6-21-09 Jackson Square, New Orleans at Sunset

Friends:

My cousin, Heidi, flew in from Arizona on Thursday, June 18, 2009. I haven’t seen her in 30 years so it was a momentous occasion. After picking her, we took her to Zea for dinner and then she saw the rest of the family – my mom, Clay, my brother, and his children.

6-19-09 My cousin, Heidi

She settled into her roomwhere I had fresh flowers, a candle, and a welcome basket waiting for her. Her bed was turned down every night with chocolates on the pillow and made up every morning. There was fresh coffee and continental breakfast in the morning.

6-18-09 The guest room for Heidi

On Friday, she had lunch with another friend. That evening, we went to my mom’s house for a Filipino Fiesta! Mom made lumpia, fried rice, pancit, chicken adobo, and pork adobo.

6-19-09 Filipino Fiesta! Ma sarap - talaga!

On Saturday, we took Heidi for her first drive-through Daiquiri experience. Then we gave her the “Katrina” tour of the 9th ward.

6-20-09 Flood Street intersecting Dorgenois in the 9th Ward, where my seamstress, Michelle, used to live

She was surprised by the amount of devastation still present, even 4 years later.

6-20-09 The 9th ward, still devastated 4 years later

There was some significant rebuilding, most notably, the Make It Right homes spearheaded by Brad Pitt. The houses are eco-friendly, hurricane friendlier, and made from recycled and reused materials. While beautiful, they are oddities in the neighborhood because their architecture is not “New Orleans.”

6-20-09 Make it Right House

After touring the 9th Ward, it was time to hit the town. I planned dinner at Muriel’s on Jackson Square and a night on Bourbon Street. Every first time visitor to New Orleans has to experience Bourbon at least once.

6-20-09 Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street, home of the famous Hand Grenade

There are some quintessential New Orleans sites a visitor has to see – here’s one – The Lucky Dog Stand!!

We stayed at the Hotel St. Ann Marie Antoinette on Conti Street, a half block from Bourbon. The building was old and the air conditioning did not work properly but the hotel staff (Thank you, Lloyd) took care of us. Here is a picture of Heidi and I before dinner at Muriel’s.

6-20-09 Dianne & Heidi going to Muriel's for dinner

Sunday was Father’s Day so we spent the day with my family. For breakfast, we ate at Carlos Mencia’s Suave restaurant. It was delicioso! Later, we met Mom and the krewe at Outback Steakhouse for Father’s Day dinner.

6-21-09 Heidi with my stepdad, Clay (left) and my brother, Gary (right)

After dinner, we ventured back into the French Quarter for more sightseeing with Mom and Clay.

6-21-09 Heidi in front of Jackson Square

Heidi oohed and ahhed over the architecture the day before, so I decided that we should go on a carriage ride through the Quarter. I took this next picture from the carriage – the statue of Joan of Arc, donated to New Orleans from our sister city of Orleans, France.

6-21-09 Joan of Arc Statue on Decatur Street

It was such a nice ride and our guide, John, was most accommodating.

6-21-09 Eliana with Ada the Mule from our carriage ride

Here’s a picture of Heidi with the family, in Jackson Square.

6-21-09 Clay, Mom, Eliana, Soleil and Heidi in the back

We ended the evening with beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Yum!

6-21-09 Cafe' Du Monde - Beignets & Cafe Ole'!

On Monday, we ate lunch at Grand Isle Restaurant on Fulton Street. It was a fabulous meal. Heidi had shrimp remoulade over fried green tomatoes. We stopped at the Piazza di Italia for a Kodak moment…

6-22-09 Eliana & Dianne at the gorgeous Piazza di Italia

While Heidi had a meeting with a client, I took Eliana to the Louisiana Children’s Museum. You can see Eliana’s pictures on her blog, ElianaCooks.com. Then we took Heidi on a tour of the Garden District, riding down the historic St. Charles Avenue.

6-22-09 St. Charles Streetcar

Heidi was amazed that two such different universities (Loyola and Tulane) stood beside each other. That’s New Orleans – everyone is a neighbor. Everyone is a friend.

