Friends:

From Tuesday through Friday of last week, I was at the Texas Library Association conference in Houston. On the first night I was at TLA, they had an opening reception. I was there demonstrating stories from my forthcoming book, Handmade Tales 2, at the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth. This is me with a mouse hat made out of a paper plate from the Japanese story, “The Mouse’s Wedding.”

Wednesday was the first full day at the exhibit hall. It was packed. Librarians crowded the floor at every major publisher’s booth.

In the morning, I signed books at Pelican Publishing. The booth was busy! Yay! This librarian won an award and came just that day to accept the award at TLA. Woo hoo!

I ran into my good friend, Peter Brown, who was signing his Lucy books (Children Make Terrible Pets and YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND). Go Peter!

In the afternoon on Wednesday, I signed books with ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Here I am with the amazing Anastasia Suen and the terrific Toni Buzzeo. Both of these awesome authors were 2011 Picture Book Month champions. Yay!

That evening, after a fabuloso fajita dinner at Pappasito’s with my publisher, Pelican Publishing, and authors Tom McDermott and Laurie Knowlton (Thanks Laura Midgett and John Scheyd), Peter Brown invited me to hang out with some cool Kidlit authors/illustrators. Paul Zelinsky is so warm and witty. He will be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion. My phone’s flash was being wacky… Sorry!

Adam Rex was also great fun and totally hilarious. We’re Twitter buds so I asked him to pose to look like his Twitter avatar. Lol Adam will also be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion.

On Thursday, my editor from Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney, gave me a wonderful surprise — a gorgeous handmade sterling silver bracelet. I love it so much! It’s my new favorite. She knows me so well, that I love my bling!

That morning, I signed books with Pelican again. I was only supposed to sign for one hour but I ended up signing for 2.5 hours because it was that busy! Thank goodness no one was after me. Look at that table of books…

The afternoon was filled with busy book signing at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Then it was time for some fun! I had dinner and drinks with my crew from ABC-Clio. Look at these gargantuan meatballs!

Then Alexis Hammond (the blonde), Shannon Hysell (the brunette), and I unwound at a super hip lounge. What a great night! Aren’t they pretty?!

On Friday, I signed books in the morning with Pelican. The exhibit hall closed at noon so I rushed around like mad trying to see everything. Finally, when it was time for me to leave to get to Baton Rouge for my daughter, Soleil’s senior art show, I ran into this… a flat tire!

The hotel referred me to a local mechanic shop and it only took them 15 minutes to fix the tire. All’s well that ends well! On the way back, I stopped at a rest stop just outside Lake Charles and caught this beautiful picture!

I made it to my daughter’s art show and the whole family was there! Look at stunning Soleil!

TLA 2012 was a fun, successful conference for me. I had a blast seeing wonderful Texan librarians and making new friends. Next year, it’s off to Fort Worth!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

My 11 year old daughter and I saw The Hunger Games movie on opening day and loved it. I was a big fan of the book/trilogy long before it became a blockbuster movie.

In honor of the books and the movie, here is a story about my fun encounter with Suzanne Collins, the author. I met her two years ago at the San Antonio Airport Gift Shop. We had both signed books at the Texas Library Association Conference.

In the photo, we are holding tortilla warmers. We both grabbed the same one, the only tortilla warmer with a blue border. My daughter, Eliana, is a professional kid chef, and I needed to get her a gift. Her favorite color is blue. Suzanne graciously gave me the blue one after I told her about Eliana. This was our conversation. I didn’t know who she was at first… I mistook her for a librarian. Lol

Me: Thank you so much! Were you here for the library conference?

Suzanne: Yes.

Me: Me too! Are you a librarian?

Suzanne: (Laughs.) No, I’m a writer.

Me: I am too. I’m Dianne de Las Casas. I write picture books.

Suzanne: I’m Suzanne Collins.

Me: (Not recognizing her name like a dork) What do you write?

Suzanne: I wrote a little YA series you probably haven’t heard of… The Hunger Games. (She was so humble.)

Me: (WHA?!! I had just finished reading the first two books. Book 3 hadn’t come out yet.) Oh my gosh. Forgive me for not recognizing your name. I love your books. I can’t wait until the movie comes out. There will be a movie, right?!

Suzanne: Yes, there will be a movie. (Smiles.)

Me: I’ll be there on opening day!

Suzanne: You are so kind.

Me: Do you mind if we have a picture together? With our tortilla warmers?

