Friends:

It’s time to announce the winner of the “How FANtastic Are You?!” Contest. Contestants had to submit a creative picture of themselves and/or their children with one of Dianne’s books. The winner is… (drumroll, please!!)

Kristin Henness and her Kindergarten Class, Jarman Elementary, Oklahoma

They did a great job! Congratulations to the Chickens and Roaches of Ms. Henness’ class! You win two autographed books and a box full of awesome goodies!

Here are some other cool pictures they sent.

Then there was this hilariously silly picture!!

Thank you Kristen, Jessica, and the Kindergarteners of Jarman Elementary! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Marita Gentry (Illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach) and I have created the coolest new book activity/craft for you to make, which goes along with our newest book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach! It’s a paper plate story shaker! You can download the template here:

http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet

One side of the story shaker is Madame Poulet. The other side is Monsieur Roach and friends. The paper plate, folded in half, is full of beads (you can also use beans or pasta). The story shaker can be used by children to retell the story as well as make music when Monsieur Roach and friends have their big party.

In addition, I created party hats for the roaches. These are super simple. Download the Creepy Crawly Cards from the book activities and cut them out. Glue them to plain birthday party hats found at any party supply store. Instant party roaches!

http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet

I hope you enjoy this new book activity! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

After the TASL conference, Nancy Dickinson took me on a dervish of a sightseeing tour of Nashville. We had only a couple of hours before the sun set so we did as much as we could by car. I love city skylines and was happy to get this picture as we came into the city from Murfreesboro.

This is the old train station downtown. I love the architecture of this building – beautiful!

I took this picture because “Seanachie” means “storyteller” in Irish. It was an old abandoned building that Nancy said used to be a restaurant.

Nancy told me that the AT&T building was nicknamed “The Bat Building” because it looked like a “bat” and it was futuristic like Gotham City. Too cool!

Next, we drove by the original Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium. It has been renovated and still hosts concerts and events. The new Grand Ole Opry is outside of Nashville and we didn’t have the opportunity to see it.

After that, we went to the Nashville Public Library and toured inside this breathtaking building, built in 2001. It is a massive structure with marble floors, skylights, a grand foyer, and a fantastic children’s room. The picture of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote was taken in the Civil Rights Room.

The library even hosts art exhibits. There was a beautiful exhibit on Typography when I visited.

The children’s room is gargantuan. It’s painted a fun sunny yellow and even boasts a dedicated puppet theater (with a full stage and sets) named after the great Tom Tichenor.

The Nashville Public Library is absolutely a must-visit on your next trip to Nashville. It is a beautiful facility designed that celebrates the rich heritage of the Nashville community.

You can even see the State Capitol building from the library’s windows!

Next, it was on The Parthenon, a structure built in the center of their city park to resemble the Greek Parthenon. Inside, a large statue of Athena guards the Parthenon with a watchful eye. The Parthenon made Nashville known as the “Athens of the South.”

Then we visited Music Row where I saw rows and rows of houses converted in music production offices – agents, music management companies, recording studios, and even bars that catered to musicians!

Located adjacent to Music Row is the controversial “Musica” sculpture. Wikipedia says, “Musica is Alan LeQuire’s largest sculpture commission to date, and currently the largest sculpture group in the United States. It features nine nude figures, male and female, dancing in a circular composition approximately 38 feet (11.5 m) tall. There are five figures which spring forth from the base. Four more rise up in the center floating above the others. The pinnacle of the statue is a female holding a tambourine.” The sculpture represents the arts and the Greek muses.

Nashville is a beautiful city. I would love to have the opportunity to visit at length! Thank you, Nancy Dickinson, for taking me on a tour of your stunning city!

At least I got to see more than just the airport!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

On Friday and Saturday, I was a part of the TASL Conference in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. I was the Saturday first general session keynote. On Friday, I attended some great sessions. First, I attended a session by Nick Bruel, author of Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. Nick is such an interesting and entertaining man. I really enjoyed his session on how Bad Kitty came together.

After a quick lunch, I attended a session by storyteller and author, Mary Jo Huff. Mary Jo is an extraordinary presenter. She had an incredible amount of great information and ideas for the early childhood librarian.

Talk about storytime pizzazz! Mary Jo had everyone fired up and smiling!!

That night, there was the awards luncheon. I sat at the table that laughed the loudest. We had so much fun! After the association awards were presented, Peg Kehret and Nick Bruel both received awards. Congratulations to both authors!

On Saturday, September 27, 2009, it was time for me to present my morning general session keynote. My keynote was entitled “Passport to the Imagination” and it embraced the conference theme: Explore, Excite, Empower! I took the librarians on a tour through my childhood and how I was inspired to write at an early age by many people along the way. There was Hula dancing, interactive book-making, and rousing audience participatory storytelling. I told Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was a whole lot of fun!

Afterwards, it was time to do my breakout session. I had 50 minutes to present “Story Fest.” Boy, did we barrel through the process and get right into it.

The workshop participants were so good, working so well together. They were so cute presenting their story theater masterpieces. They presented “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking” and “The Frog and the Ox.”

The performances were so much fun and the librarians had a grand time. It was a breathless 50 minutes full of lots of “Wow!” moments. After my session, it was time to sign books. The librarians were so sweet. There was such a long line and they were sooooo patient, waiting for me. Thank you so much!

It was a fantastic conference and I had such a great time with all the librarians! Thank you to Bruce Hester, Lynn Caruthers, Becky Jackman, Nancy Dickerson Dickinson, Allison Roberts and everyone at TASL who made this conference such a success. It was a flawless experience for me and I was given the star treatment! I appreciate being part of it! You are all AWESOME!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Tennessee. I had an incredible time as the guest author at Hillsboro Elementary School in Hillsboro, Tennessee. The children were so excited to meet an author! Nancy Dickerson Dickinson, the librarian, was a wonderful hostess. She picked me up from the Nashville airport on Wednesday evening and then took me to dinner at O’Charley’s, where I had a delicious meal.

