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

Oprah Blog - Life Lift

“Children can have too many toys, but never enough books.” – Jarrett Krosoczka from his Picture Book Month Essay.

I created an initiative to designate November as “Picture Book Month.” Katie Davis, Elizabeth Dulemba, Tara Lazar, Wendy Martin, and Australian International Liaison, Christopher Cheng, came on board to help me champion the cause and spread the word. A logo was designed by Joyce Wan. Videos were created by motion graphics designer, Carter Higgins. PictureBookMonth.com features essays from “Picture Book Champions,” thought leaders in the children’s literature community. Each day in November, a new essay is posted from such notable contributors as Peter Brown, Suzanne Bloom, Denise Fleming, Leslie Helakoski, Eric A. Kimmel, Jarrett Krosoczka, Tammi Sauer, Dan Yaccarino, and Jane Yolen. Looking ahead, 2012 Picture Book Month Champions include such notables as Doreen Cronin,Toni diTerlizzi, Brett Helquist, Tom Lichtenheld, John Rocco, and Karma Wilson.

Though the website officially opened on November 1, the site saw over 25,000 visitors in the first couple weeks. The initiative became a movement and the movement went viral. Imagine my surprise to find out that Picture Book Month had been featured on the Oprah Blog, Life Lift! Read the post in its entirety: http://www.oprah.com/blogs/November-is-Picture-Book-Month

Now, not even a third of the way through November, a Google search of “Picure Book Month” lists nearly 10 million results. It has been tweeted, Facebooked, Googled, linked, and blogged. Besides Oprah, Picture Book Month has been featured in Huffington Post, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews, to name a few. Organizations such as the Children’s Book Council, Reading is Fundamental, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators support the initiative as partners.

The Picture Book Month website also features links to picture book resources, authors, illustrators, and kidlit book bloggers. In addition, parents, educators, and librarians can download the theme calendar to help them plan their picture book celebrations and access picture book activities. Libraries and schools worldwide are holding Picture Book Month celebrations.

Join the celebration! Visit www.picturebookmonth.com.

“But if you really want more curious, intelligent, creative children in the world, then go ahead and give them picture books.” – Peter Brown from his Picture Book Month Essay

Read * Share * Celebrate!

Friends:

I am very excited. Soleil and I produced my second book trailer for my new picture book Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing, September 2009). I really love the way this came out. The illustrations are by the talented Marita Gentry. Music is by Betsy Braud and the Jazz Nurse Prescription from my World Fiesta: Celebrations in Story and Song CD. Let me know what you think! Thank you so much!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Chieffo's 2nd graders dance Zydeco 2-12-09

Friends:

I had such a good time on Day 4 of my Story Fest residency. It was a late day, with my first class starting at 9:40 am so I took advantage of the extra time and worked out for an hour at home. I came to school refreshed and ready to go! My first class was Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class. They were perfect little angels – so incredibly well-behaved. They listened intently to the tale of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and followed instructions when it came time to explore Louisiana’s Cajun and Zydeco music through scarves, movement, and dance.

2nd graders play the washboard 2-12-09

After 2nd grade, I went downstairs to meet Ms. Bonnano’s kindergarten class. They were an enthusiastic, curious group of students who really enjoyed my activities. I told them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they loved it.

Ms. Dianne shows Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners The Cajun Cornbread Boy book 2-12-09

Ms. Bonnano (my first time meeting her) was so sweet and accommodating. Here they are dancing and passing a good time!

Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners dance Zydeco 2-12-09

Then it was on to Mr. Boone’s 3rd grade class. I love Mr. Boone. He is a great teacher who knows how to balance fun and discipline. I arrived a tad early so I helped Mr. Boone finish up his lesson on ABC order. It was fun to “team teach” with Mr. Boone! Afterwards, we transitioned into my activities.

Ms. Dianne walks a "dog" in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class 2-12-09

The class had a blast with the role-playing drama activities. They did a great job.

Mother comforting jilted brides in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class 2-12-09

The class was assigned the story rap, “Jackie Rabbit,” and I can’t wait to see Mr. Boone’s class perform it. It is going to be awesome!

After lunch, I visited Ms. Leboutillier’s preschool class. What a sweet group of students! They were ready for me as soon as I walked in! I told them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they fully participated in all the motions and songs.