6-22-09 Loyola University on St. Charles Avenue

Here is Heidi in front of a classic New Orleans shotgun house.

6-22-09 Heidi in front of a classic New Orleans shotgun house

On Monday night, we ate at my mom’s for some New Orleans classics – jambalaya, red beans & rice, crawfish & corn bisque, blackened chicken pasta, shrimp pasta, french bread, and bananas foster.

6-22-09 Louisiana Feast

So in Heidi’s four days in New Orleans, this is what she did:

1. Toured the French Quarter

2. Ate a shrimp po boy

2. Rode a carriage through the Quarter

3. Ate beignets at Cafe’ Du Monde

4. Saw Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral

5. Saw the famous “Cities of the Dead” cemeteries

6. Rode down St. Charles Avenue

7. Saw the St. Charles streetcar

8. Ate jambalaya, red beans & rice, crawfish & corn bisque, blackened chicken pasta, shrimp pasta, french bread, bananas foster and creole cream cheese icecream (all in one meal!)

9. Ate gumbo

10. Saw the Piazza di Italia

11. Saw the line at Mother’s (and decided not to eat there!) LOL

12. Experienced Bourbon Street

13. Toured the Katrina-devastated 9th Ward

14. Saw the Mississippi River and the Creole Queen, a paddle wheel boat

15. Ate at Muriel’s on Jackson Square

And in between all that, she hung out with my fabulous family! Heidi, I hope you had a good time, despite needing gills to breathe in our sultry city. Laissez les bon temps rouler – let the good times roll! Hugs, Heidi!

6-23-09 Heidi at the New Orleans Airport on her last morning in New Orleans. Farewell, Heidi!

Perhaps, dear reader, you will one day be my guest too.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Zulu spectators reach for beads 2-24-09

Friends:

Today was Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, in New Orleans. My family and I headed downtown around 11am with our friend, Willie, to catch Rex. We were going to our Grandstand spot on St. Charles and Poydras. We were not expecting to catch Zulu! It was an awesome surprise to see most of the Zulu floats. The parade, lucky for us, was running behind.

Zulu - Sheriff float 2-24-09

We dressed up as a family of pirates. Ahoy there, matey! Arrrgh!

Dianne and her pirate family (Soleil, Eliana & Antonio) 2-24-09

Our friend, Willie, was dressed as a king. All Hail King Willie!

King Willie 2-24-09

Zulu was named after the fiercest of the African tribes. What began as a spoof of the Rex parade has become a highly anticipated New Orleans tradition.

Zulu - Young Warriors float 2-24-09

Zulu’s theme was “Celebrating 100 Years as a New Orleans Tradition.” The parade had 35 floats and has1,200 male and female riders.

Zulu - Akosameb float 2-24-09

All the Zulu riders wear black and white face, regardless of their race. They throw a number of goodies including medallions and spears but the most highly sought after throw in all of carnival is the Zulu coconut. Each coconut is hand-painted and decorated by the Zulu krewe members. Mardi Gras revelers go crazy over Zulu coconuts. To receive the prized treasure, you must be close to the float because coconuts are not thrown, but handed to spectators.

Zulu - Postmaster General float with Egypt theme 2-24-09

The Zulu parade is a fun parade and marks the first of the signature parades that roll on Mardi Gras day.

Zulu - Griot float with Pat O'Brien's famous hurricane drink on front 2-24-09

After Zulu, it was time for Rex, King of Carnival. Rex is the symbol of the carnival season in New Orleans. The organization began in 1872 and created the Mardi Gras flag with the colors – purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). The krewe also invented the Mardi Gras doubloon, which has become a staple carnival throw.

Rex, King of Carnival float 2-24-09

Rex, King of Carnival, is toasted at Gallier Hall by Mayor of New Orleans. Rex’s identity is not revealed to the public until Mardi Gras day, when it is announced in the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper. Rex then stops further up the parade route (this year at the Grandstand at the Hotel Intercontinental) to toast his Queen.

Rex - Up close 2-24-09

This year’s theme was “Spirits of Spring,” with images of renewal and rebirth.

Rex - Throw Me Somethin, Mister! 2-24-09

The floats are rebuilt each year on wagon chassis with wooden spoke wheels. They are pulled by modern-day tractors.

Rex - The King's Jesters float 2-24-09

The Bouef Gras or Fat Ox represents the fattened meat before the Lenten season begins. The Bouef Gras is a traditional float in the Rex parade. Smoke pours forth from his nostrils.

Rex - The Bouef Gras float 2-24-09

Celebrating the city’s rebirth, Rex honors New Orleans with 24 floats that depict renewal and beginnings, 27 floats in all.

Rex - Spirits of Spring title float 2-24-09

Goddess Aphrodite’s shrine was located on Mount Eryx. One of her symbols, the Golden Honeycomb, was displayed in the temple erected in her honor. The temple’s priestesses were known as the melissae, or bees.

Rex - The Golden Honey Bees float 2-24-09

New Orleans has much in common with Venetian Carnavale, celebrating with masks, elaborate balls, and ending on Shrove Tuesday.

Rex - Venetian Carnavale float 2-24-09

Equinox means “equal night,” one of the two days each year when days and nights are nearly equal in length. The Spring Equinox is celebrated as the end of the long, cold winter and the beginning of the warmer, fertile growing season.

Rex - Vernal Equinox float 2-24-09

Poseidon was given dominion over the sea, the birthplace of life, when his parents divided the universe among their children. Poseidon is usually found with trident in his hand, riding in a chariot pulled by sea horses (the hippocampi), with dolphins at his side.

Rex - Poseidon float 2-24-09

Narcissus was a vain God. Many versions of his story exist. One says that a nymph, Echo, fell in love with him but he was so in love with his own reflection in a pool of water, that he ignored her. She pined away for him, echoing his name. Nemesis heard Echo’s prayers and then turned him into a flower doomed to stare at his own reflection forever.

Rex - Narcissus float 2-24-09

The Phoenix is a magnificent bird that lives for hundreds of years. It dies in flames, to be reborn again.

Rex - Phoenix float 2-24-09

This float is a recreation of one originally designed by Ceneilla Bower Alexander for the Rex Procession of 1914. As the winds of March announce the coming of Spring, the sprites and nymphs begin to awake from their Winter slumber.

Rex - Rhapsody of the March Wind float 2-24-09

The Streetcar Named Desire is one of New Orleans’ most famous streetcar lines. This permanent float honors that.

Rex - Streetcar Named Desire float 2-24-09

The calliope is a musical instrument that produces sound through whistles.

Rex - His Majesty's Royal Calliope float 2-24-09

In Aztec mythology this water Goddess was also associated birth and life.

Rex - Chalchiutlicue float 2-24-09

Freya, also known as Freyja, was a Nordic Goddess and leader of the Valkyries. She brought dead heroes to Valhalla. She flew over the earth, shaking Spring flowers from her blonde hair.

Rex - Freya, Nordic Spring Goddess float 2-24-09

The daughter of Demeter and Zeus, Persephone was abducted by Hades and taken to the Underworld. She eats six pomegranate seeds and has to spend six months with Hades. While Persephone is gone, Demeter grieves and keeps the earth barren. When Persephone returns, the earth comes back to life.

Rex - Persephone, Goddess of Spring 2-24-09

Also known as The Foliate Head, this symbol exists in many forms and in many cultures as a symbol of Spring and rebirth.

Rex - The Green Man 2-24-09

Celebrated in Valencia, Spain since the Middle Ages, this mid-Lenten festival culminates on March 19. Neighborhood groups compete in building fanciful figures of papier-mache and wax called ninots. They are set afire as the grand celebration draws to a close.

Rex - Las Fallas float 2-24-09

Ma-Ku is the Chinese Goddess of Springtime. According to legend, she took land from the sea and planted it with mulberry trees. Ma-Ku is also known as the Goddess of the Rain Cloud because Spring heralds the rainy season in China.

Rex - Ma-Ku, Chinese Goddess of Spring float 2-24-09

The butterfly symbolizes transformation and rebirth in many cultures. Her wings are the very symbol of Springtime.

Rex - Wings of Spring float 2-24-09

Zephyrus, the God of the West Wind, was the gentlest of winds. He was known as the messenger of Spring. Zephryus carried away the nymph, Chloris, making her the Goddess of Spring.

Rex - Zephyrus & Chloris float 2-24-09

The Greeks worshiped the Goddess Aphrodite. Doves lived in her temple. They would fly away each year. Aphrodite took the form of a Red Dove and led the returning doves. Aphrodite’s return to her temple officially ushered in Spring.

Rex - The Red Dove float 2-24-09

Bears fall in a deep slumber during the winter, hibernating. When they awaken, Spring has made her arrival.

Rex - Hibernating Bears float 2-24-09

The Royal Barge is one of Rex’s permanent floats. This float is the last remnant of the Royal Navy, boats carried on wagons that were part of the earliest Rex Processions.

Rex - The Royal Barge Float 2-24-09

Of course, no Rex parade would be complete without the Marching 100, the St. Aug (Augustine) band. Known for their theatrical dance moves, the band jazzes up the parade route annually, to throngs of adoring fans.

Rex - St. Aug Marching 100 2-24-09

The Citadel marches with precision.

Rex - The Citadel marches 2-24-09

Mardi Gras is a celebration like no other! If you haven’t been, please visit our fair city. The Fat Tuesday celebration is a time-honored tradition full of history and culture. Each parade is artfully created with gorgeous floats and a painstakingly-researched theme. The Mardi Gras krewes revere their traditions (many are generations old). In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is about celebrating with family and friends, as well as making mirth and merriment.

Here are Soleil and Eliana after the parade with throws around the neck and in the bag!

Soleil & Eliana the Pirates caught their treasures 2-24-09

The King’s jesters decided that it was time to return to the Castle…

The King's Jesters head back to the Castle 2-24-09

King Willie was lucky enough to meet Our Lady of the Gulf and Our Lady of the Swamp. LOL

King Willie with Our Lady of the Gulf (L) and Our Lady of the Swamp (R) 2-24-09

Come to New Orleans and live our rebirth! And always, laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

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

Telling stories to Ms. Ragusa's First Graders 2-9-09

Friends:

Today was my first day of my Louisiana Story Fest Residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary School. I have been doing an artist residency at this school for 7 years now. They are one of my favorite schools. For this residency, I am sharing Louisiana culture through its folk stories. For grades PK through 2, I tell a Louisiana tale and then we explore Louisiana music through movement, dance, and colorful scarves. It’s so much fun.

First graders explore Zydeco music with movement and scarves 2-9-09

My day began in Ms. Ragusa’s first grade class. They were a delightful and enthusiastic group of students. I told my story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they loved it. Then we explored Louisiana’s Zydeco and Cajun music through movement, dance and scarves.

Ms. Ragusa's first graders dancing Zydeco 2-9-09

Then it was off to Ms. Presser’s second grade class. What a phenomenal group of well-behaved students. They had a blast participating in the telling of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. We even had a lesson comparing Cornbread Boy to the Gingerbread Man.

A Cajun Cornbread Boy lesson with Ms. Presser's bright second grade students 2-9-09

They loved doing my drama activity, role-playing with scarves and dancing Zydeco. Ms. Presser is the kind of teacher I would have loved – her passion is displayed in the classroom and in her students.

Ms. Presser's second graders dance Zydeco 2-9-09

After second grade, it was downstairs to see Ms. Johnson’s kindergarten class. We had fun with The Cajun Cornbread Boy, singing the refrain, “Run, cher, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me – I’m full of cayenne!” Even Ms. Johnson was joining in! The children had a blast with the scarves.

Ms. Johnson's Kindergarteners dance with scarves to Zydeco 2-9-09

My last class before lunch was Ms. Frechette’s third grade class. I normally don’t tell stories to the upper grades but Ms. Frechette is special and her class is so well-behaved so I told The Cajun Cornbread Boy to them. Ms. Frechette was kind enough to lend me her microphone, which made my job so much easier! Thank you, Ms. Frechette! The students loved the story. Then we did our scarf role playing activity.