On Thursday morning, Nancy picked me up from my hotel and whisked me away to her school. The children were so enthusiastic. Nancy did a great job preparing them for my visit, sharing my books with them and telling them all about me.

I performed three shows, first seeing grades PK, 1 and 2. Next, I saw grades 3 through 5. Finally, I saw the kindergarteners, who came back from a field trip to the county fair.

I performed my new book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam” song, and “The Ghost of Mable Gable.” We even had time for a little Q&A. The stories were a hit and the students had a ton of fun. Look at these happy faces!

I also did book signings for all the students in each grade who bought books.

I had a marvelous time at Hillsboro Elementary School!! I can’t wait to return… Here’s what Nancy had to say about me (she posted this to a librarians’ listserv, LM_net):

“I had the most amazing author visit this past Thursday, and I have to tell you all about it! New Orleans author/storyteller Dianne de Las Casas came to present at the annual conference of the Tennessee Assn. of School Librarians, and I had her come to my school on the day before the conference began. She was so wonderful to work with, and my students and teachers and I had the time of our lives. I don’t know when we’ve laughed together so much! Her new book from Pelican Publishing, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, is adorable. Great story and great illustrations. But, oh, when she tells it, it comes to life and is hilarious! She was also a fantastic presenter at our conference. We all had so much fun in her storytelling workshop and I’m sure we could have spent a whole day with her, learning great technique and having loads of fun! I was the hero of the school Thursday with both the kids and the teachers. Book fair money well spent!”

I am running out of stupendous adjectives to describe my visit to Hillsboro! Thank you, Nancy, the teachers, staff and students of Hillsboro Elementary. You are terrific, marvelous, cool, spectacular, and incredible! I <3 U and hope to return some day soon!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

TOGETHER TIME – MUSIC MADNESS
In New Orleans, music is such an integral thread in our cultural fabric. From blues to jazz to zydeco, music permeates the air like the scent of night-blooming jasmine. When you walk through the French Quarter, you will likely encounter street musicians singing, strumming, or drumming their own interpretation of the city’s heartbeat.

Music is an everyday language in our household. Eliana, my nine-year-old, likes to compose her own songs. You will find iPod earbuds glued to the ears of Soleil, my nineteen-year-old. You will find me bobbing to my favorite tunes down the highway. I love enhancing my storytelling with sing-along refrains and silly songs. When Eliana first began talking, I often used music to teach her various concepts, including spelling her name.

Children thrive in a music-rich environment. Perhaps it is because music follows the natural rhythms of nature and the inherent beat of the heart. From morning until night, nature serenades us with twittering birds, babbling brooks, whispering winds, and choruses of crickets. Even the sounds of the city have their own unique cadence: chattering schoolchildren, honking horns, singing sirens, and thundering trains. Here are some ways to explore the world of music in your home or classroom.

Kitchen Band
Pull out the spoons, pots, and pans and create a cool kitchen band. For inspiration, listen to the intro on my Jambalaya CD, Johnette Downing’s song “Kitchen Band” on her From the Gumbo Pot CD, or Pam Donkin’s “Kitchen Jam” on her A Hop, Skip, and a Jump CD.

Name That Tune
Gather a group and play “Name That Tune.” Divide the group into two teams. Hum or “la-la-la” a popular tune and have team members guess it. If your team is unable to figure out the song, the other team earns the opportunity to provide an answer. Keep score on a dry-erase board, drawing music notes as points. The team with the most notes wins!

Adapt a Song
Teach daily activities and other lessons by adapting popular songs. For instance, the lyrics to the “The Mulberry Bush” can be changed to

“This is the way we brush our teeth
Brush our teeth
Brush our teeth
This is the way we brush our teeth
So early in the morning.”

Hot Potato
A children’s classic, “Hot Potato” is always a cool game. Select upbeat music and seat the children in a circle. Use a beanbag, a foam ball, or a sock filled with beans (tied, of course!) as the hot potato. Children pass the hot potato clockwise while the music is playing. When the music stops, the child with the hot potato is out. Continue the elimination until one child remains. The winner gets to be the music player for the next game.

Playing with Scarves
Using scarves is a great way to integrate movement and music. Children can express their creativity by waving their scarves to bubbly melodies. Adults can guide young children with coaching: “Scarves up, scarves down.” An excellent scarf activity CD is Johnette Downing’s The Second Line. The CD is filled with songs that children can move and groove to.

Loony Tunes
Share some favorite loony tunes with your kids. Some of our favorite silly songs include “Aba Daba Honeymoon,” “Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley, “Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini,” “Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba” sung by Perry Como, and, of course, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from the Mary Poppins soundtrack.

Jumping Jack Jive
Combining exercise and music is not a new concept. Look at the Jazzercise phenomenon. Create an exercise routine with your kids to their favorite song. Make up exercises such as the “Jumping Jack Jive” or the “Hippity Hop.”

Chez Cuisine
Set your dinner to a soundtrack. Explore cultures around the world through their food and music. Think “fancy French restaurant” with music playing in the background as you enjoy your escargot (or “French” fries). On Mexican night, play mariachi music while feasting on fajitas. For music from around the world, check out Putumayo CDs or CDs from Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus World Market.

Junk Jam
Pull out the junk and jam to your favorite tunes.

Clink an old spoon on an oil pan
Rat-a-tat-tat on a garbage can
Grab a hubcap and make a big BAM!
Now that’s what you call a jumpin’ junk jam.

World Rhythms
Grab some rhythm instruments from around the world and shake, rattle and roll to your favorite stories. Check out Margaret Read MacDonald’s Shake-It-Up Tales! Stories to Sing, Dance, Drum and Act Out.

Soothing Me Sofly
While your children are studying, play soothing music such as soft jazz, sweet classical, or sounds of nature CDs.

Children need exposure to all types of music. Stock your music shelves with various genres of music: pop, country, folk, blues, classical, jazz, and world. Expose children early to the beauty and joy of a good song and they will grow up being “mad” about music.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Last last night, I arrived home from Oklahoma City, where I was a featured speaker at the Encyclo-Media conference, a statewide conference in Oklahoma for teachers, librarians, school counselors, and other educators. I taught three sessions on Thursday, September 17, 2009 – “Story Fest,” “Tell Along Tales” and “Tangram Tales.” The sessions were very well attended.

