gage is still confused until his mom shows him the secret to peeling crawfish like a pro.
“With a little patience, a lot of spice, and some good ol’ Cajun love, Gage earns his spot at the table—and maybe even a little respect from T-Bougre, too,” Cannon writes on the book’s description.
Cannon said when she originally had the idea for the book, she knew she wanted it to be unique.
“I didn’t want it to be your typical book that everybody sees all the time,” she said. “I feel like a lot of Louisiana books are your stereotype. I wanted something a little bit more authentic that we can relate to.”
The book includes a certificate to recognize readers of the book as “certified crawfish peelers,” and it includes instructions on how to peel a crawfish at the end of the book. Cannon uses Cajun French throughout the book and includes a glossary as well.
Cannon used an AI tool to illustrate the book. Her sons, Gage and Laine, are in the book. She also included illustrations of other family members, who are longtime residents of St. Charles Parish.
“It was just a few family members at first, but then I wanted to add more people to make it more personal,” she said. “And I never told any of them that I was writing the book. I just told them my initial idea. So, years later, when I finally did it, they were just all like, ‘oh my gosh.’”
She said Lane has memorized the entire book by heart.
“Everybody is so excited,” she said. “I mean, I did it just for fun, not really trying to make a big thing about it, but more people were interested in it and everybody liked it.”
She said someone from Washington state purchased the book.
“I like the fact that it can bring smiles to people’s faces and people can actually relate to it,” she said.
Cannon said she has ideas for other books, too.
“My head is always spinning,” she said. “As I’m getting older, I have all these things that I want to do, and I’m realizing life is too short, and, if you put your mind to it, and actually push yourself to do something, then you’re capable of doing it.”
