Author captures south Louisiana magic

As a young girl growing up in Morgan City, Zona B. Lee was influenced by the magical culture of Louisiana folklore.
“My family sat around in the evenings on weekends and told these wonderful stories,” said Lee in an email.
“I always heard of the black gris gris of the bayous, which I’m into the white do good magic.”
Now she’s sharing the magic with her book “The Rougarou and the Fe Fo Lay in the Magical Land of Cajun.” Lee autographed copies of the book Friday at a “Meet the Author” event at Morgan City Public Library.
She also signed books Saturday in the Children’s Village while attending the 80th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival.
Lee’s book is a self-published children’s story, first of a trilogy, focusing on Louisiana mythology and folklore. It’s been available to the public since July on Amazon.com.
Generations of Louisiana kids grew up listening to stories about Lee’s featured characters Rougarou and Fe Fo Lay in her book.
This past season “The Swamp People” competed to capture the biggest, meanest gator on the bayou that they named the “Rougarou,” Lee said.
“Fe Fo, Roogie’s fire-flying lethal side-kick was inspired by the same stories my father told of giant fire-flies just as he did the Rougarou.”
As a mother of sons born and raised in Morgan City, Bo and Raife Bodin, Lee believes people should read her book to keep the culture of the south, specifically Louisiana, Cajun culture alive for generations to come.
The book is 78 pages filled with half text and illustrations. It is geared for children ages 7-12.
Ann Wyant, a 20-year-design veteran, illustrated the book.
The book’s central message is “we should treat others the way we want to be treated,” Lee said.
“We should also not judge others by the way they look (Rougarou) but get to know them first.”
Lee is a graduate of Morgan City High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Nicholls State.
In addition, Lee has graduate degrees from Tulane and the University of Dallas.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com.