Tell Along Tales had a long line even after the workshop room was full and had to be closed due to the fire code. In the first session, Story Fest, the participants learned how to create instant story theater that involves every student in the group.

Unfortuntely, I forgot to take pictures during Tell Along Tales. The participants learned how to effectively use audience participation as well as how to manage an audience, which is sooo important when participation is involved.

In Tangram Tales, I showed the teachers and librarians how to combine math and language arts by using tangrams within storytelling. They learned how to manipulate tangrams and received a set to take back to school. They even created original tangram figures!

The Tangram Tales workshop ended with the entire room creating a Tangram Story Theater. They performed “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories” with a fun rhythmic song, storytelling, and tangrams. It was fabulous! After my last session, I signed books. Several of my books sold out, which tells me that there is a need not only for good stories but for refreshing classroom and library techniques.

Many of the teachers and librarians told me that my workshops were their favorite. A couple even told me that my workshops were the best they had ever seen! Wow. I am so honored. What excites me so much is that I can give them ideas that energize and inspire them. The ones who benefit the most are the students!!

Here I am with some of my biggest fans! Kristin and Jessica were sooo much fun. I love their energy and passion for their jobs! They are going to perform a play of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, even creating smart board activities for the book. (Access the story theater and puppet theater scripts I created to go with the book here: http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=bookActivities How cool is that? I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. Stay tuned! They promised to share!

On Friday, September 18, 2009, I signed books and then had to head home. Here are some great photos with old friends and new friends!! Here I am with Jenni Holm, the author of the Baby Mouse series of graphic novels for young children, and Elaine Regier, one of the Encyclomedia conference presenters. Jenni is a doll – so smart, funny, and kind. What a gifted writer! I had the great fortune of eating lunch with her at the Oklahoma City airport on the way home.

Here I am with Dr. Perri Applegate, who coordinated the Encyclomedia conference. What a BIG job! Perri, Elaine Regier and Vickie Hale from the State Department of Education were an absolute delight to work with. I was treated so well and the conference was so well coordinated and organized! I definitely hope to return!

I was lucky enough to see, meet and hang out with some wonderful authors and speakers. Here they are in alphabetical order:

* Jennifer Holm
* Gwendolyn Hooks
* Doug Johnson
* Mary Johnson
* Cynthea Liu
* Donna St. Cyr
* Tammi Sauer
* Barrie Summy
* Randy Testa
* Suzanne Morgan Williams

I didn’t get a picture with everyone but I can tell you that they are a fabulous group of people and we are lucky they are blessing the world with their many talents!

I was very fortunate to have the sweet Tammi Sauer, author of Chicken Dance in my Tell Along Tales workshop. I just fell in love with her, her warmth and her spirit. I asked her to perform her “Librarian” line dance for the group and she did (I helped too!). It was so much fun. Tammi, you rock!

Of course, I was completely and totally taken care of by my personal team from Libraries Unlimited (an imprint of ABC-Clio): Sharon Coatney, my editor, and Debby LaBoon, my author services manager (otherwise known as “The Author Angel”). Sharon and Debby not only know how to take care of me as an author, they are now close personal friends and I love those women!! Thank you also to Mary Ann, who kept my books stocked and who kept the booth running in tip top order.

I am so very blessed to be able to share my ideas with the world. Thank you to all the librarians, teachers, administrators, school counselors, paraprofessionals, and other authors who attended my sessions although there were so many other wonderful choices. I appreciate you all so much! You are fantastic! I hope to return to Encyclomedia next year!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I arrived in Oklahoma City today for the Encyclo-Media conference. I had to be at the airport this morning at 5am. When I checked in at the ticket counter (I had trouble with online check-in), the AA representative said, “The first officer for your flight just found out that his wife is in labor. We are going to re-route you through DFW on an earlier flight.” Great. That meant I arrived in Oklahoma City one hour sooner.

When I arrived at the gate, it was time to board – no waiting. On the flight, I was able to surf the web with AA’s new “GoGo” in-flight Internet service. (Be forewarned. It’s NOT free. Also, FYI – AA now charges $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second).

I connected in Dallas and didn’t wait long to board my next flight to OK. When I finally got to my room, I was exhausted from zero Zzzzzs the night before. So I had a glorious nap.

I woke up, worked, ordered room service, and then later, got ready for a dinner with the Encyclo-Media Conference Coordinators. I was having dinner with Elaine Regier, Perri Applegate and Vickie Hale (Oklahoma Department of Education), Doug Johnson (author & speaker), Mary Johnson (education consultant and speaker), and Randy Testa (Walden Media). Here we all are!

We were heading to Zio’s, an Italian restaurant in Bricktown. And we rode there in style – in a white stretch limousine! Reminds me of an 80s Sheila E Song – “She wants to lead the glamorous life…” LOL). See? “Okies” give you the royal treatment!!

Here I am with Doug Johnon inside the limo.

Dinner was delicious but dessert — now that was divine. We sampled several desserts but my favorite was the Italian Cream Cake. YUM! Here is a picture of my inspired table art…

At dinner, Elaine Regier was the first person to receive a signed copy of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, my gift to her. Here is the happy gang at dinner.

