October 2010

Halloween Trick-O-Trunk at St. Martha’s Church – Saturday, October 30, 2010

by dlcasas on October 31, 2010

10-30-10 La Familia Fiesta!

Friends:

Since Halloween falls on a Sunday during a Saints Game, our church decided to hold their annual Trick-O-Trunk event on Saturday, October 30, 2010. We all got ready…

10-30-10 Dianne in full Flamenco costume

Our theme this year was “Hola from Southern Spain.”

10-30-10 Dianne and Eliana... Fiesta Flamenca!

Antonio dressed up as “El Matador,” the bullfighter.

10-30-10 La Senorita and El Matador

Trick-O-Trunk is when people park their cars in the church parking lot, decorate the trunks, and kids go trick-o-treating from trunk to trunk.

10-30-10 A groovy graveyard trunk at St. Martha's Trick-O-Trunk

There is a DJ, food, and even a haunted house!

10-30-10 A princess ballerina gets her groove on

The kids love playing spooky games. It’s a big fun fall festival.

10-30-10 Kids play the magic pumpkin

Everyone comes dressed in costume! Families get into the theme…

10-30-10 My brother's family of super heros with one villain, Joker's Harlequin Henchman

Check out this mother and her baby… So cute!

10-30-10 Mary had a little cranky lamb...

We took trips to the Wonderful World of Oz, we walked the plank, and we even traveled down the rabbit hole!

10-30-10 Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter

Halloween is so full of imagination! LOL

10-30-10 A giant Woopie Cushion

The kids had fun trick-o-treating and giving away candy! Notice my spooky backdrop in the background…

10-30-10 Camrynn and Eliana pass out candy at Trick-O-Trunk

Eliana loves hanging out with her friends!

10-30-10 Zombie Cheerleader Tina, Batgirl Camrynn & Flamenca Eliana at Trick-O-Trunk

Eliana and I even met some fellow Flamenco dancers! :)

10-30-10 A whole Flamenco dancing troupe!

My brother was Batman, the Dark Knight and he had people line up to take pictures with him! Too bad we didn’t charge a fee. LOL

10-30-10 My brother, Gary, is Batman, the Dark Knight

It was a blast and everyone had a great time!!

10-30-10 A bull charges the Matador!

I love how holidays bring the generations together…

10-30-10 Nana and Eliana Bonita

Well now, it’s Halloween and this Senorita is off for more frightful festivities and the Boo Dat (Who Dat!) Saints game…

10-30-10 Dianne poses with Paw Paw Clay in the background

Adios for now… BOO DAT!

Warmly, Dianne

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Eliana’s Halloween Spookover – Friday, October 29, 2010

by dlcasas on October 31, 2010

10-29-10 The Spookover Table

Friends:

Eliana had her annual Spookover (a spooky sleepover). It was so much fun! I LOVE decorating so…

10-29-10 The Spookover table centerpiece - a haunted mansion

I dolled up the table with a haunted house theme. Everything was spooktacular!

10-29-10 Individual place setting at the Spookover table

I love the goblets!! Here’s a toast to the ghost with the most…

10-29-10 Make no bones about it... it's a party to wake the dead!

We served witches brew filled with green goo. Delightful and frightful!

10-29-10 A cauldron full of witches brew

The girls were so adorable! Love these costumed cuties!

10-29-10 The costumed cuties at Eliana's Spookover

First, they went on a door-to-door scavenger hunt through the neighborhood. People thought they were trick or treaters or sales girls. LOL Nobody does scavenger hunts anymore!

10-29-10 Camrynn and Eliana are on a Halloween scavenger hunt

Then they played all kinds of games including Candy Corn Drop, Ghoulish Card Games and Candy Corn Relay.

10-29-10 Eliana plays Candy Corn Drop

The girls made candy necklaces and decorated pumpkins for a contest.

10-29-10 Jack-O-Pumpkins await judgment in the pumpkin decorating contest

Here is the winner of the “Spookiest” pumpkin category.

10-29-10 Winner of the Spookiest Pumpkin Creation

At the end of the night, the girls made Super Sundaes at our Spookover Sundae Bar, popped kettle corn, and watched How to Train Your Dragon.

10-29-10 Eliana's super sundae from the Spookover Sundae Bar

It was so much fun!! We had a monster good time!

10-29-10 The monster cupcakes

Boo to you!

10-29-10 Super creative pumpkin!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Terror on the Teche Storytelling, New Iberia, LA – Saturday, October 23, 2010

by dlcasas on October 26, 2010

10-23-10 Dianne is feeling very Witchy...

