September 2009

Together Time Activity: Playing Games

by dlcasas on September 14, 2009

Eliana and Antonio playing Fairytale Frenzy 9-14-09

Eliana and Antonio playing Fairytale Frenzy 9-14-09

TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: PLAYING GAMES!
Games are a great way to bring people together. Games are also a great way to teach teamwork, discipline, cooperation, initiative, strategy, and good sportsmanship. Here some ideas.

* Organize a monthly family game night.

* Pull out favorite board games you played as a child and teach them to your children. Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Sorry, Yahtzee, Life, Battleship, Chinese Checkers, Clue, and Connect Four.

* For younger kids, play simpler games like Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Mouse Trap, and Hungry Hungry Hippo.

* Engage in hilarious games that use the body like Twister and Charades.

* Group games are tons of fun. Try Catch Phrase, Pictionary, and Balderdash.

* Check out the book Great Games by Matthew Toone. http://storyconnection.net/blog/2009/09/14/book-review-great-games-by-matthew-toone/

* Card games are great for critical thinking, strategy and thinking on your feet. Try Go Fish, Slap Jack, Gin Rummy, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, PIG or DONKEY, Battle, and Cheat!

* Outdoor group games are perfect for picnics and family get-togethers. Try Duck Duck Goose, Red Rover, Red Light Green Light, Hide and Seek, Freeze Tag and Dodge Ball. Not only are they fun – they are great exercise too!

* Moms, try playing hand games with your kids. “Down by the Riverside,” “Welcome to McDonald’s,” “Numbers,” and “Apple on a Stick” are fun ways to pass the time at the doctor’s office or any time you have to wait with your kids.

* You can also try your hand at creating your own board game or card game. In my family, we love to play a game I created called Fairytale Frenzy. You can even play Creepy Crawly Card Games based on my children’s book, Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach. http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet Scroll to the bottom to print out instructions and the creepy crawly cards.

* Next year, my book, Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales, will be published by Libraries Unlimited. It will provide parents and teachers with a technique to turn a favorite story into a fun board game!

Note: The above commercial board games are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

There are so many great games you can play with your kids. Together time is fun and games!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Together Time Game: Creepy Crawly Card Games; Monday, September 14, 2009

by dlcasas on September 14, 2009

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Cards Closeup

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Cards Closeup

Friends:

The other day, I posted a blog letting you know that Marita Gentry (Illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy) and I have created some very cool cards to accompany our newest children’s picture book, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. We created playing cards based on the characters in the book for children to play with at home, in the classroom, or in the library. The cards are now available for printing and download from my website. You can find them here in the Book Activities section. Scroll to the bottom.

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

You’ll need to print the cards as well as the instructions. I have adapted the cards to play the following games:

* Madame Poulet Memor (based on Memory or Concentration)
* Slap Roach! (based on Slap Jack)
* Old Hen (based on Old Maid)
* Go Roach (based on Go Fish!)
* Crazy Chicken (based on Crazy Eights)
* H-E-N or R-O-A-C-H (a variation based on P-I-G or D-O-N-K-E-Y)

There are two original games I created as well:

* Roach Party!
* Pass the Poulet!

The games are so much fun! Try them out!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Review: Great Games by Matthew Toone

by dlcasas on September 14, 2009

9-14-09 Eliana with Great Games by Matthew Toone

9-14-09 Eliana with Great Games by Matthew Toone

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 full of raucous laughter. Simple, traditional games such as “Hide & Seek,” “Musical Chairs,” and “Red-Rover Red-Rover” 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 fun games inside Great Games.
http://www.greatgamesbook.com

Reviewed by: Dianne de Las Casas

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Book Review: The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo; Monday, September 14, 2009

by dlcasas on September 14, 2009

9-14-09 Eliana with The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

9-14-09 Eliana with The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

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/

Reviewed by: Dianne de Las Casas

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Book Review: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett; Monday, September 14, 2009

by dlcasas on September 14, 2009

9-14-09 Eliana with The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

9-14-09 Eliana with The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
A Brixton Brothers Mystery
By Mac Barnett
Middle Grade Novel
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

Reviewed by: Dianne de Las Casas

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Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach Creepy Crawly Cards – Sunday, September 13, 2009

by dlcasas on September 13, 2009

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Card Game

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Card Game

Friends:

I am so very excited! Marita Gentry (Illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy) and I have created some very cool cards to accompany our newest children’s picture book, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Our concept was to create playing cards based on the characters in the book for children to play with at home, in the classroom, or in the library. Well, the cards came out better than I imagined, thanks to Marita’s genius artistic talent. They are so versatile! So far, I have adapted the cards to play the following games:

* Madame Poulet Memor (based on “Memory” or “Concentration”)
* Slap Roach! (based on “Slap Jack”)
* Old Hen (based on “Old Maid”)
* Go Roach (based on “Go Fish”)
* Crazy Chicken (based on “Crazy Eights”)

Here is a closeup of some of the cards.

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Cards Closeup

9-13-09 Creepy Crawly Cards Closeup

I am working on developing some new original card games as well. The downloadable, printable cards as well as the instructions will be available in the “Book Activities” section of my website soon. My webmaster is working on getting them up. I’ll let you know when they are up!

See? Reading can be fun and games!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Dianne Receives New Postcards – Friday, September 11, 2009

by dlcasas on September 13, 2009

9-13-09 New Postcard for Dianne de Las Casas

9-13-09 New Postcard for Dianne de Las Casas

Friends:

My new postcards, featuring my new books, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill, just came in. They are beautiful. My graphic designer, Philip Chow, did a wonderful job as usual!

Let me know if you want one and I will be happy to send one to you by snail mail. :)

Until next time…

Warmly,
Dianne

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Facebook “Fan of Dianne” Friday Fanfare; September 11, 2009

by dlcasas on September 11, 2009

Pulling up the gigantic sweet potato...

Pulling up the gigantic sweet potato...

Facebook “Fan of Dianne” Friday Fanfare
Keeping in Touch with Author & Award-winning Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas
September 11, 2009

Note from Dianne:
Friends, thank you so much for being a “Fan of Dianne!” I now have 421 fans. Thank you so much for your support. I <3 U!

Today is the 8th Anniversary of 9/11. Let’s all pause a moment to remember and honor those who lost their lives on this fateful day in United States History.

Each Friday, you will receive a short update (Friday Fanfare) letting you know what’s new on the Fan Page. I want “Fan of Dianne” to be a place where you can get cool ideas, interact with me, and have fun! If you REALLY love me, you can sign up for SMS updates. This means that when content is updated on “Fan of Dianne,” you will receive a text message on your phone.

I look forward to hearing from you! Laissez les bon livres rouler! Let the good books roll! -Dianne de Las Casas

What’s New?!
* Author Copies of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach came in. The book is beautiful! Be sure to check Dianne’s calendar for book signing events!
* 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 and Monsieur Roach, 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, send them via Facebook message or email them to Dianne at dianne@storyconnection.net. Contest ends September 30, 2009 at 11:59pm CDT.
* Dianne now has a 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 “Fan of Dianne” page, and on iTunes for free!
* 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!
* 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.

Get in the Spirit!
Tell your friends about “Fan of Dianne” and encourage them to join the party! Send this link – http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne There is also a new fan box on Dianne’s regular Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas so people can get to the fan page from there too!

Got a picture with Dianne? Or a cool picture reading one of Dianne’s books? Post it to the wall. You can post videos too!

Cheers for Dianne’s Fans:
Hip Hip Hooray! for:
* Zarah Gagatiga for spreading the joy of The Bandana Man (AKA The Handkerchief Man) throughout the Philippines
* Zarah Gagatiga, Percy Gapas, Ally Hoadley, Veronica L. C. Stevenson-Moudamane and Liz Smith Parkhurst for leaving wonderful comments on the “Fan of Dianne” wall
* Dianne’s new fans… 22 since last week! You are FANtastic!

Meet & Greet!
You can find out where Dianne is signing books by checking the calendar. Purchase a book and get a signed reading poster!

Dianne de Las Casas
Author & Award-Winning Storyteller
The Story Connection
dianne@storyconnection.net
storyconnection@gmail.com
http://www.storyconnection.net
http://www.storyconnection.net/blog
Friend me! http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas
Fan me! http:/www.facebook.com/fanofdianne
Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/storyconnection

Books:
Mama’s Bayou (Pelican Publishing; Spring 2010)
The Gigantic Sweet Potato (Pelican Publishing; 2010)
Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing; Fall 2009)
Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales (Libraries Unlimited; 2010)
Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill (Libraries Unlimited; Spring 2010)
The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Pelican Publishing Co., 2009) ISBN 1-58980-224-1
The Story Biz Handbook: Managing Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Libraries Unlimited; 2008) ISBN 978-1-59158-730-9
Tangram Tales: Story Theater using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Teacher Ideas Press; 2008) 978-1-59158-652-6
Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take (Libraries Unlimited; 2007) ISBN 978-1-59158-536-7
Kamishibai Story Theater: The Art of Picture Telling (Teacher Ideas Press; 2006) ISBN 1-59159-404-3
Story Fest: Craft Story Theater Scripts (Teacher Ideas Press; 2005) ISBN 1-59469-009-X

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Sneak Peek of The Gigantic Sweet Potato; Friday, September 11, 2009

by dlcasas on September 11, 2009

The Gigantic Sweet Potato

The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Friends:

Yesterday, I was privileged to see the whole dummy for The Gigantic Sweet Potato, my children’s picture book illustrated by Marita Gentry. It will be published by Pelican Publishing Company and is slated for a Fall 2010 release. The book is adorable! I love the illustrations!

Book Summary: Ma Farmer plants a wonderful garden. When her sweet potato grows into a GIGANTIC specimen, she needs help pulling it out. Pa Farmer and the farm animals help but it’s not enough. Find out how a mighty effort from one of nature’s smallest creatures yields a GIGANTIC surprise.

Take a sneak peek!

Pulling up the gigantic sweet potato...

Pulling up the gigantic sweet potato...

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach Author Copies Arrive – Wednesday, September 9, 2009

by dlcasas on September 9, 2009

Eliana with Madame Poulet and Monsieur author copies 9-9-09

Eliana with Madame Poulet and Monsieur author copies 9-9-09

Friends:

09/09/09 must be my lucky day! I have my author copies of my new children’s book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, in hand! The book is gorgeous and even has roaches crawling on the end papers. Marita Gentry’s illustrations are so vivid and colorful. I love the way the story lays out. It’s a great read aloud!

I hope you will join Marita and me at one of our many book signings this Fall. Check my calendar for an event near you! http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar

Until next time…

Warmly,
Dianne

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