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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans
In New Orleans, there lived a man who saw the streets as his calling, and he swept them clean. He danced up one avenue and down another and everyone danced along. The old ladies whistled and whirled. The old men hooted and hollered. The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet bakers bounded behind that one-man parade. But then came the rising Mississippi—and a storm greater than anyone had seen before. In this heartwarming book about a real garbage man, Phil Bildner and John Parra tell the inspiring story of a humble man and the heroic difference he made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2015
About the author
Phil Bildner
30 books115 followersPhil Bildner is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for kids. His latest book is the groundbreaking, #OwnVoices middle grade novel, A High Five for Glenn Burke. He is the author of many children’s picture books including the Margaret Wise Brown Prize winning Marvelous Cornelius, the Texas Bluebonnet Award winning Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy, Martina & Chrissie, Twenty-One Elephants, and The Soccer Fence. Phil is also the author of A Whole New Ballgame, Rookie of the Year, Tournament of Champions, and Most Valuable Players in the critically acclaimed middle grade Rip & Red series.
Phil grew up in Jericho, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City. He studied political science at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and then attended law school at New York University School of Law. After passing the bar in New York and New Jersey, Phil worked as an associate at a large Manhattan law firm, but he quickly realized the legal profession wasn’t for him. So he followed his heart and went back to school, earning a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Long Island University.
For eleven years, Phil taught in the New York City Public Schools. Teaching fifth and sixth grade in the Tremont section of the Bronx in the 1990s, he built an innovative ELA curriculum around song lyrics and music. Dave Matthews, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean all visited his classroom. Teaching middle school English and American History in Manhattan in the 2000s, Phil continued to integrate music and the arts into his curriculum, working with the Lincoln Center Institute, Broadway shows (Wicked, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Off-Broadway shows (Def Poetry Jam, De la Guarda).
After leaving the classroom to write full time, Phil began chaperoning student-volunteer trips to New Orleans to help in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. He founded The NOLA Tree, a non-profit youth service organization and served as the co-Executive Director.
These days, Phil lives in Newburgh, New York with his husband in a two hundred year old farmhouse. Most of the time, you’ll find him out in the yard playing with his dog named Kat or writing on the back porch (aka, his office) overlooking the Hudson River.
Phil grew up in Jericho, New York, a Long Island suburb of New York City. He studied political science at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and then attended law school at New York University School of Law. After passing the bar in New York and New Jersey, Phil worked as an associate at a large Manhattan law firm, but he quickly realized the legal profession wasn’t for him. So he followed his heart and went back to school, earning a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Long Island University.
For eleven years, Phil taught in the New York City Public Schools. Teaching fifth and sixth grade in the Tremont section of the Bronx in the 1990s, he built an innovative ELA curriculum around song lyrics and music. Dave Matthews, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean all visited his classroom. Teaching middle school English and American History in Manhattan in the 2000s, Phil continued to integrate music and the arts into his curriculum, working with the Lincoln Center Institute, Broadway shows (Wicked, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Off-Broadway shows (Def Poetry Jam, De la Guarda).
After leaving the classroom to write full time, Phil began chaperoning student-volunteer trips to New Orleans to help in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. He founded The NOLA Tree, a non-profit youth service organization and served as the co-Executive Director.
These days, Phil lives in Newburgh, New York with his husband in a two hundred year old farmhouse. Most of the time, you’ll find him out in the yard playing with his dog named Kat or writing on the back porch (aka, his office) overlooking the Hudson River.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 5, 2016
Phil Bildner does it again! This book shares the spirit of New Orleans before and after hurricane Katrina. In this folk tale like story, Bildner tells the tale of real-life trash collector Cornelius and amazing work ethic. Filled with figurative language like alliteration & repetition this book would make an amazing read aloud! Perfect mentor text for figurative language, folk tales, theme & as a tradebook for Social Studies!
A true treasure for any teacher or classroom library!
A true treasure for any teacher or classroom library!
August 15, 2015
A great tool in introducing elements of folk tales. Quote by MLK in the very beginning is a powerful launching into the life of Cornelius Washington. Author's notes are valuable to share with students after reading. Website link included in note would be welcomed by students as an opportunity to try their hand at writing folktales. There's just a lot to use within the beautiful tribute to Cornelius and New Orleans.
December 23, 2017
A beautifully told and illustrated story about a contemporary folk hero with an infectious, irrepressible spirit.