After dinner, I visited with my Libraries Unlimited editor, Sharon Coatney and the author services manager, Debby LaBoon. It was an enjoyable day. Tomorrow I have three presentations – Story Fest, Tangram Tales and Tell Along Tales. It will be so much fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

STORY CONNECTION EXPRESS
SEPTEMBER 2009
Keeping in touch with Author & Award-winning Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas
Connecting Kids and Literacy through the Arts
Theme: Characters with Character: Teaching through Tales
Copyright 2009 by Dianne de Las Casas

“I LOVE The Cajun Cornbread Boy. I purchased a copy at Circa in Baton Rouge and the illustrator autographed it for me. I cannot wait to get the next book! I was so sorry to miss you at Barnes and Nobles for the performance of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. Love the blog and YouTube.” – Jacquelyn Erwin-Fousse, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“As always, your newsletter is practical and inspiring! I so look forward to each and every issue! Your generous shout-out to other inspiring storytellers makes my heart smile! Thank you, Dianne for being such a vital presence in our world.” – Susan Coti, Virginia

“I really love your Story Connection newsletter and blog. We here at the Northshore Reading council were talking about you the other day and saying that we would love to have you back here in the spring for a storytelling event. Is it possible for you to grace us with your presence again at the Northshore Reading Council? We’d love to have you join us for a Spring dinner in 2010.” - Deanna Cantin, Northshore Reading Council

“Dianne, these ‘10 Tips to Make Back to School Cool’ are fantastic! Well done!! I’m so impressed.” – Ruth Barshaw McNally, Author of Ellie McDoodle

CONTENTS
Note from Dianne
Characters with Character: Teaching through Tales Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach Launch Party
Attention: Louisiana Children s Librarians!
New Contest: How FANtastic are You?
Get up to the minute news on Facebook “Fan of Dianne” Page
What’s New with Dianne?
New Blog Talk Radio Show -Together Time
New Creepy Crawly Card Games for Madame Poulet
Dianne’s Latest & Forthcoming Books
Visit Dianne’s Blog for New Articles
Connect with Dianne on Twitter & Facebook
Story: Goldie Locks and the Three Bears
Together Time Activity: Creepy Crawly Card Games
Dianne’s Kids Media Connection
Take A Look at This Book by Eliana
Upcoming Events
About Dianne de Las Casas

NOTE FROM DIANNE
Dear Friends,

Though I have not been traveling the past month, it has been quite busy. I finished writing Stories on Board! Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales and am now editing it and tweaking the book before I send the book off to my editor at Libraries Unlimited.

Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach has arrived! The book is stunning!! Marita Gentry s water color illustrations are vibrant and lively. Dusk end papers are scattered with creepy crawly cockroaches! Set in the French Quarter, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach live in a fine house. But Monsieur Roach is a trickster. Join the reading party and learn the New Orleans Pour Quoi? tale of why chickens and roaches are no longer friends! It s a great read aloud and I ve given it my signature storytelling style so you can bring it to life with your kids! Be sure to check out the TONS of book activities that accompany this book. http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet

Later this month, I have another book hitting the shelves: Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill. I LOVE the stories in this book! There are 25 ooky spooky stories for children of all ages. Learn how to tell a scary story! I worked especially hard to make this book of chillers and thrillers a classic collection of tell along tales. Preorder your copy from Libraries Unlimited http://www.lu.com in time for Halloween!

Speaking of Tell Along Tales It s my next book with Libraries Unlimited. Read all about it below!

I leave on Wednesday for Oklahoma to present at Encyclo-Media. The following week, I am the keynote speaker at the Tennessee Association of School Librarians Conference. This fall is busy with speaking engagements, performances, and lots of book signings. I can’t wait to see you down the road! I look forward to plenty of hugs from all the friends I get to see this fall!

Happy Tales to You!

Warmly,
Dianne

CHARACTERS WITH CHARACTER: TEACHING THROUGH TALES
By Dianne de Las Casas

On September 8, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama gave a back-to-school speech to students across America. You can access the speech here:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html

His speech, an inspirational pep talk, encouraged students to take personal responsibility for their educational success and to set goals. His speech was peppered with anecdotes and the stories of three different students. I plan my issues of Story Connection Express well in advance but this speech was a perfect segue into the theme of this issue: Characters with Character: Teaching through Tales.

Stories are a great way to teach values and generate discussions with your children. Simply telling a child, “No!” may not effectively convey your message. But try illustrating the concept with David Shannon’s book No, David! and you have an entirely different scenario. The book becomes a springboard for discussion and naturally teaches a lesson where admonishment falls short.

According to Character Counts, the six pillars of character are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship. Try using a story to teach character. Here are some ideas.

Personal/Childhood Stories
To warn my 9 year old daughter, Eliana, of the dangers of taking her own medicine and/or vitamins, I told the story of 19 year old daughter, Soleil, who was 4 at the time of this incident. Soleil decided that she would give herself her own medicine. She climbed on top of the counter and accessed her cough syrup with codeine. She drank the whole bottle, which was halfway full. When she told me what she had done, I immediately called poison control. They told me I had no time for an ambulance. I had to get her to the hospital right away and could not let her fall asleep (she could go into a coma). Imagine my panic! The story ends well. Soleil got her stomach pumped and Mom got her sanity back. The story illustrated a couple of lessons. 1) Respect – Listen to your parents. 2) Responsibility – Be responsible and accept help. Only let grown-ups administer medicine. The story worked better than if I had just told Eliana, “Don’t touch the medicine. It can be poisonous.” In fact, I t ell a lot of “Soleil Stories” to Eliana (Soleil was mischievous) and, fortunately, Eliana has taken them to heart and not repeated her sister’s mistakes! LOL

Trickster Tales
Trickster Tales are great for illustrating character traits. Both of my children s books, The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, are trickster tales. In The Cajun Cornbread Boy, the lesson to the gator, who tries to eat Cornbread Boy is: “playing tricks can backfire.” In Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, the lesson to Monsieur Roach, who parties while Madame Poulet is out working hard is: “being a trickster can come back to bite you.” Here are some trickster tales from my website:

“Anansi Shares Wisdom with the World” – St. Lucia
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=anansi
Summary: Anansi collects wisdom but wants to hoard it for himself.
Discuss: Respect, Friendship, Sharing

“The Singing Turtle” – Japan
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=singing_turtle
Summary: A lazy man steals a singing turtle from his brother.
Discuss: Laziness, Stealing, Consequences

Noodlehead Stories
Noodlehead stories are tales of fools. While the main character always seems to lack the wherewithal to get things right, there is always a lesson to be learned and often, with hilarity (i.e., “Jack Tales”).

“Jean Sotte” (Foolish John) – Louisiana, USA
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=jeansotte
Summary: Jean Sotte s mother asks him to fetch various items but Jean Sotte never does the right thing.
Discuss: Responsibility, Listening, Unconditional Love

Aesop Fables (Greece)
Aesop Fables were written with morals in mind. Aesop was a slave in ancient Greece. An astute observer of his surroundings, the animal characters in his stories are anthropomorphisized, taking on human characteristics. He used the natural tendencies of animals to focus on human traits and to teach lessons of wisdom.

“The Tortoise and the Hare”
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=tortoise
Summary: Hare challenges Tortoise to a race but believes he will win so he goofs off.
Discuss: Perseverance, Self-Initiative, Motivation, Laziness, Greed, Conceit

“The Lion and the Mouse”
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=lion_mouse
Summary: After Mouse is caught by Lion, he agrees to let her go. Later on, his generosity results in an enormous act of kindness.
Discuss: Kindness, Perseverance, Honesty, Keeping Promises, Friendship

Folktales
Folktales are stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. Many countries have similar folktales because the stories tend to travel from one storyteller to another. Most folktales have implied messages. Here are a couple of my favorites.

“Lazybones” – Laos
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=lazybones
Summary: Lazybones is so lazy that he lays under a fig tree and waits for figs to fall into his mouth. When his wife falls ill, he can no longer afford to be lazy.
Discuss: Laziness, Perseverance, Responsibility, Success, Love

“The Stubborn Turnip” – Russia
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=turnip
Summary: When Ma Farmer can t pull up a turnip, she enlists the help of everyone on the farm. It s no small surprise to learn that enormous efforts yield satisfying results!
Discuss: Teamwork, Cooperation, Initiative, Motivation, and Self-Belief

These stories can be used as springboards for your “Characters with Character” lessons. Use tales to teach!

For more stories, visit Dianne’s Story Collection
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=collection

Like this lesson? Bring Dianne to your school to give a dynamic professional development seminar.
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=booking

MADAME POULET & MONSIEUR ROACH LAUNCH PARTY
It’s going to be PAR-TAY! Join Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry at the book launch party for their new children s picture book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach at Octavia Books in New Orleans. Dianne will tell the hilarious story while Marita performs live illustration. There will be giveaways, cake, and even a few creepy crawly surprises. You don t want to miss this one!

What? Book Release Party!!
When? Saturday, October 3, 2009; 1:30pm-3:30pm
Where? Octavia Books, 513 Octavia Street, New Orleans, LA, 504-899-7323
Why? Because it s going to be the coolest place to be that day!
RSVP! dianne@storyconnection.net

ATTENTION: LOUISIANA CHILDREN’S LIBRARIANS!
This one s for you! I have dedicated Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach to all the special children s librarians in the great state of Louisiana. Here is the book dedication:

“For Louisiana s children s librarians, under whose wings I have grown.”

I love my librarian friends across the state in both public and school libraries in all 65 parishes! You were first my clients, then my fans, and now, most importantly, my friends. You have a sacred job – bringing books to kids! I cherish the work you do. You touch lives every day. Remember, the next book you hand to a child may be the book that changes his life or the book that inspires her to follow her dreams.

It was the books of my favorite children’s author, Roald Dahl, that inspired me to pursue my lifelong dream of being a children s author, and here I am. I got those books at the… LIBRARY! So keep doing what you do. It’s important work!

[Note from Dianne: Speaking of Roald Dahl, it is "Roald Dahl Month." On September 13, he turned 93 years old! Celebrate with activities on his website http://www.roalddahl.com/]

CONTEST! HOW FANTASTIC ARE YOU?!
Send in a creative picture of you, your child, or your classroom with one of Dianne s books or CDs. The winner will receive 2 copies of Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach (one for you, one to gift!), signed by author Dianne de Las Casas AND illustrator Marita Gentry. (Marita even draws a cool picture inside the book!) Post the pics to the “Fan of Dianne” wall http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne or email them to Dianne at dianne@storyconnection.net. Contest ends September 30, 2009 at 11:59pm CDT.

NEW BLOG TALK RADIO SHOW – TOGETHER TIME
Dianne now has a 15-minute weekly Blog Talk Radio Show called “Together Time – Creative Ideas for Grown-ups and Kids to Spend Time… Together” on Monday nights at 10pm CDT. Even if you miss it, you can always hear it on demand on my website, http://www.storyconnection.net, on the Facebook “Fan of Dianne” page. (http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne), and on iTunes for free!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dianne-de-las-casas/2009/09/15/together-time

GET UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS ON FACEBOOK “FAN OF DIANNE” PAGE
Can’t wait for the next Story Connection Express? Catch the latest news, articles, stories, activities, crafts and more on Dianne s Facebook Fan of Dianne page. http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne Plus, you can interact with Dianne by leaving comments and hearing back from her!

WHAT’S NEW WITH DIANNE?!
Author Copies of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach came in. The book is beautiful! Be sure to check Dianne’s calendar http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar for book signing events!

* Dianne’s story, “Bandana Man,” from her book, Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take, has been making the rounds in the Philippines courtesy of Zarah Gagatiga, Storyteller and Librarian. Thank you, Zarah!

* Zarah Gagatiga will be my co-author on a new book titled Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories for Libraries Unlimited’s World Folklore series. We are now putting the final touches on the book proposal.

* Dianne received a new book contract from Libraries Unlimited for Tell Along Tales! Playing with Participation Stories. It will be filled with tips, techniques and tellable tales on the art of audience participation.

