Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
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
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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.
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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
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“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
