7-11-09 Dianne signing books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited

Friends:

Today, I signed books at the American Library Association Conference in Chicago. I was very pleased with the traffic in the exhibit hall – a lot of people came through. One library director bought a copy of each of my books and said that my books were “the best thing she had seen all day.” How cool is that?

I had some friends stop by such as Amanda Leblanc from the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (I presented there in March – awesome conference!) and Becky, Alison & Nancy from the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (where I will be presenting in September). I also ran into Tammy Dibartolo from the Rapides Parish Library system in Louisiana. Thank you so much for stopping by!

7-11-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Nancy & Alison, school librarians from Tennessee

Afterward my book signing, I met up with my good friend and fellow author, Juliet Bond. We had lunch and then toured the exhibit hall, checking out the latest and greatest in children’s books. Of course, we ran into some wonderful people – our author friends in the children’s lit world. I finally met Cynthia Liu face to face (after all that Facebook time! LOL). She is so beautiful and funny. I ran into the gorgeous Yuyi Morales. Then we bumped into Christine Urdahl and Christine Butler.

7-11-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Cynthia Liu

After 4 hours of walking, talking, meeting and greeting, Juliet and I needed to decompressed. We came back to my room and chilled for a couple of hours. Christine Butler invited us to dinner with a group of authors who are doing a non-fiction panel on Sunday morning. So Juliet and I met them at McCormick Schmick’s.

7-11-09 Juliet Bond, Kelly Milner Halls & Dianne de Las Casas

We dined with Kelly Milner Halls, Christine Butler, Hester Bass and her husband, April Pulley Sayre, Amy Hansen, Katherine House, and Gwendolyn (I didn’t get Gwendolyn’s last name!! Argh!). Gwendolyn lives in Oklahoma and I will see her at the Encyclomedia conference, where I am a featured speaker in September. It was a fantabulous evening with good food and even better company. The service was excellent.

7-11-09 A table of illustrious authors at McCormick Schmick. That's Kelly Milner Halls showing her lovely dessert.

Tomorrow, I have a book signing from 10am-12pm at the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth. Afterwards, I am hanging out with Juliet Bond and we are attending the Caldecott Newberry banquet later that evening. It will be a great day.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-10-09 Arriving at Chicago's Ohare Airport, The Concourse of International Flags

Friends:

I arrived in Chicago’s Ohare Airport on Friday, July 10, 2009 for the American Library Association annual conference, after a slightly turbulent flight from New Orleans and a rather hard landing. I headed to the airport shuttle and booked a round-trip ticket to the Chicago Hilton on Michigan Avenue, where I had reservations. Seeing this van should have been an indication about how my day would go. It was a bad “omen.”

7-10-09 The 666 Airport Shuttle

The shuttle ride took 2 hours from the airport to the hotel. Fortunately, the van was full of wonderful people – ladies from England, librarians, ALA exhibitors, and our fabulous driver who even provided us with snacks.

I was so ready to decompress and get to my room after that long shuttle ride. When I arrived at the hotel, I was very dismayed to learn that the hotel did not have my reservation, which I made through the ALA housing system. ALA informed me that someone had cancelled my reservation. Unfortunately, all the hotels in the area were overbooked and sold out. I was “homeless at the Hilton.” But, fortunately, my publisher, Libraries Unlimited, came to my rescue. Barbara Ittner, an editor at Libraries Unlimited, offered to share her room with me. James Ingle, head of international sales, switched rooms with us so that we could have two restrooms. I am sleeping on a pullout sofa bed, which is actually pretty comfy.

My publisher took me to dinner at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian churasco steakhouse that served 16 kinds of roasted meats carved tableside. It was delicious. Afterwards, we went to a blues club called Buddy Guy’s, right behind the Hilton. Thank you Ron, James & Christie for a fun evening!

7-10-09 The insane amount of meat at Fogo de Chao

Fortunately, all’s well that ends well. I found a place to lay my head and was wined and dined. Yay!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy in the Window of A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter, New Orleans 2-8-09

Friends:

I had a phenomenal book signing at A Tisket A Tasket gift store in the New Orleans French Quarter. Marita Gentry, the talented illustrator of the book, was with me. Lisa Jones, the owner of the store set up a table outside on the sidewalk in front of the store. I told the story live as Marita drew the characters on a large pad. We had quite a crowd gather. It was my first time “street performing” in New Orleans! LOL Afterwards, we signed books.

The Cajun Cornbread Boy, the Gator, Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry posing with a fan 2-8-09

It was nonstop for the two hours we were there. We never stopped signing books. Yay! Lisa was such a gracious hostess and even invited me to come back and sign books on the last weekend of Jazz Fest (first weekend in May).