September 24, 2015
Is there ever going to be a Chronicle picture book I just don't care for? Well, not if it's a true story about a heroic and beloved garbageman in New Orleans. 900 stars for paying tribute to a real champion, capturing the best city and providing the opportunity to yell "Hootie Hoooooooo" in storytime.
November 7, 2015
Based on the real Cornelius Washington, a sanitation worker who worked and lived in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina. Pair with Drowned City by Don Brown (NF) and Inside Out In The Middle of Nowhere (Fic).
April 22, 2018
Note: I found this Contemporary American Folk Story in e-book form.
Sadly, when I think of American Folklore or Tall Tales, I immediately conjure up the image of Johnny Appleseed or… maybe, Calamity Jane? It is a real strain to think of contemporary folk tales that my students can directly relate to -- and might even look like them! That’s why I was overjoyed when I found this e-book/picture book that chronicles the fantastical story of an African American folk hero: Marvelous Cornelius.
Many times, folktales are exaggerations of real people and events, and this book is based on the uplifting story of Cornelius Washington, and his legacy before and after Hurricane Katrina. The authors transform Washington into Marvelous Cornelius -- a musical, whimsical garbage collector in New Orleans. A children's favorite, (and a local fixture), he spread joy and merriment as he cleaned the city streets and joined the party atmosphere across the city.
After the devastation and destruction that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on the city, this larger-than-life man wept, “It will take thousands of me to clean this. Millions.” It’s then that Marvelous Cornelius gets to work, using his infectious energy and optimism to draw in volunteers from all corners of the city -- and our nation.
With folk art painting inspired illustrations, this folktale would be a perfect mentor text for alliteration, onomatopoeia, and exaggeration. Like many of the books I have compiled for my WOW book reviews, the heavy emphasis on community and a sense of place is exemplified in this inspiring story. I could even see a special lesson on volunteerism coming from the pages of this contemporary tall tale. I also think this would be a great book to introduce some science concepts revolving around weather, and the hurricane, for any student from k-5. This story would be a great jumping in point for 5th grade particularly, which has a science standard: “Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.”
Sadly, when I think of American Folklore or Tall Tales, I immediately conjure up the image of Johnny Appleseed or… maybe, Calamity Jane? It is a real strain to think of contemporary folk tales that my students can directly relate to -- and might even look like them! That’s why I was overjoyed when I found this e-book/picture book that chronicles the fantastical story of an African American folk hero: Marvelous Cornelius.
Many times, folktales are exaggerations of real people and events, and this book is based on the uplifting story of Cornelius Washington, and his legacy before and after Hurricane Katrina. The authors transform Washington into Marvelous Cornelius -- a musical, whimsical garbage collector in New Orleans. A children's favorite, (and a local fixture), he spread joy and merriment as he cleaned the city streets and joined the party atmosphere across the city.
After the devastation and destruction that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on the city, this larger-than-life man wept, “It will take thousands of me to clean this. Millions.” It’s then that Marvelous Cornelius gets to work, using his infectious energy and optimism to draw in volunteers from all corners of the city -- and our nation.
With folk art painting inspired illustrations, this folktale would be a perfect mentor text for alliteration, onomatopoeia, and exaggeration. Like many of the books I have compiled for my WOW book reviews, the heavy emphasis on community and a sense of place is exemplified in this inspiring story. I could even see a special lesson on volunteerism coming from the pages of this contemporary tall tale. I also think this would be a great book to introduce some science concepts revolving around weather, and the hurricane, for any student from k-5. This story would be a great jumping in point for 5th grade particularly, which has a science standard: “Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.”
June 5, 2017
"For far too long water, water everywhere. A gumbo of mush and mud."
Author Phil Bildner, introduces us to the sanitation worker Cornelius Washington. He became a hero and symbolized the energy and spirit of New Orleans. The story details how when Hurricane Katrina struck the city, New Orleans suffered destruction and desperation but fought through and rose again. The author using alliteration, repetition, and exaggeration to emulate the American folk tradition. There are plenty of elements to note of author's use of literary devices that could be explored with children through this text. Since the author accurately describes places and concepts in New Orleans, it could be used as a paired text when studying New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, natural disasters, or how a city rebuilds itself after hardship.