* Dianne saw the dummy for The Gigantic Sweet Potato, her children’s book with Pelican Publishing illustrated by Marita Gentry. It s gorgeous! The Gigantic Sweet Potato is slated for a Fall 2010 release. http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/11/sneak-peek-of-the-gigantic-sweet-potato-friday-september-11-2009/

* Mama’s Bayou will be released in the Spring. Holly Stone-Barker, an amazing cut paper and collage artist, is illustrating. Holly is working on the book as we speak! Check out Holly’s art http://www.paperedmoon.com

* Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill will be out in October. To get your copy in time for Halloween, preorder it now! http://www.lu.com

DIANNE’S FALL BOOK SIGNING TOUR SCHEDULE

Book Signing and Launch of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Octavia Books (New Orleans, LA)
Saturday, October 3 at 1:30pm

Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach Book Signing
Sam’s Club #8221 (Harvey, LA)
Saturday, November 21 at 10:00am

Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach Story Time and Book Signing
Barnes & Noble Westbank (Harvey, LA)
Saturday, November 21 at 7:00pm

New Book Signing! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Metairie Sam’s Club (Airline Highway)
Sunday, November 22 at 9:00am

New Book Signing! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Kenner Sam’s Club
Sunday, November 22 at 4:00pm

New Book Signing! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Barnes and Noble Citiplace Baton Rouge
Friday, December 11 at 7:00pm

New Book Signing! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Slidell Sam’s Club #6220
Saturday, December 12 at 2:00pm

New Book Signing! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
Baton Rouge Sam’s Club #6527 (North Mall Drive)
Sunday, December 13 at 9:30am

NEW CREEPY CRAWLY CARD GAMES FOR MADAME POULET AND MONSIEUR ROACH
Visit our Book Activities page for Creepy Crawly Card Games. Scroll to the bottom and print out the cards along with instructions for 8 different card games! In addition, you can access a comprehensive study guide, scripts, coloring sheets, printable puppets, bookmarks and more!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet

Book Dianne for Fall 2009 or Spring 2010!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=booking

DIANNE’S LATEST & FORTHCOMING BOOKS
Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing, Fall 2009)
When Madame Poulet realizes her friend Monsieur Roach is a no-good lazy bug, who is taking advantage of her, it isn’t long before Madame Poulet puts an end to her roach problem for good. Illustrated by Marita Gentry, illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy.
ISBN 9781589806863

Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle & Thrill (Libraries Unlimited, Fall 2009)
A primer on how to tell spooky stories, the 25 tales are grouped by age appropriateness and include tips on how to tell them. Libraries Unlimited is rushing the book to production. It will be available in October.
ISBN: 9781591587323

Mama’s Bayou (Pelican Publishing, Spring 2010)
Mama rocks her baby to the symphony of sounds in the bayou. Illustrated in sophisticated cut paper and collage by Holly Stone-Barker, this sweet story is a rhythmic and picturesque stroll through the beautiful bayou. A perfect bedtime “lullabayou” tale!

The Gigantic Sweet Potato (Pelican Publishing, Fall 2010)
Heave ho! Heave ho! We ll pull this sweet potato, just a little more to go! One of Dianne s most popular tellable tales will now be a storytime read-aloud! Join Ma Farmer as she tries to pull up the gigantic sweet potato. Enlisting the help of Pa Farmer and a host of farm animals, everyone learns the value of teamwork and effort. Illustrated by Marita Gentry, the comical water color pictures will have everyone laughing.

Tell Along Tales: Playing with Participation Tales (Libraries Unlimited,Forthcoming)
Learn how to tell a story that involves your audience with fun participation, including sure-fire techniques on how to manage the crowd using Dianne’s signature “Warm-ups, Keep-Ups and Settle-Downs.” 25 Tell Along Tales from around the world are adapted for easy telling and annotated with suggestions.

Order Dianne’s children’s books now!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=store
Order Dianne s professional books http://www.lu.com

The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Spring 2009)
“When a lonely old woman decides to cook up a cornbread boy in her magic skillet, her too-generous use of cayenne pepper in the batter brings about unexpected results and sets the stage for this droll, Cajun-spiced retelling. This delectable, delightful retelling is accompanied by lively, appealing watercolor illustrations by Marita Gentry that capture the zest of the tale and the distinctive bayou setting.” – Robert D. San Souci, author of The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South
ISBN 9781589802247
Order now! http://storyconnection.net/?content=store

Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Spring 2009)
25 adapted world tales combine language arts and math through the use of tangrams and storytelling. Includes a tangram puzzle!
ISBN 9781591586524
Order now! http://www.lu.com

VISIT DIANNE’S BLOG & READ OTHER GREAT ARTICLES
Together Time Activity: Creating Love Coupons
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/08/31/together-time-activity-creating-love-coupons-august-31-2009/

Together Time Recipe: Popcorn Pancakes
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/08/30/together-time-recipe-popcorn-pancakes-august-30-2009/

Article: 5 Tips on How to Use Your Facebook Fan Page
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/08/28/article-5-tips-on-how-to-use-your-facebook-fan-page-effectively-august-28-2009/

Together Time Activity: Family Story Starters
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/08/23/together-time-family-story-starters/

CONNECT WITH DIANNE ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK
I’d love to connect with you on Twitter and Facebook! Join my Facebook Fan Club Page too.

Friend me! http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas
Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/storyconnection
Fan me! http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne

STORY: GOLDIE LOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
Adapted and retold by Dianne de Las Casas

Character traits to discuss: personal responsibility, honesty, care of others property

Deep in the forest, there lived tree bears. There was Papa Bear. There was Mama Bear. And there was Baby Bear.

BAM. BAM. BAM.
Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
Wee. Wee. Wee!

The Three Bears cooked bowls of porridge. The porridge was hot so they went for a walk.

BAM. BAM. BAM.
Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
Wee. Wee. Wee!

A pretty little girl named Goldie Locks was walking through the forest when she spied the Bear’s house. She went to the window and caught a whiff of that porridge so she decided to go inside.

La dee da. La dee da.

At the table, she saw three bowls of porridge. The first bowl of porridge was BIG. The second bowl of porridge was small. The third bowl of porridge looked just right so Goldie Locks took a great big bite.

Too big, too small
Just right, now bite!
La dee da. La dee da.

She loved the porridge so much that she gobbled it all up. After eating the yummy porridge, Goldie Locks wanted to relax. She went into the living room and saw three chairs. The first chair was BIG. The second chair was small. The third chair looked just right so Goldie Locks squeezed in tight.