Third grade mother comforting the daughter, the bride who has been jilted 2-9-09

Here I am with one of Ms. Frechette’s fabulous third graders. One of her students told me, “Ms. Dianne, you made my year!” How’s that for a warm fuzzy?!

Ms. Dianne with a third grader playing a bride 2-9-09

After lunch, I headed upstairs to Ms. Morales’ 4th grade class. What a blast! I just love Ms. Morales. She is so much fun and her students were awesome! I showed them The Cajun Cornbread Boy book and they were amazed that I wrote it. Ms. Morales was excited about exploring Louisiana culture through its folk stories. Their story was “Jean Sotte (Foolish John).” First, we did our role-play exercise with the scarves.Even Ms. Morales got into the action, playing a high society woman walking her dog in Central Park.

4th grade teacher Ms. Morales walks her dog 2-9-09

Afterwards, I assigned roles for the parts in our story theater script, which they will perform in a couple of weeks, as a class.

My last class of the day was Mr. Joyce’s 5th grade class. These 5th graders were quite a challenge because they were so chatty. They had a difficult time following instructions because they simply didn’t listen. Once we moved into the drama activity, they had fun but they still had a hard time focusing because they socialize so much.

Mr. Joyce's 5th graders play a mother comforting her daughter, the jilted bride 2-9-09

We didn’t even have time to assign roles for their story. All in all, it was a wonderful day. Bissonet Plaza has a special place in my heart. Thank you, Ellen Miller (librarian), for always bringing me back!

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

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:

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

Madame Poule and Monsieur Roach, A New Orleans Folktale

Friends:

Happy Happy Joy Joy! Today, I received 2 book contracts in the mail, one I was expecting and one that was a delightful surprise. I received a new book contract from Libraries Unlimited for Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales and a new picture book with Pelican Publishing Company, Madame Poule & Monsieur Roach. The illustrations for the picture book will be done by Marita Gentry, illustrator of The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

So yes, today was a great day. Jumping up and down, up and down, up and down. And I’m not even dizzy yet! LOL

Happy Tales to You! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne & Gabby in my Scared Silly Show - October 8, 2008

Friends:

Today, I performed my “Scared Silly” show at the Gibson Branch Library in Gibson, Louisiana for 50 pre-K and Kindergarten students. We had so much fun with not-so-spooky stories. The children sang, danced, clapped, wiggled, and laughed. Here they are making frightening faces.

Making Frightening Faces - October 8, 2008

After the show, they crowded around for hugs and a big group picture. Say “Halloween!”

Dianne with Pre-K and K Students - October 8, 2008

Gibson is in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Terrebonne was one of the parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Gustav in August with severe wind and flood damage. Fortunately, the Gibson library survived. The entire library system is still without Internet. The library sits near the bank of beautiful Bayou Black.

Bridge Over Bayou Black - October 8, 2008

This is the view of the bayou from the bridge that is so narrow, only one vehicle can cross it at a time. I kept waiting for a troll to pop out from underneath the bridge. LOL It was a gorgeous, sunny day. Look at the glass water.

View from Bridge Over Bayou Black - October 8, 2008

On my way to Highway 20, I passed a quaint country church. It’s so cute and postcard picturesque.

Cute Country Church - October 8, 2008

Charlotte, the branch manager, suggested a great place to eat – Wilson’s Country Corner. Charlotte is such a sweetheart. I am always welcomed like family when I visit her library. Thank you, Charlotte! Wilson’s Country Corner was right by the entrance to Highway 90 (my way home) so I had to stop. I ate the best boudin balls and rockin’ roast beef po-boy, dripping with gravy. Mmmm! Mmmm! Mmmm!

Rockin' Roast Beef Poboy - October 8, 2008

What a delicious way to end the performance day! Merci beaucoup, Gibson Library. See you next year!

Until next time…

Warmly,
Dianne