Suzanne: (Laughs.) Sure.

We took the picture and talked a little longer. We found out we were on the same flight. She invited me to sit with her at the gate but I was with my illustrators and we needed to eat lunch.

We hugged and later, at the gate, she waved and smiled as she boarded ahead of me.

So not only is Suzanne Collins a brilliant and amazing writer, she is also sweet, gracious, and kind. Because of that brief encounter, I became an even bigger fan of Suzanne Collins!

Read The Hunger Games and see the movie!!!

“May the odds be ever in your favor.”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Over the weekend, I had book signings at Sam’s Clubs in Metairie, Harvey, and Slidell. I even had fans and friends come out to see me! Yay, Belinda Meliezer!

I made new friends too. Hi Amber and Messiah!

Great meeting Jaxon in Slidell too. His mom to me he’s been reading Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach so he can take it to school and share it with his class. Way to go, Jaxon!

Thanks for visiting me at my Sam’s Clubs book signings.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Yesterday, I did a series of Skype Author Visits to celebrate World Read Aloud Day. I Skyped with 2 schools in Maine, a school in Michigan, and a school in Wisconsin.

I performed my latest book, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, with full audience participation!

It was a blast and I had so much fun. After my story, the students asked me questions about my life as an author and storyteller.

Thanks to LitWorld and Pam Allyn, founder of World Read Aloud Day, for a great worldwide literacy movement!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-10-09 Jasmynn & Eliana take a dip

Friends:

Before leaving St. Martin Parish to go to St. Mary Parish, Jasmynn, my 7 year old niece, and Eliana, my 8 year old daughter, had to take a dip in the Olympic size swimming pool at our hotel. They were like two little fish who did not want to be land-bound!

Today, I performed in St. Mary Parish at the Patterson Branch Library and the West End Branch Library in Baldwin. It was so cool because I had the distinction of being the first performer in the brand new library in Patterson. It is simply gorgeous!

6-11-09 Brand new library in Patterson, Louisiana. Wow!

St. Mary Parish is celebrating “Once Upon A Time” this summer so my program “Fairytale Fever” fit right in. The kids and I had a blast. After my show, they didn’t want to leave!

6-11-09 Dianne and friends performing "Princess Pat" in the children's section of the new Patterson Branch Library

Thank you to Leisha and all the staff of the Patterson Branch for making our visit so much fun!

After Patterson, we headed to Baldwin. The West End Branch Library in Baldwin wins the prize for “Most Glamorous” in the library beauty pageant. Every section of their library was decorated with a different theme. One corner was outfitted with cowboy duds, while another corner was jazzed up with Louisiana music decor. The crowning glory of the library was the jumpin’, jammin’ jungle (once known as the children’s section).  You can definitely tell that the Baldwin librarians are wild about their library!

6-11-09 Jasmynn & Eliana standing in front of the "Jungle" at the West End Branch Library in Baldwin, LA. Watch out for the swinging monkeys, girls!

The Teche Talk, a local cable TV station came and filmed the show. The children and I had so much fun.

6-11-09 Dianne and friends performing at the West End Branch Library in Baldwin, LA

It was a great day and we enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you to my new friends in St. Mary Parish. We look forward to our next visit!

Tomorrow – LaSalle Parish (Olla and Jena, Louisiana)! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing 12-20-08

Friends:

On Saturday, December 20, 2008, I had my first book signing for my first children’s picture book,The Cajun Cornbread Boy. The book signing was at Maple Street Children’s Book Shop in New Orleans. It was fun because I was signing books with my best friend, Johnette Downing, Children’s Musician and Author. Johnette was signing her brand new book, Chef Creole.

I am so excited because my book was not supposed to arrive this early. It was quite a rush to make them available for the holiday season. But I have shipped out a ton of books to my sweet fans. Here is a picture of me with my #1 fans, my family – my husband, Antonio, oldest daughter, Soleil, and youngest daughter, Eliana.

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing with family - 12-20-08

This week held another surprise for me – my other new book arrived: Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle published by Libraries Unlimited.

Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle 12-20-08

But the icing on the cake this week was reconnecting with my best friend from high school (through FaceBook), Fe Reyes Del Rosario. She is a 5th grade teacher and lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. We’ve been talking on the phone every day! I just adore her.