Too big, too small.
Just right, sit tight.
La dee da. La dee da.

But the third chair CRACKED and Goldie Locks broke it, just like that. So Goldie Locks explored the cabin and saw three beds. The first bed was BIG! The second bed was small. The third bed looked just right so Goldie Locks snuggled in tight.

Too big, too small
Just right, sleep tight!
La dee da. La dee da.

As soon as Goldie Locks laid down her head, she fell asleep in the third bed. Meanwhile, the three Bears were on their way home.

BAM. BAM. BAM.
Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
Wee. Wee. Wee!

When they arrived home, they saw the table. Oh no! Baby Bear cried, “Papa, Mama, my porridge is gone! Wee wee wee!”

They went into the living room and saw their chairs. Baby Bear cried, “Papa, Mama, my chair is broken! Wee wee wee!”

They went into their rooms and saw their beds. Baby Bear cried, “Papa, Mama, my bed is full! Wee wee wee!”

Goldie Locks heard the ruckus and opened her eyes. Imagine her surprise!

Papa Bear said, “You didn’t have to eat all of Baby Bear’s porridge!”

Mama Bear said, “You didn’t have to break Baby Bear’s chair!”

And Baby Bear said, “You didn’t have to sleep in my bed! Wee. Wee. Wee!”

Well Goldie Locks jumped up lickety-split and jumped out of the window.

La dee da. La dee da.
La dee da. La dee da.

The three Bears never saw Goldie Locks again and you can be sure that Goldie Locks NEVER touched anything that didn’t belong to her.

La. Dee. Da!

Note: This tale is excerpted from Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales (Libraries Unlimited, 2010) by Dianne de Las Casas

For more stories, visit Dianne’s Story Collection
http://storyconnection.net/?content=collection

To book Dianne, visit http://storyconnection.net/?content=booking

TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: CREEPY CRAWLY CARD GAMES
Try these original card games created by Dianne de Las Casas. Print out the cards from Dianne’s website http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet. Scroll to the bottom. Print out four copies of each set on cardstock (there are two sets of six cards each). That will give you a deck of 48 cards. Be sure to print the background on the back of the cards as well. You can cut them on a paper cutter leaving a 1/8 white border around each card. The cards look like this:
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/13/madame-poulet-and-monsieur-roach-creepy-crawly-cards-sunday-september-13-2009/

Roach Party! (Original card game by Dianne de Las Casas)
Object: To be the first player to collect a hand of two Monsieur Roach cards and roach friend cards (no Madame Poulet cards in hand!).
2-4 Players

*After the cards are shuffled, the dealer distributes five cards to each player. Players look at their cards to determine what they need to gain and what they need to lose.
* The remaining cards are placed face-down as the draw pile.
* The player to the left of the dealer picks a random card from the dealer s hand. The dealer then pulls a card from the draw pile. This continues in a clockwise direction.
* When all the cards from the draw pile are pulled, the game continues with each player drawing a card from the player to his left.
* The first player to collect a hand that contains two Monsieur Roach cards and no chicken cards yells “Roach Party!” and wins.

Pass the Poulet! (Original card game by Dianne de Las Casas)
2-6 players
Object: To win by passing the Poulet (chicken) and collecting the most roach pairs for the party.

* After cards are shuffled, the dealer distributes five cards to each player. The undealt cards are placed face-down in a draw pile.
* Players immediately place pairs in front of them, face-up in the “Pair Party” pile.
* The player to the dealer s left begins by drawing a card from the draw pile.
* If she has a Monsieur Roach card and a Poulet card, she can yell “Pass the Poulet!” and pass her Poulet card to the game mate on her left. She then gets to steal a pair of roaches from each player’s “Pair Party” pile. The Monsieur Roach card is discarded in a pile next to the draw pile so it may not be played again.
* The game continues in this fashion moving in a clockwise direction.
* When all the Monsieur Roach cards are played, the game is over.
* Being left with Poulet in hand is a penalty (she crashes your party). For every Poulet card in a player’s hand, a pair must be subtracted from her Pair Party pile.
* Unplayed pairs in a player’s hand by the end of the game do not count in that player’s “Pair Party.”
* The player with the most roach party pairs wins.

DIANNE’S KIDS MEDIA CONNECTION
Books

The Magician’s Elephant
By Kate DiCamillo
Middle Grade Novel Ages 9-12
ISBN: 9780763644109
From beloved Newbery author Kate Dicamillo comes a moving story about unexpected magic, the power of dreams, and importance of family. Peter can hardly believe it when a fortuneteller tells him that yes, his sister is alive and that the elephant will lead the way. How can an elephant’s sudden appearance in an opera house change Peter’s life forever? A remarkable chain of events involves the intertwining lives of a magician, a noble woman, a manservant, a soldier, a policeman, a beggar, a dog, a nun, a sculptor, two children, and an elephant. Connected only by a thread of hope, they learn that sometimes, a simple truth can set you free and that love can bring people together.

Note: Kate DiCamillo is embarking on a nationwide tour to promote The Magician’s Elephant. Learn more on her website at http://www.katedicamillo.com/
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-the-magicians-elephant-by-kate-dicamillo-monday-september-14-2009/

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity: A Brixton Brothers Mystery
By Mac Barnett
Middle Grade Novel Ages 9-12
ISBN: 9781416988106
Steve Brixton is obsessed with the Bailey Brothers, sibling sleuths who are the 1950s stars of fifty-eight detective books. After reading all their books, Steve is practically a detective himself. It all begins in the library. Without warning, a covert team of secret agent librarians begin hunting him down. Steve learns that he is in the midst of a national secret involving a stolen quilt. Wanted for a crime he didn’t commit, Steve must solve the mystery in a jiffy to clear his name before time and his library card run out. The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity is full of non-stop action and laugh out loud fun. Reluctant readers and adventure seekers will never look at the library the same way again. Available October 6, 2009.
http://www.brixtonbrothers.com
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-the-case-of-the-case-of-mistaken-identity-by-mac-barnett-monday-september-14-2009/