Marita Gentry, Lisa Jones of A Tisket A Tasket & Dianne de Las Casas 2-8-09

After my book signing, my family and I went walking in the French Quarter. Eliana (my 8 year old) and her cousin, Camrynn (9 years old) had their faces painted. Too cute!

Face Painting Woman with Eliana & Camrynn in the French Quarter 2-8-09

We walked around on Decatur Street. I wanted to take pictures as research for my next children’s picture book with Marita, Madame Poule’ and Monsieur Roach, awhich is set in the New Orleans French Quarter.

New Orleans French Quarter 2-8-09

It was a gorgeous day with temperatures in the 70s. Tourists and locals alike were milling about. It was the perfect day to tour the French Quarter and the French Market.

New Orleans French Market 2-8-09

After walking around, we ate at Fiorella’s, famous for their fried chicken. Then we had beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde. It was a great day!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Katie & Caitlin, Sales Team from Pelican Publishing Co. 2-5-09

Friends:

On Thursday, February 5, 2009, I stopped at my publisher’s office to pick up some books for my school visit on Friday. I gave the ladies on the sales and promotional team a special present from me and Marita Gentry, the illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. I asked Marita to create a necklace of The Cajun Cornbread Boy, which she did, out of Shrinky Dink. They came out so cute.

Then it was time to hit the road, Jack. I had to travel 5.5 hours to Shreveport, Louisiana for a Friday school visit at South Highlands Magnet School. I arrived at the hotel with 45 minutes to spare before my client, Jeannie Machowski, picked me up for dinner at Bella Fresca. Dinner was a blast. There were 7 of us altogether including the school’s principal, Keith Burton. What a fantastic group of teachers to hang out with! Plus, the food was divine. There was lots of laughter, stories (That’s Just My Baby Granddaddy! – Thanks for that one, Brenda!), and one of every dessert.

Dianne performs at South Highlands Magnet School 2-6-09

I did two shows for approximately 500 students. The first show was for K-2. The second show was for Grades 3-5.

Grades 3-5 at South Highlands Magnet School 2-6-09

For the first show, I told The Cajun Cornbread Boy. Then we did my song, Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam. I also told Rockin Three Billy Goats, and finally, with teachers on stage as my backup band, Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories. It was fun, participatory and the kids really rocked out.

Afterwards, I signed books and CDs for the students and teachers in the first assembly. Then it was off to lunch.

Dianne de Las Casas with Ms. Shaw's Busy Bees at South Highlands Magnet School 2-6-09

They ordered me a special pizza from a local eatery. My box said “Dianne Pep.” LOL That’s me! After lunch, I had my second assembly program for the upper grades. I began with The Cajun Cornbread Boy, sang My Aunt Came Back, told Anansi Shares Wisdom with the World, and ended with The Ghost of Mabel Gable. The show was a HUGE hit with the kids. They were so responsive. At the end, they gave me rock star signs with their hands and told me, “You rock!” Well guess what?! South Highlands Elementary rocks too!

Many of the teachers told me how much they enjoyed the show and the librarian said that several of the teachers said I was the best author that ever visited their school. Wow! That’s quite an honor because they have had an impressive list of authors.

Here is a picture of Sonia, me and Jeannie Machowski, the awesome librarian!

Sonia, Dianne & Jeannie at South Highlands Magnet School 2-6-09

I signed more books and then packed up. It was such a wonderful visit. South Highlands definitely goes on my list of favorite schools. You’ve earned a place in my heart! I love schools that celebrate good books!

Celebrate Good Books bulletin board 2-6-09

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Marita Gentry Illustrates as Dianne de Las Casas tells The Cajun Cornbread Boy at Octavia Books 2-4-09

Friends:

I had the most amazing book signing experience at Octavia Books in the Garden District in New Orleans. Tom and Judith, the owners, were so wonderful and such gracious hosts.

Marita Gentry, illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy, drew the pictures live as I told the story. I had the crowd laughing, giggling and participating in the story. It was a blast! Afterwards, Marita gave the drawings away to the kids in the crowd. How cool is that?!

Marita Gentry & Dianne de Las Casas pose with fans at Octavia Books 2-4-09

We signed books for about 2 hours. I just love Tom and Judith, who made Marita and I feel so welcome.

Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry sign books at Octavia Books in New Orleans 2-4-09

Eliana, my little 8 year old, fell in love with Pippin, Octavia’s resident dog. Now she wants a puppy! LOL

Eliana falls in love with Pippin, the resident dog of Octavia Books 2-4-09

What a wonderful experience for all of us. Thank you, Octavia Books! We love you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne