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