Friends:

On Saturday night, it was on to New Iberia, where I was the featured entertainment at Terror-on-the-Teche, an annual Halloween event sponsored by the Iberia Parish Library and Shadows-on-the-Teche. I love the atmosphere of the place. It’s on the grounds of the haunted mansion, under towering oaks draped with Spanish moss. There is a genuine cemetery when you enter the gates!! Families come and sit on benches or blankets on the grass. It’s a spooktacular site for scary stories! I love how everyone comes dressed in costume. Such spirit! (Or is it spirits?!!)

10-23-10 What a cute crowd at Shadows-on-the-Teche!

I told my new children’s book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, “We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt,” “The Strange Visitor,” “Who Took My Money?,” “The Headless Priest: A True Ghost Story,” and closed with “A Dark, Dark Night.” I enjoyed every minute and the time flew by so quickly! My daughter, Eliana, and her longtime family friend, Rebecca, enjoyed themselves immensely.

10-23-10 Dianne poses with fans. Eliana and Rebecca are in the back.

Gail Garcia and Kristie Rose are two spectacular ladies. Gail, you are FANTASTIC and soooo cute! LOVED your Dorothy from Wizard of Oz costume! I can’t believe your mother made that for you! Thank you for inviting me again! Kristie, thank you for your vivacious attitude and gracious spirit!

10-23-10 Kristie Rose, Dianne de Las Casas and Gail Garcia. Iberia Parish Library rocks!

After our spooks and spectres in the Shadows, we went to Duffy’s Diner with Gail. It has become our tradition when we are in New Iberia. It’s an honest-to-goodness 50s diner and all the wait staff dresses in poodle skirts. There is a juke box, a radio flyer red wagon, and even Elvis and Marilyn!

10-23-10 Elvisana, thank you. Thank you very much.

Here’s Rebecca…

10-23-10 Is that Rebecca with Devilish Elvis and Angelic Marilyn?

Check out this delicious looking shake!!

10-23-10 Rebecca's Pink Cadillac float!

The next day, when I was checking out of our hotel, I saw that I made the front page!! How cool is that?!

10-24-10 Haunting Storytelling article in The Daily Iberian, New Iberia, Louisiana

Then I discovered that Eliana and Rebecca made it in the paper too!!

10-23-10 Haunting Storytelling article cont'd in The Daily Iberian, New Iberia, LA

What a great way to end our visit to New Iberia!! If you want to read the article in its entirety, here it is… http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2010/10/24/news/doc4cc3b0b81eaef686126386.txt

Until next time… BOO!

Warmly, Dianne

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The Gigantic launch of The Gigantic Sweet Potato at Cherry Books, Thibodaux, LA – Saturday, October 23, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-23-10 Marita draws Ma Farmer in The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Friends:

We launched The Gigantic Sweet Potato on the bayou in Thibodaux, Louisiana at Cherry Books. We had such an awesome crowd! Marita illustrated the story live as I performed it with interactive participation from the kids in the audience. Boy, did we have fun pullling that gigantic sweet potato!

10-23-10 Everyone helps pulling up The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Not only was every kid a character in the story, every kid was a character!! I love how interactive this story is both with dramatic role playing and the rhythmic refrain that repeats throughout the story. Marita’s illustrations amaze me every time. She keeps in time with the story, drawing her little heart out… FAST!

10-22-10 Marita draw Lily Mouse in The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Sometimes, I wish I could sit down and just watch her draw! What a talent!

10-23-10 Marita draws Lily Mouse with a gigantic piece of sweet potato pie

When the story was finished, there was a surprise for the audience… All the pictures lined up to create a scene in the book of everyone helping pull up the gigantic sweet potato. Then the kids holding the pictures got to keep the illustrations! How cool is that?!

10-23-10 All Marita's illustrations lined up to show a picture of everyone pulling up The Gigantic Sweet Potato. WOW!

The kids created Sweet Potato Pals and lined up to have their books, drawings and posters signed.

10-23-10 A sweetie pie shows her Sweet Potato Pal

It was great to see old friends and new faces too! We had a great crowd at Cherry Books, our biggest yet!

10-23-10 Dianne and Marita pose with the coolest fans!

Of course, we can’t forget that we wrote other books too. Cajun Cornbread Boy had to get his 5 minutes!! :)

10-23-10 Sweet Petite holds Cajun Cornbread Boy. Awwww!

Everyone showed such enthusiasm and creativity!!

10-23-10 Yes, Nerds are Sweet Potato Pals too...

A special thank you to Eliana, my little farm girl, who was such a GIGANTIC help the past couple of days with my book launches! Eliana, you are a cutie patootie pie!