Great Games: 175 Games & Activities for Families, Groups & Children
By Matthew Toone
All Ages
ISBN: 9780979834554
Great Games is a brand new book and an excellent resource for together time! Low-cost, easy-to-implement games are grouped into indoor and outdoor family and group games, and indoor and outdoor children’s games. Games like “Fo Shizzle My Nizzle,” “Grocery Store ABC Game,” and “I Have Never” keep group games fast-paced and fun. Classic games like “Red-Rover Red-Rover” and “Hide and Seek” remind grown-ups of the childhood games they need to play with their children. There are even modern updates of family favorites such as “Digital Scavenger Hunt” and “Modified Horseshoes.” Matthew Toone provides easy-to-understand instructions with simple spot illustrations. Great Games is perfect for promoting teamwork, health competition, and good sportsmanship. With the high cost of outside entertainment (movies, theme parks, and entertainment complexes), group game night is just the right prescription for recession blues. Fun doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. For a mere $16, you can entertain an entire group for days with the games inside Great Games.
http://www.greatgamesbook.com
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-great-games-by-matthew-toone/

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS BOOK
By Eliana, 9 years old, Fourth Grade

Stone Pizza
By Susan K. Mitchell
Illustrated By McNevin Hayes
Picture Book Ages 3-9
ISBN: 9781891795268
This story is about a coyote and other hungry desert animals. Coyote wants stone pizza. When he says he wants stone pizza, the other animals peek out of their hiding places. First coyote says that he needs some flour. A raccoon offers flour to the coyote, in return for a slice of stone pizza. The coyote keeps asking for pizza ingredients and the animals continue to give him the ingredients if he promises to share his pizza. Once the stone pizza is ready to eat, the stubborn horn toad offers a cricket to put on the stone pizza. The coyote tells the horn toad to save it for his slice of stone pizza. When it is finished, all the animals eat the stone pizza. The illustrations by McNevin Hayes are fun and bright. My favorite part of the book is the end when Horn Toad says, “I bet we can use that stone to make Prickly Pear Pie.” Coyote says, “Let’s get cookin!” Stone Pizza a great book to teach teamwork, sharing, and friendship.
http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-by-eliana-stone-pizza-by-susan-k-mitchell-monday-september-14-2009/

UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to find out where Dianne is performing? Check out Dianne s continually updated performance calendar on her website at http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar

ABOUT DIANNE DE LAS CASAS
Full of contagious energy, author, multi-award winning storyteller and recording artist Dianne de Las Casas sizzles on stage with “traditional folklore gone fun!” and “revved-up storytelling!” Audiences don’t just listen they sing, clap, chant and roar! Childhood travels around the world helped shape her future as a storyteller. Dianne lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Spain and traveled across Europe and the United States. Her varied cultural experiences nourish her imagination, and she continues to draw on that knowledge, adding depth and richness to her tales. Dianne travels internationally performing and presenting programs, workshops, educator/librarian professional development workshops, and artist residencies.

Thank you for subscribing to Story Connection Express.

Warmly,
Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas
The Story Connection
Author & Award-winning Storyteller
P.O. Box 2656
Harvey, LA 70059
(504) 368-1831
dianne@storyconnection.net
http://www.storyconnection.net

Parents, Teachers & Librarians, sign up for Story Connection Express, a FREE monthly e-zine filled with articles, media reviews, story of the month, super ideas for spending time with your kids, and more! http://www.storyconnection.net

Catch her blog at http://www.storyconnection.net/blog

“Connecting Kids and Learning Through the Arts”

Books:
Tell Along Tales: Playing with Participation Stories (Libraries Unlimited; forthcoming)
The Gigantic Sweet Potato (Pelican Publishing Co., Fall 2010)
Mama’s Bayou (Pelican Publishing Co., Spring 2010)
Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing Co., Fall 2009)
Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales (Libraries Unlimited, 2010)
Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill (Libraries Unlimited, Fall 2009)
The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Pelican Publishing Co., 2009)
Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Teacher Ideas Press, 2009)
The Story Biz Handbook (Libraries Unlimited, 2008)
Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take (Teacher Ideas Press, 2007)
Kamishibai Story Theater: The Japanese Art of Picture Telling (Teacher Ideas Press 2006)
Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts (Teacher Ideas Press 2005)
Telling Stories to Children (contributing author) (National Storytelling Press 2005)

Recordings:
Jump, Jiggle & Jam ~ A Rhythmic Romp through Story Land
2006 NAPPA Honors Award
2006 Children s Music Web Award
Rave Review in School Library Journal (SLJ Audio of the Week )
Rave Review in Publishers Weekly

World Fiesta ~ Celebrations in Story and Song
2005 Children s Music Web Award
Rave review in ALA Booklist
School Library Journal “Audio of the Week”

Jambalaya ~ Stories with Louisiana Flavor
2004 iParenting Media Award
2004 Children’s Music Web Award
2005 Storytelling World Award for “The Ghost of Jean Lafitte”
Rave reviews in School Library Journal & AudioFile Magazine

Stone Pizza
By Susan K. Mitchell
Illustrated By McNevin Hayes
Picture Book Ages 3-9
ISBN: 9781891795268

This story is about a coyote and other hungry desert animals. Coyote wants stone pizza. When he says he wants stone pizza, the other animals peek out of their hiding places. First coyote says that he needs some flour. A raccoon offers flour to the coyote, in return for a slice of stone pizza. The coyote keeps asking for pizza ingredients and the animals continue to give him the ingredients if he promises to share his pizza. Once the stone pizza is ready to eat, the stubborn horn toad offers a cricket to put on the stone pizza. The coyote tells the horn toad to save it for his slice of stone pizza. When it is finished, all the animals eat the stone pizza. The illustrations by McNevin Hayes are fun and bright. My favorite part of the book is the end when Horn Toad says, “I bet we can use that stone to make Prickly Pear Pie.” Coyote says, “Let’s get cookin!” Stone Pizza a great book to teach teamwork, sharing, and friendship.

Review by Eliana, 9 years old, 4th grade