Author Phil Bildner, introduces us to the sanitation worker Cornelius Washington. He became a hero and symbolized the energy and spirit of New Orleans. The story details how when Hurricane Katrina struck the city, New Orleans suffered destruction and desperation but fought through and rose again. The author using alliteration, repetition, and exaggeration to emulate the American folk tradition. There are plenty of elements to note of author's use of literary devices that could be explored with children through this text. Since the author accurately describes places and concepts in New Orleans, it could be used as a paired text when studying New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, natural disasters, or how a city rebuilds itself after hardship.
January 12, 2021
This book is AWESOME. Talk about a city coming together to rebuild... a different tragedy, in a different year - but so applicable to so many catastrophes we've seen in the past year.
February 7, 2022
Reading to the kids for BHM. Great story of community
November 18, 2021
I loved this book about Cornelius Washington, a local hero who helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina. I only took a star off because I wanted more! I think it's so important that the book highlights regular people making a difference, as well as highlighting people whose jobs are generally looked down upon or made an example of as someone you don't want to be. Everyone is important and Cornelius is proof that not only is everyone important to helping a community thrive, but everyone's job keeps us running!
January 10, 2019
"Cornelius rose.
He dried his eyes.
For his spirit and will were waterproof."
Beautiful pictures and prose. My eyes welled up. Perfect for a musical storytime, a discussion on community, and an introduction to the tough stuff (natural disasters - Katrina in particular for this book).
He dried his eyes.
For his spirit and will were waterproof."
Beautiful pictures and prose. My eyes welled up. Perfect for a musical storytime, a discussion on community, and an introduction to the tough stuff (natural disasters - Katrina in particular for this book).
March 9, 2020
A simple historical parable illuminated by the MLK quote about class: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'” This book understands the difference between labor and work.
August 17, 2015
As the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, bringing with it media coverage and reflections on the storm and its destruction, this is a lovely tribute to the resilience of New Orleans and its citizens. Relying on the folk tale tradition to tell his story, the author introduces readers to Cornelius Washington, called Marvelous Cornelius in the story, a garbage collector who takes to heart Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s admonition that whatever job we do, we should do it well. Marvelous Cornelius does his job with style, and he does it every day, taking seriously his responsibility to keep the city's streets clean. Even the mounds of debris left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina don't keep him down for long, and he goes right back to work, this time joined by volunteers from all over the country who want to set things right again. I was moved by this story of a man whose "spirit and will were waterproof" (unpaged). The text and illustrations capture the unique flavor of a city that rose from disaster. Teachers may want to share the book with their students as an illustration of resilience and of one man's determination to do his job well as well as an introduction to the recovery process that follows a natural disaster such as a hurricane. Although the back matter about the real inspiration for this story is fascinating, I would have loved to have seen a picture of Cornelius too.
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December 8, 2015The last week in August 2005 a nation, admittedly persons around the world, watched with growing alarm as a force of nature spun toward the southern edge of the United States. On the 29th it reached landfall along the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina stretched some four hundred miles with sustained winds reaching between one hundred and one hundred forty miles per hour. The loss of life, the loss of a way of living and personal property was catastrophic.
One man, Cornelius Washington, in the wake of devastating destruction dug deep into his heart doing what he had done daily. Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans (Chronicle Books, August 4, 2015) written by Phil Bildner with illustrations by John Parra is an inspirational tribute to an extraordinary human being. His strength in the face of events beyond his control was a spark that fueled flames in others.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
February 7, 2017
Text: 5 stars
Illustrations: 5 stars
Picture book biography, stretched as a bit of a tall tale, based on the life of a sanitation worker in New Orleans. Contrasts life in that city before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Though it is mentioned in an author's note in the back of the book, I find it odd that the hurricane is not specifically named in the book's text. But the text manages to say a lot in few words, and is enhanced through word play. The illustration style evokes the spirit of New Orleans and suits the text quite well.
Illustrations: 5 stars
Picture book biography, stretched as a bit of a tall tale, based on the life of a sanitation worker in New Orleans. Contrasts life in that city before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Though it is mentioned in an author's note in the back of the book, I find it odd that the hurricane is not specifically named in the book's text. But the text manages to say a lot in few words, and is enhanced through word play. The illustration style evokes the spirit of New Orleans and suits the text quite well.
January 17, 2016
"And those spotless streets, oh, how they sparkled." A wonderful picture book about, Marvelous Cornelius, a sanitation worker from New Orleans who took pride in keeping the streets as beautiful as its atmosphere. After Hurricane Katrina, neighbors & relief helpers from various states joined in helping to make the streets as beautiful as its community spirit.
I wish they would have included an actual picture of Mr. Cornelius in the authors notes.