10-23-10 Farmer Eliana

Another gracious thank you to Cherry Books. Marita and I appreciate your welcoming us to your store with every new book! Merci beaucoup!!

Sweet reads! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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GIGANTIC book launch of Gigantic Sweet Potato at Barnes & Noble Citiplace, Baton Rouge, LA – Friday, October 22, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-22-10 The sign outside Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge

Friends:

The day finally arrived! It was our GIGANTIC Baton Rouge book launch of The Gigantic Sweet Potato, my new book illustrated by the incomparable Marita Gentry. Barnes & Noble was ready! There was signage everywhere. The stage area in the children’s section was cleared and my books were set up. Wow!

10-22-10 Look at all of my books lined up behind me! Too cool!

As has become our “signature” method, Marita and I performed the story together. She illustrated while I told the story with rousing audience participation.

10-22-10 Marita Gentry draws Ma Farmer in The Gigantic Sweet Potato

It was amazing to see the story come together and we had sooooo much fun!

10-22-10 Kids from the audience participate in the story and help pull The Gigantic Sweet Potato

What amazes me about Marita is how fast she can draw! And the characters always look consistent! Here’s the really cool part… when the drawings from The Gigantic Sweet Potato are lined up, they form a scene in the book where everyone helps pull up the sweet potato!

10-22-10 When the drawings line up, they form a page in the book of everyone pulling The Gigantic Sweet Potato! Marita is sooo clever!

Afterward, we gave away fun prizes and the kids got to make Sweet Potato Pals!

10-22-10 Lainie creates a perfect Sweet Potato Pal!

Then it was time to sign books, drawings and posters. We had an eager, patient crowd.

10-22-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry sign books, drawings, posters and meet and greet their fans

The really cool part is that the staff of Barnes & Noble dressed up as farmers to promote the event! How awesome is that?!!

10-22-10 Dianne and Marita pose with the staff of Barnes & Noble, all dressed like farmers! Yee haw!

Abby Hannie, the Community Relations Manager, orchestrated this fabulous idea!! Yay, Abby!! I just LOVE Barnes & Noble Citiplace!

10-22-10 Abby Hannie, B&N CRM with her cute daughters! Oops, we lost one under the farmer's hat...

We have the best booksellers and we have the best fans ever!!

10-22-10 Dianne, Marita and Alyson Guidry, a long time fan and friend!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported Marita and me. We had the best time!! I look forward to my next event at Barnes & Noble Citiplace!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Spooky Storytelling at Gibson Elementary – Wednesday, October 20, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-20-10 Telling spooky stories at Gibson Elementary through the Gibson Branch Library of Terrebonne Parish Libraries

Friends:

It was so much fun visiting Gibson Elementary. My visit was sponsored by the Terrebonne Parish Library Gibson Branch through a grant from the Arts Council. I saw the whole school from PK through 4th grade.

10-20-10 The students love spooky stories!

We dimmed the lights and I told a melange of tales to tickle and thrill and they loved it. It was a blast! I just LOVE telling spooky stories!! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!

10-20-10 A close up of my Witchy hat...

A special thank you to Charlotte Celestine, who invites me to Gibson year after year. You rock, Charlotte!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Louisiana Reading Association Conference – Tuesday, October 19, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-19-10 I took the scenic route to Marksville. So picturesque!

Friends:

I returned from California late Monday night. I had a few hours at home and then had to drive about 4 hours to Marksville, Louisiana to sign books at the Louisiana Reading Association Conference. I took the scenic route and really enjoyed the picturesque drive.

The conference was held at the Paragon Casino in Marksville. I was busy almost from the moment I sat down at the Pelican Publishing table. I met lots of wonderful librarians and teachers and got to see lots of old friends too! Here is a fun picture of me with a crew from St. Mary Parish.

10-20-10 Librarians and teachers from St. Mary Parish at the Louisiana Reading Association Conference in Marksville, LA

I couldn’t stay because it was one of my busiest weeks. October is always crazy so I got back on the road. The drive back was just as pretty!

10-19-10 My drive home through Point Coupee Parish... gorgeous!

It sure does make me appreciate the beauty of my Louisiana…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Dianne’s Southern California Visit – October 14-18, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-16-10 Me and my BFF, Fe Reyes DelRosario!!

Friends:

After staying in Lancaster, California with my BFF, Fe DelRosario, for a few days, it was time to explore other parts of SoCal. I decided to head to Newport Beach, California. I had never been there and I was meeting a dear friend from high school, Lanie Reyes Alvarez

.

