Mardi’s Dog Parade
A Louisiana loving dog with a homesick heart. Read to find out how one very special parade changes everything for Mardi!
Can Mardi the dog find happiness in his new home?
Mardi loves everything about New Orleans - especially the colorful Mardi Gras parades filled with music, food, and fun! But when he and his owner move to Florida, Mardi misses his old home more than he ever imagined.
Just when he thinks Mardi Gras magic is gone forever, Mardi discovers that new traditions can begin with one brave idea. With the help of his new friends, he creates a parade all their own—proving that friendship and a little imagination can make any place feel like home.
Mardi’s Dog Parade is a heartwarming story about embracing change, celebrating community, and discovering that home is where the heart is.
Hey There, Book Lover!
What People Are Saying About Mardi’s Dog Parade
“The cozy New Orleans opening and charming illustrations will immediately resonate with anyone who has visited “The Crescent City” or experienced a Mardi Gras parade.
Young readers and their parents will be delighted when Mardi decides to “bring New Orleans to Florida” and then turns into a parade leader.
The tone is gentle, affectionate, and celebratory, and the whole premise of a dog adjusting to a new home by recreating the old one fits the kind of reassuring, emotional arc that children enjoy. Readers of all ages will relish the cultural touchstones here — the beads, Mardi Gras, beignets, jazz — because they give the story its special identity.
My favorite line: “If he couldn’t go back to New Orleans, he would bring New Orleans to Florida!”
That line is the cleanest expression of the story’s emotional pivot. It’s simple, resolute, and sweetly proactive, and it turns homesickness into action in a way that feels true to the cozy-hopeful promise of the book.”
Renee Garrison, Past President, Florida Authors and Publishers Association, Award-Winning Author
“Through the lively pup, Mardi, Altier proves that everyone can experience the "Joie de Vivre" (Love of Life) that Louisianans share no matter where you are or how many paws you have. Mardi's tale is a great reminder, whether you are young or old, that sharing your passion will always invite others to do the same.”
Elise B. Lawless, 2025 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year
About the Author
Hello! I’m Dr. Sarah Altier, a fifth-generation Floridian who fell in love with books—and dogs!— at an early age. I’m delighted to share the adventures of Mardi the dog with young readers.
I’ve always loved a good celebration, and as a charter member of a women’s krewe organization, I’ve had a front-row seat to the magic of DeLand’s Mardi Gras Dog Parade as it grew from a little neighborhood tradition into a beloved community festival.
I’m an educator and lifelong traveler with a doctorate in Education/literacy from the University of Florida. I’ve taught in Florida, Hawai‘i, and Africa and traveled to more than 80 countries, always looking for stories, music, festivals, and folklore to bring home.
And if you’re wondering about the most unusual thing about me… I’ve appeared on both Jeopardy! and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!
I hope Mardi’s story inspires you to celebrate where you come from, embrace new adventures, and always make room for a little fun along the way!
Click here to order Mardi’s Dog Parade on Amazon (paperback)
Click here to order hardback copy from Spark (hard cover)
Click on the “Contact” option in the upper right hand corner of this website to order hardcover Mardi directly from the author.
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