I wish they would have included an actual picture of Mr. Cornelius in the authors notes.
April 5, 2016
This is a great book about a sanitation worker who worked with determination and style. He waved to everyone he saw and would dance in the streets as he picked up the garbage. He was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and how it ruined New Orleans but as he worked the community and volunteers helped him clean up.
May 6, 2017
Marvelous Cornelius is the story of a charismatic garbage collector in New Orleans, LA. He was know for his showy style of collecting the city's trash. After Hurricane Katrina he joined in the herculean effort to clean up the city.
This is a fantastic way to introduce the story of Katrina to youngsters not able to quite grasp the concept of a category 5 hurricane.
This is a fantastic way to introduce the story of Katrina to youngsters not able to quite grasp the concept of a category 5 hurricane.
November 1, 2015
Excited to meet this author at the Texas Book Festival! My first graders loved this book too.
March 23, 2018
This is one of those books that gives me warm fuzzies and makes me so hopeful that there is so much heart and soul still out in the world. A wonderful and worthwhile read for everyone. <3
August 5, 2018
This book is marvelous!
The story of Cornelius, while fictionalized, shows the spirit of New Orleans. That spirit was not quenched by Hurricane Katrina, but, rather, became stronger.
The story of Cornelius, while fictionalized, shows the spirit of New Orleans. That spirit was not quenched by Hurricane Katrina, but, rather, became stronger.
November 8, 2019
Love this! Might work for integrity for elementary students.
January 11, 2018
Marvelous Cornelius was a street sweeper in New Orleans. He loved his job to clean the street in New Orleans, singing a song and dancing when he picked up bags of trash and threw them into the hopper, which is a container for trash. When the hurricane Katrina passed New Orleans, destroying the city and leaving ruins on the street, he stood up and dried his eyes to reconstruct the city by doing his daily routines. With help from the neighboring communities and volunteers from other states, the city was restored.
This book is classified as fiction, but the protagonist of the story is inspired by a sanitation worker named Cornelius Washington. The author visited New Orleans several times to help the recovery of the city, and he encountered the story of Cornelius which led to the creation of the protagonist, Marvelous Cornelius, for this story. What I am interested in this book is that the illustrations which represent the vibrant and energetic feelings of New Orleans. Colorful illustrations and the curved, wavy texts portray the musical moods of Marvelous Cornelius as well as New Orleans.
This book is classified as fiction, but the protagonist of the story is inspired by a sanitation worker named Cornelius Washington. The author visited New Orleans several times to help the recovery of the city, and he encountered the story of Cornelius which led to the creation of the protagonist, Marvelous Cornelius, for this story. What I am interested in this book is that the illustrations which represent the vibrant and energetic feelings of New Orleans. Colorful illustrations and the curved, wavy texts portray the musical moods of Marvelous Cornelius as well as New Orleans.
July 15, 2024
This biopicbook (biography picture book) begins with the great quote from Martin Luther King Jr. about doing your best at your job even if you're a street sweeper. (The quote is from this speech.)
The reader meets Cornelius, a well-liked sanitation worker in New Orleans who did his job enthusiastically, singing and dancing. After "the storm," Cornelius almost despaired – it would take thousands, millions of people to clean up the city! But he started, and lots of people joined in – not just locals but thousands, millions of people from all over. The book concludes, "As the great city rose again, Marvelous Cornelius, he passed on. But as for his spirit, that's part of New Orleans, New Orleans forever after."
In the back of the book, the author explains how he heard about Cornelius Washington and decided to make him larger than life. "Cornelius's story has the flavor of folktales and folk heroes like John Henry, and by incorporating repetition, alliteration, and exaggeration, I have tried to honor those qualities in the telling." Well done!
The reader meets Cornelius, a well-liked sanitation worker in New Orleans who did his job enthusiastically, singing and dancing. After "the storm," Cornelius almost despaired – it would take thousands, millions of people to clean up the city! But he started, and lots of people joined in – not just locals but thousands, millions of people from all over. The book concludes, "As the great city rose again, Marvelous Cornelius, he passed on. But as for his spirit, that's part of New Orleans, New Orleans forever after."
In the back of the book, the author explains how he heard about Cornelius Washington and decided to make him larger than life. "Cornelius's story has the flavor of folktales and folk heroes like John Henry, and by incorporating repetition, alliteration, and exaggeration, I have tried to honor those qualities in the telling." Well done!