Dianne de Las Casas and Fe Del Rosario Best Friends in High School 1986

So, it’s been a phenomenal week. Lots of good things in my life! What wonderful Christmas Gifts!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Puppet with Alligator - 12-16-08

Friends,

I am so excited! My first picture book for children, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, came in! My publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, is based in New Orleans so my husband picked up a case of books for me today. The books are beautiful! They are scheduled for a Spring 2009 release so getting the books this early is quite a delicious surprise. I have my first book signing on Saturday so, with the help of my daughter Soleil (who is majoring in art at LSU), I made The Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet. He came out better than I had hoped.

Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet w book - 12-16-08

I absolutely adore him! He is made out of felt, 8 inch cardboard cake circles, jumbo craft sticks, chenille sticks, foam, paper, and an enormous amount of hot glue. I have the burn marks to prove it! LOL There was even a bit of hand sewing involved. He was quite labor intensive (about 3 hours from start to finish) but well worth the effort.

I hope The Cajun Cornbread Boy will run into the hearts of many readers and spice up many children’s bookshelves! You can order your own autographed copy of the book from the Story Connection Store. http://storyconnection.net/?content=store If you order by Friday, December 19, 2008, you’ll get it in time for Christmas!

Spice up your holidays with The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

On Thursday and Friday, the Baton Rouge Public Library hosted a children’s book author/illustrator program (this is their 31st year). Their featured author/illustrator was Tedd Arnold. Tedd Arnold is the author/illustrator of Green Wilma, No Jumping on the Bed, Parts (and its sequels), Super Fly Guy (and its sequels), and many other books.

Thursday night’s program was a family program with the presentation geared for kids. Tedd Arnold shared how he was inspired by his two sons, Walter and William, and their stuffed animals, Charlie (the dog) and Foxy (the fox) for a couple of his books. No More Jumping on the Bed was inspired by Walter. No More Water in the Bathtub was written for William. Tedd’s books are filled with laugh-out-loud humor. If you haven’t read any of the Parts books, you have to! Here is Tedd drawing the main character from Parts.

Tedd Arnold Drawing character from book, Parts - Sept 25, 2008

Tedd’s presentation was infused with great humor and light audience participation. He held the interest of children and adults alike. Super Fly Guy is one of Tedd’s most popular book characters. Tedd drew Fly Guy for the audience.

Tedd Arnold's Fly Guy - Sept 25, 2008

Marita Gentry, the illustrator for my picture book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy, won an illustration from Tedd Arnold.

Marita Gentry & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

Here is a picture of our book cover. Isn’t Marita talented?

The Cajun Cornbread Boy By Dianne de Las Casas Illustrated by Marita Gentry

My 18 year old daughter, Soleil, is majoring in art at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She wants to pursue a career in children’s book illustration. I thought it would be a good idea for her to attend the program. Soleil really got a lot out of both the Thursday night presentation and the Friday morning program. She was able to see the other side of being a children’s book illustrator – presenting for the public. Here is Soleil with Tedd Arnold.

Soleil & Tedd Arnold - Sept 25, 2008

I highly recommend Tedd Arnold’s books. He’s a phenomenonally funny author and great guy, a super “fly” guy! LOL

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Sept 18 2008 - Eliana with Her Library Card in the Reading Castle

Friends:

Today, Eliana, my 8 year old daughter, and I went to the library. It was a special trip because she was getting her very own library card. It may not seem like a big deal to you but it is a very big deal to a third grader! This means that she’s a “big girl,” growing up just a little bit more.

I taught Eliana how to use the computer catalog to perform searches and find books. Then we had a lesson on how to find a book by its call number. She learned about the Dewey decimal system and how nonfiction is categorized. Using the call numbers, she found all her books on her own. Eliana checked out 8 books – 7 cookbooks (for ideas and inspiration for her new blog, Eliana Cooks!) and one book on becoming a chef.

Finally, she checked her books out by herself using the self-service check-out machine. She loved that.

Sept 18, 2008 - Eliana is checking out her books

Going to the library with your children is important. Not only are you putting your valuable tax dollars to work, you are encouraging literacy, supporting your community, and exposing your children to another world through the power of books. Here are some of the services and products the library offers:

* WiFi (wireless internet) access
* Computer use
* Magazines
* DVDs and CDs
* Book Clubs
* Meeting rooms
* Storytimes
* Crafts
* Performances
* Author Visits
* Art Showings
* Books, books, and more books!

Sept 18, 2008 - Eliana's Library Books

So get your children a library card and check out the library! Here’s to the power of reading!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne