Friends:

I arrived in East Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Hilton Hotel for the New Jersey Association of School Librarians Conference. After signing books at the Libraries Unlimited booth, I went to dinner with Debby Laboon (Libraries Unlimited’s Authors Respresentative) and Anne Scharff (Greenwood Press’ Sales Representative). We met Judy Freeman and her sweet husband, Izzy, at a restaurant in New Brunswick called Soho. Dinner was delicious. After returning to hotel, I went to my room, Skyped with my family and then crashed.

The morning of November 14, I attended a session by Wayne Free, who works with the Louisiana Association of Educators. The room was small and the crowd was spilling into the hallway. Wayne spoke about how librarians could incorporate using media (the Internet, etc.) into their library lesson plans.

Wayne Free 11-14-08

After Wayne’s session, I attended Judy Freeman’s session on picture book “Winners.” It was a fabulous session and her room was full. Judy is so animated and energetic, a great storyteller, singer, and entertainer. The books she showcases are definitely winning reads. This is Judy reading Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel.

Judy Freeman 11-14-08

I had to leave Judy’s workshop a tad early because I had to set up for my workshop. I presented “Handmade Tales.” Here are the attendees creating “Joseph Had An Overcoat” cut -and-tell story.

NJASL Workshop Participants creating "Joseph Had an Overcoat Cut and Tell" - 11-14-08

We were having so much fun in the workshop. They really enjoyed “Bandana Man,” an adaptation of “The Gingerbread Man” done with a bandana.

NJASL Workshop Participants with "Bandana Man" - 11-14-08

Look at this cutie! He was the old woman in “Bandana Man.”

The Old Woman in "Bandana Man" - 11-14-08

I received rave reviews on my workshop from the workshop participants. It was so much fun. Afterward, I went to the Libraries Unlimited booth to sign books. Then it was time for dinner. I went to dinner with Debby Laboon, Judy Freeman, and Susan Fichtelberg (another LU author). We ate at a swanky diner that had the best food and we had the best time.

Susan Fichtelberg, Debby Laboon, Dianne de Las Casas & Judy Freeman - 11-14-08

The next day, Saturday, November 15, 2008, I ate a quick buffet breakfast at the hotel’s cafe and then headed to the ballroom to set up my second “Handmade Tales” workshop. Another author was presenting and went over time, giving me less than 10 minutes to set up. I was frantic!

Nevertheless, I had a room full of enthusiastic librarians, who enjoyed the workshop as much as the previous group. Here is a workshop participant’s rendition of an original draw-and-tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon.”

Draw-and-tell Story "The Emperor's Dragon" - 11-15-08

Here is a table of librarians who are all “Reading Stars!” The star is made with a single sheet of paper, five folds and one snip of the scissors. The librarian on the right is author Susan Fichtelberg.

The Magic Star - 11-14-08

My final story was “The Stubborn Turnip,” a string story adaptation of the Russian tale “The Enormous Turnip.” Below, workshop participants celebrate their successful attempt to make the string bowl in the story.

"The Stubborn Turnip" String Bowl - 11-14-08

Both of my workshops were full of lively librarians who appreciate the hands-on activities of the workshop. I had a great time presenting at the New Jersey Association of School Librarians state conference. The 2009 Conference Chair attended my first workshop and asked me to return next year. Now that gives me warm fuzzies all over! My Handmade Tales book sold out even before my first presentation began – wow!

Thank you so much to the conference chair, Pam Cheskey, the conference staff (especially Aliah), and all the lovely librarians who chose to attend my session when there were other wonderful sessions ongoing simultaneously. Thank you to all the librarians who helped me set up and pack up, especially Karen and Wendy. I just love librarians! They are always willing to lend a hand.

A special thank you to Debby Laboon (I just luv u!) and Anne Scharff (my bud), who are both wonderful women. I so appreciate what you do for my books!

Happy Tales to You! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

On Sunday, February 18, 2008, I had a photo session. My photographer, Randy, lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother lives in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, and that is where we had my photo session – in her newly rebuilt house (because I live closer to Chalmette than to Baton Rouge). St. Bernard Parish was one of the hardest hit places in the New Orleans area. Hurricane Katrina delivered a monster blow to to the parish, inundating it with water from three sides. The whole parish drowned under water.

In driving to Chalmette, I was still stunned by the devastation. Clearly, there is a rebuilding effort but only 30% of the parish’s residents have returned. That leaves 70% of the parish still as it was after Katrina hit. For every house that is rebuilt, there are six houses that are deserted or razed. This is the house directly across the street from Randy’s mom’s house.

On my way home, I decided to stop in the 9th ward. This is the kind of devastation that still exists today, nearly two and a half years after Katrina pounded her angry fist on the Gulf Coast.

My former seamstress, Michelle, lived on the corner of Dorgenois and Flood Streets, right by the Industrial Canal, where the levees breached.

How ironic, to live on “Flood” Street. Just after I moved back, I checked Michelle’s house. It was, of course, completely devastated. I checked to see if there was a phone number or some way I could contact Michelle. Nothing. I often wondered what happened to Michelle and her family. This time when I stopped at her house, all that was left was a slab with overgrown weeds.

But miraculously, there was a “FOR SALE BY OWNER” sign on the fence. On it was Michelle’s name and phone numbers. I called her immediately and she answered!! I hadn’t talked to her since before Katrina. It was an overwhelming mixture of emotions to hear her voice – sadness that she had lost everything, relief that I had found her, and abundant joy knowing that she and her family were okay.

I believe that we have angels working in our midst. Michelle told me this, “Dianne, one of the few things that survived Katrina was your Jambalaya CD because it was in our truck when we evacuated. My granddaughters listen to it so much, they know the whole CD by heart. They especially love the ‘Sweet Potato’ story.” That brought tears to my eyes. Michelle also told me that one of the granddaughter’s teachers has the CD so the class could learn about Louisiana. Michelle, her husband, one of her daughters, and two of her grandchildren ended up in Virginia.

Just before Katrina, Michelle sewed ten new costumes for me. To think, Michelle apologized to me because “Katrina got your dresses.” Of course, I don’t care about the dresses! What I care about is that Michelle and her family got out of New Orleans and ended up safe. She said that generosity abounded in Virginia and that she is happy with her life there. I am happy that she still sees the promise in each new day and that hope continues to thrive. I told her I would send new CDs for her grandchildren.

I never expected that Sunday would be such a miraculous day. I found Michelle and learned that I have been with her and her family all along. There really are angels in our midst.

Warmly, Dianne