We met for lunch at the Rusty Pelican, a bayside restaurant two blocks from my hotel. Since my children’s book publisher is Pelican, I thought this was a good sign! (No pun intended. LOL)

10-14-10 Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach, California

We had a fabulous lunch that overlooked Newport Bay. Although it was overcast, it did not darken our spirits. It was so much fun that Lanie ended up spending 3 nights with me! Loved catching up and chilling with my friend!

10-14-10 Newport Bay, California

After a night in Newport Beach and a night in Pasadena, I headed south to San Diego.

10-16-10 On my way to San Diego!

After getting through L.A. (the traffic is horrendous), it was a pretty drive. There were parts I could even see the beautiful ocean! I was heading to San Marcos to visit Fe’s family. Her parents are like second parents to me. :)

10-17-10 Meg and Ed, my second parents

And check out the Filipino food! Woo hoo! They were celebrating birthdays in the family (Happy Birthday Merissa and Justin!).

10-14-10 Filipino Food at the Reyes house in San Marcos, CA

I got to hang out with my friends and have a fabulous time visiting. What a trip!

10-16-10 That's a lot of good looking people!

Thank you to Fe, Ernie, Lanie, Merlynn, Tita Meg, Papa Ed, and the whole gang! I love you all!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Dianne’s Nickelodeon Animation Studio Visit – Friday, October 15, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-15-10 Me with SpongeBob SquarePants at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, CA

Friends:

On Friday, October 15, 2010, I was supposed to meet my friend Samantha Berger, who works at Nickelodeon Animation Studios and is a fabulous children’s book author http://www.samanthaberger.com. Unfortunately, something came up and Samantha was unable to meet me but she arranged for me to have a tour of the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. Jesse Klausmeier, Sam’s assistant, who is also my friend and a fellow children’s book author, gave me the grand tour.

10-15-10 Nickelodeon Animation Studios!

It was really cool being in the environment where iconic cartoons like Dora and SpongeBob are created.

10-15-10 Look, it's Dora, Boots and Backpack!

As expected, the studio is colorful with huge pops of their iconic cartoon art everywhere. Even the furniture makes a splash! :)

10-15-10 Now that's what I call a seat!

There is a basketball court inside the building that doubles as a presentation auditorium. They also have a gorgeous picnic area outside and when I visited, the entire studio was in the midst of turning itself into one grand haunted house with several sections! I wish I could have seen the final transformation! I was privy to some really cool insider info… Here is some original art from one of my favorite shows, The Fairly Odd Parents. As you can see, a lot has changed since the show was first pitched!

10-15-10 Original art of the Fairly Odd Parents - one of the first storyboards!

I really enjoyed my tour and learned a little more about producing cartoons. Sooooo much work goes into them! Here’s a cool piece of trivia about our friend that lives in a pineapple under the sea… Did you know that all of Spongebob’s backgrounds are handpainted?! Yes, each cell is handpainted, not computer-generated. It’s quite a feat!

10-15-10 How many people can say they've been here?!!

When I left the garage, I saw this car. What a cool license plate!!

10-15-10 They take their jobs very seriously at Nickelodeon Animation Studios!

Thank you, Sam and Jesse for such a wonderful time! Nickelodeon is a really cool place to work!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Dianne de Las Casas visits Eastside Elementary in Lancaster, California – Tuesday, October 12, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-12-10 Eastside Elementary in Lancaster, CA welcomes me!

Friends:

I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to California. I had the privilege of visiting Eastside Elementary in Lancaster, California. It was my third visit to Eastside. I am so glad that they keep inviting me back! Cajun Cornbread Boy stopped in Lancaster on his national tour and he was there to greet me! How cool is that?!

10-12-10 Cajun Cornbread Boy is there to greet me! Woo hoo!

I performed “Handmade Tales” for all the grades and it was so much fun. I did some draw and tell tales including “The Emperor’s Dragon” and taught them how to make a six page book out of a single sheet of paper. The students loved it.

10-12-10 A 5th grade student draws The Emperor's Dragon during my presentation

I got to see all the grades from kindergarten to 6th grade. About 700 students in all…

10-12-10 Lots of students participate in Handmade Tales

That evening, I spoke to the students and their parents for literacy night.

10-12-10 Me, Kara and her mom, Valerie Humphrey, a fourth grade teacher

I performed a couple of stories and ended with my rousing telling of “Rockin’ Three Billy Goats.”

10-12-10 Playing the part of the troll during Eastside Elementary Literacy Night

What a great school! I can’t wait to return next year! They’ve already invited me back! :) Thank you Margo Deal, Santos DeCasas, Nilafe DelRosario, Jimmy Mora, Valerie Humphrey, and Eastside PTA for making my visit so special!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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