Ms. Leboutillier's preschoolers listen to The Cajun Cornbread Boy 2-12-09

Then we explored Louisiana through Cajun and Zydeco music and dance. And did we dance!

Preschoolers second line around the classroom 2-12-09

My last class was Ms. Muller’s preschool class. When I arrived, they were all napping. They had been on a field trip in the morning and were zonked out completely. After unsuccessfuly trying to rouse them, we decided it was better to let them rest. Fortunately, I will be visiting their class again.

Friday and Monday were off days for me so I headed for a nice 4 day weekend! I look forward to Week 2 with my Bissonet students.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Jones' Kindergarten class listens intently to Ms. Dianne - 1-23-09

Friends:

Friday was a rough day at school mostly because I was working through a very hoarse voice. My cold turned into bronchitis and the drip caused terrible laryngitis. Talking to 7 classes a day doesn’t help recovery either. Still, I had fantastic classes who really understood and cooperated. My first two classes were spent in Kindergarten. They were marvelous. I sipped my herbal tea throughout my visits, which seemed to give my voice some momentum. Ms. Jones’ kindergarten class was exceptionally wonderful.

Kindergarteners in Ms. Jones' class creates bunny Tangram - 1-23-09

After kindergarten, I headed to Ms. Giroir’s pre-K class. The kids loved my story and I made it through the storytelling, allowing the students to help me carry the story. One of the students yelled out, “Ms. Dianne is a good visitor!” So cute. They worked very well with the Tangrams, including the special ed students that joined us. With guidance from the teachers, the students did great work with the Tangrams. A couple had such good spacial reasoning that they were able to form some of the Tangrams on their own, remarkable for Pre-K.

PK student in Ms. Giroir's class creates candle Tangram - 1-23-09

It was on to Ms. Guidry’s third grade class. What a delightful group of students. We had so much fun creating the story chorus. Ms. Guidry is such a fantastic involved teacher. She chimed right in, leading the chorus. I cannot wait until this class performs. They were so awesome that we finished early and I had time to tell “The Ghost of Mabel Gable,” one of my most popular spooky stories with rip-roaring humor at the end.

Storyteller and Tangram Artist in Ms. Guidry's 3rd grade class work together in rehearsal of "Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories" - 1-23-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Avist’s first grade class. On my way there, a second grade student from Ms. Dorsey’s class, Justin, gave me a gift – an orange from his grandfather’s backyard. Strehle really has some delightful students. Ms. Avist’s class is a sweet bunch of students who really enjoyed my telling of “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” They worked intently on their Tangrams, eager to share their creations with me.

First grader in Ms. Avist's class creates house Tangram - 1-23-09

This class made me a pile of love notes – like I said they are a sweet bunch of students! Thank you, Ms. Avist’s class!

Piles of love notes from Ms. Avist's first graders - 1-23-09

From first grade, I moved into Ms. Dorsey’s second grade class. I tell you, these students are fabulous. They cheer when I walk into the class. Of couse, Ms. Dorsey has a lot to do with it! She is such an enthusiastic teacher who shares my stories with the class all the time. They are such big fans. The class loved the story of “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories” and invented some creative Tangrams. One of the students, a Hispanic boy named Axell, sang my story chorus in Spanish as I sang in English. It was so awesome. Then, another Vietnamese student sang the chorus in his native tongue. Soon it was a multi-lingual story and song fest. What an absolute delight! They inspired a book idea… Thank you, Ms. Dorsey’s class!

Ms. Dorsey's multi-lingual second grade class poses with Ms. Dianne - Thank you for your songs! 1-23-09

My final class of the day was Ms. Johnson’s 4th grade class. Unfortunately, this class did not go so well. Ms. Johnson forgot that I was coming to her class and had the kids lined up to play outside. The students had their balls in hand and their jackets on as I walked into the classroom. When they found out that they had to rehearse instead of play, they were like a buzzing, bouncing hornet’s nest. They were agitated and would not focus. Between Ms. Johnson, the Special Ed teacher and me – we could not get the class to settle down. I tried to talk to them and work with them but they just did not want to cooperate. Ms. Johnson was upset with the class and severely admonished them for behaving in this manner in front of a guest. Unfortunately, she suspended them from performing in the Tangram Tales Story Fest on Tuesday. I hope she reconsiders and that her class is able to perform. It was my final visit with the class and they will not have the opportunity to work with me again before Tuesday’s performance day.

Fourth Grader in Ms. Johnson's class creates horse Tangram - 1-23-09

It was hard to end the day on a less than stellar note, especially since the rest of my day had been spectacular despite my health issues. By the end of the day, I was whooped and ready to go home and relax.

Then another disaster struck. My car would not start. Fortunately, another teacher, Ms. Giroior, who was parked next to me, stayed late and was able to give me a jump. I made it home where my car died in the drive way. The good news is that it was a faulty connection to the battery causing my battery to drain. The battery is still good and my car is now in working order.

Update on my health: On Saturday, I woke up with absolutely no voice and terrible asthma. I went to the doctor (Urgent Care). I received 2 shots – antibiotics and steroids. I had a dangerous asthma flare-up that caused me difficulty breathing. I knew I needed medical attention. The doctor prescribed me antiobiotics, a steroid dose pack, and asthma meds. My voice is slowly returning but still weak and hoarse. My breathing is much better. I hope to continue to get better as I leave for New York City on Wednesday!

Gotta get to bed now!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

4th grader in Ms. Creecy's class makes a mountain Tangram - 1-22-09

Friends:

Today marked Day 7 at Strehle with my Tangram Tales residency. I began in Ms. Creecy’s 4th grade class. They were a great group. They created a fantastic rap with beats for the story chorus, with Nelbert leading on the beats. It was so much fun. Congratulations to Gavin and Chase, who performed their parts without a script. Ms. Dianne is so proud of you! Ms. Creecy’s class did a phenomenal job today! Yay!

Ms. Clausing's Kindergarteners listen to "Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories" - 1-22-09

From 4th grade, I went to Ms. Clausing’s kindergarten class. They were as enthusiastic as ever, participating in the story. They enjoyed manipulating the Tangrams and were more skilled since it was my second visit to their class.

I then went to my second Kindergarten class, Ms. King’s class. I told “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories,” a tale from the West Indies. Ms. King is a delight and the kids had so much fun, rocking to my story chorus “Hey mon, hey mon. Feel the story beat! Hey mon, hey mon. Feel the story beat.” They enjoyed it so much that nearly the entire class got up to dance to the story beat!

Ms. Till’s 3rd grade class was right before lunch. They did a great job rehearsing their story, “The Cat and the Rooster,” a tale from the Ukraine. I loved the way the story chorus came together on their parts. One of the students showed me a Tangram that she invented on her own, outside of the classroom. Wow!

Diamond flower invented by 3rd grader in Ms. Till's class - 1-22-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Walter’s 5th grade class. The students were wound up and unfortunately, one of the students had to be disciplined and sent to the office. After that, the class was great. They made it through their entire script. I love their story, “It Could Always Be Worse,” a Yiddish tale. We had so much fun with the story chorus, which the students gave their own flavor by rapping it and adding a fun beat. I can’t wait to see how their class performs on Tuesday!

After 5th grade, I went to Ms. Hoadley’s 2nd grade class. They were so much fun, really getting into the story and their Tangram creations. Ms. Hoadley was so inspired by the Tangrams that she told me she is going to create a “Wild About Tangrams” bulletin board. How cool is that?!! Thank you, Ms. Hoadley!

Ms. Dianne & Ms. Hoadley, 2nd grade teacher - 1-22-09

My last class was Ms. Lankard’s 2nd grade class. They also enjoyed the story and invented some very creative Tangrams. Check out this rocket!

2nd grader in Ms. Lankard's class invents rocket Tangram - 1-22-09

One of the highlights of my day was when Carla Short, a 1st grade teacher, delivered a sweet treat to me… homemade pralines!! Mmm. Mmm. Mmm! They were so delicious – the best I have ever tasted. Ms. Short, did I ever tell you that you are sweeter than pralines?!!

Carla Short, 1st grade teacher & Dianne - 1-22-09

Then, Ms. Pat, a pre-K teacher and the coordinator of the arts grant that brought me to Strehle, showed me some extension lessons that one of the teachers had done with her students. 1st grade teacher, Ms. Hervey, had her students trace their Tangram shapes and color them, creating gorgeous Tangram pictures.

1st grade Tangram bunny - 1-22-09

Thank you, Ms. Hervey! What a wonderful job your students did!