January 8, 2019
“Even if it’s called your lot to be a street sweeper, go out and sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Handel and Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry.”
That portion of the opening quote found in this beautifully illustrated book, Marvelous Cornelius, is from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1967 sermon entitled “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life.”
Marvelous Cornelius exudes this. It’s a modern-day folktale about real-life veteran French Quarter sanitation worker, Cornelius Washington, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, all while perfectly capturing the warm spirit of New Orleans.
That portion of the opening quote found in this beautifully illustrated book, Marvelous Cornelius, is from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1967 sermon entitled “The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life.”
“You know, they used to tell us in Hollywood that in order for a movie to be complete, it had to be three-dimensional. Well, this morning I want to seek to get over to each of us that if life itself is to be complete, it must be three-dimensional.” The three parts that King specifies makes up this complete package is self-care, concern for others, and spirituality.
Marvelous Cornelius exudes this. It’s a modern-day folktale about real-life veteran French Quarter sanitation worker, Cornelius Washington, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, all while perfectly capturing the warm spirit of New Orleans.
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November 12, 2019This book is amazing! I loved the illustrations and descriptive langauge. It does very well bringing the personality of New Orleans alive. It is a quick read, but it leaves an impression on you. Cornelius is such an incredible character. I was cheering for him the entire time I was reading this book! I just wanted to jump into this story and help Cornelius clean. This book I will read over and over again.
This book is based off of a true person and real event. You could read this book and spend time learning about the real Cornelius and Hurrican Katrina. You could also spend time learning about New Orleans. This story also uses a lot of movement/music verbs. You could use this book in a creative arts lesson. You can use it to teach motor skills in small children. You could have the kids do the verbs as they come up in the story. It will help your kids feel like they are part of the story.
This book is based off of a true person and real event. You could read this book and spend time learning about the real Cornelius and Hurrican Katrina. You could also spend time learning about New Orleans. This story also uses a lot of movement/music verbs. You could use this book in a creative arts lesson. You can use it to teach motor skills in small children. You could have the kids do the verbs as they come up in the story. It will help your kids feel like they are part of the story.
December 5, 2017
This book is really cute. While it is based on true events, and I am sure that this man worked very hard to clean up New Orleans after a hurricane, it was approached in a slightly whimsical way so that it seemed that he cleaned it up quickly and without anyone else's help. This was effective for showing how important this person was and how well they worked to help out, but it seemed a little more like a superhero story rather than a true story about someone using their work to help change someone's life. It is a remarkable story, though, and shows how an individual's motivation can help change the world.
Bildner, P. Ill. Parra, J. (2015, August 4). Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
Bildner, P. Ill. Parra, J. (2015, August 4). Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
October 24, 2019
This is a true story told about a man named Cornelius who lived in New Orleans. He swept the streets clean of garbage. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans him and the whole community work together to clean up the city.
I chose this book because I have yet to read a book based on a true story about the difference one person made in the after math of a hurricane. It's a very original storyline for a children's book.
Genre is non-fiction and grade level is preK-K, grade 1-2.
I would use this in the classroom as a hook into reading non-fiction text. Some students may believe that non-fiction text can be boring, but I hope after reading this story, it can widen their experience.
I chose this book because I have yet to read a book based on a true story about the difference one person made in the after math of a hurricane. It's a very original storyline for a children's book.
Genre is non-fiction and grade level is preK-K, grade 1-2.
I would use this in the classroom as a hook into reading non-fiction text. Some students may believe that non-fiction text can be boring, but I hope after reading this story, it can widen their experience.
March 24, 2020
In New Orleans, there lived a man who saw the streets as his calling, and he swept them clean. He danced up one avenue and down another and everyone danced along. The old ladies whistled and whirled. The old men hooted and hollered. The barbers, bead twirlers, and beignet bakers bounded behind that one-man parade. But then came the rising Mississippi—and a storm greater than anyone had seen before. In this heartwarming book about a real garbage man, Phil Bildner and John Parra tell the inspiring story of a humble man and the heroic difference he made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Plus, this is a fixed-format version of the book, which looks nearly identical to the print version.
October 19, 2018
I love how this book turned something tragic in Hurricane Katrina, and turned into something bright and positive. The hurricane was horrible but the will that people showed to help clean up the city was inspiring . I think it is a great message that the author is sending. He is teaching young children to help those in need when they need it, and to always do good for other people. This book is inspiring in every aspect, and I think teachers could use this book to teach thee valuable lessons to their students.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews