Recipient of the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award, Johnette Downing is a musician, author, illustrator, and poet dedicated to sharing her Louisiana roots music and books with children across the globe. She is the author of thirty books and twelve recordings, and has performed concerts, author visits, keynotes, and educator workshops on five continents. Called the "Cajun Raffi" and the "Musical Ambassador to Children" by the media, she is best known for her "singable" books, pourquoi tales, and irresistible original songs steeped in Cajun, Creole, blues, zydeco, Isleno, Caribbean, and jazz music traditions.