Another great day at a great school!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne on stage telling stories to 350 students - 1-16-09

Friends:

Today, I performed my “Jump, Jiggle & Jam” show at Norco K-3 Elementary for 350 students. It was literacy week and the students and teachers were dressed in their favorite character costumes. Look at this lovely ballerina…

Teacher with a great sense of humor dressed up as a Ballerina - 1-16-09

I began the show with my “Jump, Jiggle & Jam” intro song. Two helpers, Joseph (the bee) and Miranda (the teacher) came on stage to help me with the song. I told the students that Joseph and Miranda’s message was “Bee a Teacher!”

Dianne with a "Bee" and a "Teacher" - 1-16-09

My first story was “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza.” Kids love this rousing rendition jam-packed with fun audience participation. After that, I performed my ever-popular song, “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam.” The kids love being grossed out. Several students helped me on stage including Captain Hook and Bad Kitty.

Dianne and helpers do "Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam" - 1-16-09

My last story was “Rockin 3 Billy Goats” and boy did we rock! I love my job because I get to have so much fun! I had a blast with the students and teachers of Norco Elementary. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your literacy week! And now I leave you with one of my favorite book characters, Fancy Nancy.

Teacher dressed as Fancy Nancy - 1-16-09

Bon Jour! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

Stories on Board at Audubon Elementary - 11-3-08

Friends:

On Monday, I presented a professional development workshop at Audubon Elementary for the teachers. I forgot my digital camera but was able to take a few pictures with my phone camera.

I presented, “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales.” I showed the teachers my method of turning folktales into board games that the students create. They story-mapped, chose stories, and then worked in groups to create their board games. Finally, they played their board games and then traded games with other groups and played theirs.

A Teacher Finishing "A Cooking Chick Race" - 11-3-08

Here are P.E. teachers playing the game they created to teach health concepts based on the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

PE Teachers Playing "A Healthy Pace Wins the Race" - 11-3-08

This is a group of teachers playing “Lil Red’s Tale,” based on the folktale, “The Little Red Riding Hood.”

Teachers Playing "Lil Red's Tale" - 11-3-08

This game is called “3 Pig-Opoly” based on the story of “The Three Little Pigs.

3 Pig-Opoly Game - 11-3-08

It was a fun workshop and the teachers appreciated a new technique that integrated reading, writing, and even mathematics into an engaging learning activity they could share with their children.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I had the pleasure of performing at Audubon Elementary in Kenner, Louisiana. I performed at the school last year and many of the students remembered me! When they saw me, they began singing my song “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam.” My “Scared Silly” show began with grades 3-5.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne performing Scared Silly - 10-31-08

The school was celebrating a Fall Math Fest so I was asked to add math to my show. For the upper grades, I adapted a Chinese Folktale called “The Magic Pot” and turned it into a Halloween tale about Mr. and Mrs. Dracula, who have a magic cauldron that doubles everything that is placed inside the pot. The story turned out great and the students really enjoyed the tale, especially the voices of the vampires!

Here I am performing “The Fifolet,” a Louisiana tale about a bogey from the bayou.

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Dianne Performing "The Fifolet" - 10-31-08

At the end of the show, I had time for one more song so my 8 year old daughter, Eliana, who did not have school, joined me in singing “Shake-A-Shake Them Bones.”

Audubon Elementary Grades 3-5 Shake-a-shake Them Bones - 10-31-08

After I finished with the upper grades, the lower elementary came in – pre-school through 2nd grades. It was such a fun show. I started with performing an original story based on a Mother Goose tale. The story is called “The House That Witchy Built.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The House that Witchy Built - 10-31-08

To fulfill the math request of my client, I wrote a new song for the lower grades called “Baby Monster.” Eliana helped me with the song. It was so much fun and turned out cuter than I had anticipated.

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne and Eliana performing Baby Monster - 10-31-08

Here I am performing “The Viper.”

Audubon Elementary Grades PK-2 Dianne performing The Viper - 10-31-08

There was a lot of audience participation with the lower grades. Here are some students helping Eliana and me perform “5 Little Ghosties,” an original Halloween fingerplay.

Audubon Elementary - Dianne, Eliana & students doing 5 Little Ghosties - 10-31-08

The show for the little ones ended with “The Ghost of Mable Gable,” which sent the audience and teachers rolling on the floor with its hilarious ending and then my song “Shake-a-shake Them Bones.”

Thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff at Audubon Elementary. I had a great time celebrating Halloween with y’all! A special thank you to Ms. Roques and Jeanne Castanza for always inviting me to their school. You rock!

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne