Pooja Joins the Carnival Fun: Mardi Gras in NOLA and a Free Book Giveaway!
Hello, friends of festivity and furry tales!
It’s Carnival Season here in Louisiana, and the air is buzzing with excitement! As the illustrator of Pooja: Destiny Awaits, I can’t help but imagine our spirited South Indian puppy getting in the swing of things. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a Free Book Giveaway on our TikTok (@poojaadventures)—a signed copy of Pooja: Destiny Awaits by me and author Jamison Shults, published by The Omnibus Publishing. It’s our way of building a community and sharing a little Louisiana magic with the world. Who knows—maybe one of Pooja’s adventures will take her to New Orleans for Mardi Gras!
If Pooja trotted into NOLA right now, she’d be dazzled. Mardi Gras here is a riot of color—think shimmering floats draped in purple, green, and gold, rolling down St. Charles Avenue while brass bands blast jazzy beats. The streets are alive with masked revelers tossing beads and trinkets from atop krewe floats, each one a moving masterpiece of feathers, glitter, and wild imagination. The smell of king cake—sweet dough swirled with cinnamon and topped with sugary icing—wafts through the air, tempting every passerby. And the energy? It’s electric, a joyful chaos that sweeps you up whether you’re a local or a first-timer.
Pooja, with her knack for helping animals, might sniff out a Mardi Gras mission—rescuing a stray pup lost in the French Quarter or joining the parade with a krewe of costumed pets! The vibrant scenes would leap off my sketchpad: Pooja dodging a shower of beads, her little tail wagging to a second-line rhythm, or gazing up at a flambeaux carrier lighting the night. New Orleans during Carnival is a feast for the senses, and it’s a thrill to picture her in that world.
We’re bringing some of that festive spirit to you with our TikTok giveaway! Head to @poojaadventures to enter—follow, like, and tag a friend for a chance to win a signed copy (print, $25 value) before March 7. It’s English for now (eBook $7.99 too), with Pooja: El Destino Aguarda coming mid-March 2025. Want to join Pooja’s adventure today? Visit www.jamisonshults.com to grab your copy, download a free activity kit, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (@PoojaAdventures). Let’s share the joy of Carnival—and Pooja—with the world!
Laissez les bons temps rouler,
Marla Emory
Illustrator of Pooja: Destiny Awaits
Professor, School of Design, Louisiana Tech University