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:

The above picture is the morning view from my ocean front room at the Fiesta Resort Hotel. Wow!

My day began with Cyndy Pruski picking me up (she’s with the Guam Reading Council) to head to Finegayan Elementary School in the northern part of Guam. Again, there was a warm welcome. The school made a beautiful sign for me, based on the artwork of my “Jambalaya” CD, presented me with a HUGE gift basket, and placed a gorgeous Kukui nut lei around my neck.

I performed my “Jump, Jiggle & Jam” show and it was a hit. The audience was fabulous as were the teachers and staff. They also prepared a small “merienda” (snack) for me following the show.

This is a picture after the hugs from the Finegayan students. So sweet!

After Finegayan, Cyndy took me to Truman Elementary in the south of Guam. I learned so much about the Chamorro culture from Cyndy, who served as my impromptu tour guide, as well as from the Chamorro displays at the schools.

The teachers at Truman prepared a tasty fiesta for me. I even tried a Chamorro specialty - chicken keliguin, a spicy type of chicken salad. Mmmmmm!

After the fiesta, Evelyn, one of my other hosts, had a special Chamorro storytelling presentation performed for me by her second grade students (performed in the Chamorro language). It was delightful. On my way to the auditorium, where I was to perform, I was serenaded with a ukelele by a fifth grade boy named Anthony. What an honor!

I performed to a packed house!

After my performances, I did a little shopping (Thanks, Cyndy!). Then I headed back to my hotel for a little R&R on the beach. Breathtaking!

I ended the day with an interview with Sonya Artero, a local newscaster on one of the TV stations in Guam. She was a complete delight. We just clicked and hit it off. Then I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant with Tina Buendicho and her 13 year old daughter, Edriana.

The people of Guam are so warm and friendly. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Until then,

Warmly, Dianne

P.S. Love to Antonio, Soleil & Eliana!

Jurassic Mardi Gras
By Dianne de Las Casas
© 2005

Note from Dianne: This story was inspired by the Jurassic Mardi Gras float I created with my brother, Gary, and his son, Jourdan.

Around the corner and down the street
The dinos move to the mambo beat
All the abominable beasts are out
Getting ready for the parade route
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

On Napoleon and Claiborne
Camarasaurus blows her horn
Diplodocus counts each doubloon
As Gallimimus yells, “We’re rolling soon!”
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Down Napoleon roll the big beasts
On sweet King Cake, Janenschia feasts
Brachiosaurus throws his beads
As Riojaurus sits back and reads
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Turning on St. Charles, the huge crowd roars
To see Rex, King of Carnivores
Dimorphodon swoops into the crowd
They all cheer and yell so loud
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Around Lee Circle they boom and bop
Then in front of the Grand Stand the dinos stop
The mayor toasts and cheers the King dinosaur
And Rex roars as the crowd cheers some more
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Moving and grooving to the carnival sound
The dinosaurs are the hippest beasts around
The mega monsters turn on Canal Street
And Wannanosaurus wiggles to the marching band beat
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Styracosaurus balances bundles of throws
Baryonyx boogies while he’s on the go
Pterodactylus spins and soars around
The crazy creatures love to party downtown
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Zigongosaurus is dancing zydeco
Velociraptor takes a Lucky Dog to go
Singing his catchy Mardi Gras tunes
The great Notoceratops swings and swoons
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Passing Magazine and nearing the end
Mamenchisaurus looks down and makes a friend
Triceratops stops and sings the blues
As Apatosaurus dances in her blue suede shoes
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Tchoupitoulas is where the procession ends
In the Crescent City, where the river bends
A jazz band plays a super cool groove
All the dinosaurs get up and bust a move
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

Spectators gather in awe of the view
Beads fly from the floats of this motley krewe
“Throw me something, mister,” the dino crowd roars
Everyone hails the King of Dinosaurs
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

King Rex waves goodbye until next year
The crowd romps and stomps and chomps and cheers
It’s a jumping Jurassic Mardi Gras
Hooray for all the jaws and claws
Jurassic Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
Down in New Orleans

ROAR!!!

Friends,

Here in New Orleans, it is Lundi Gras (which is French for “Fat Monday,” the Monday before Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday”). The Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Mardi Gras mark the appearance of the “Super Krewes.” On Saturday, Endymion rolls, one of the largest Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. On Sunday, Bacchus, the God of Wine, rolls. Orpheus, orchestrated by New Orleans’ own Harry Connick, Jr., catches the limelight on Monday. All of these “weekend” parades are night parades, illuminated by dazzling displays of fiber optics, animatronics, and huge, colorful floats.

Mardi Gras is a grand spectacle. There’s nothing like it in the world. It’s the world’s biggest free parade. The season kicks off on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas, the Epiphany. It is during this time that king cakes, one of New Orleans’ most delicious confections, become available. In 1871, the Twelfth Night Revelers made Mardi Gras history when a “king cake” was presented to a woman. Inside was hidden a golden bean, signifying her selection as the “Mardi Gras Queen.” King Cakes are now elaborate creations decorated in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold and stuffed with fruit or cream cheese fillings. Traditionally, inside the King Cake, you will find a small, plastic baby, which represents the Christ Child. The person who gets the “baby” buys the next King Cake.

Another great Mardi Gras tradition are the “throws.” Beads, stuffed animals, doubloons, and other trinkets are flung from the floats by masked riders. Crowds go crazy for these colorful treasures and they are the hallmark of a great parade. Here are some Mardi Gras throws caught by my daughters this past weekend.

So what do we do with all these beads? We give them away to out-of-town friends and family. We string them on our Christmas trees. We craft with them. Check out these Mardi Gras maracas made by me and Eliana, my seven year old.

You can make these too, even if you don’t have Mardi Gras beads. The first one is a clear soda or water bottle filled with beads. You can also fill the bottle with beans, rice, and pasta. The second one, decorated with Valentine stickers is a toilet paper roll. Staple one end shut. Fill it with beads, rice, beans or pasta (less is better for a fuller sound). Staple the remaining opening shut, but staple it in the other direction, forming a triangle.

Another Mardi Gras tradition is for children to create Mardi Gras shoe box floats. Schools and malls often hold shoe box float contests. This season, I helped my six year old, first grader niece, Ashlynn, create a “Valentine” float to celebrate the 100th day of school. On the float we glued 100 candy sweethearts. Yes, there are exactly 100. We counted them six times!

And, there are Mardi Gras beads glued to the float as well. Creating a shoe box float is easy. First, you need a medium-sized shoe box. Cover the shoe box and lid with wrapping or construction paper of your choice. Turn the shoe box upside down so that the opening is on the bottom. The lid of the shoe box is glued to the back of the box, creating a “wall” or a “throne” effect. Now all you have to do is decorate. Choosing a theme, like the Krewes do with the real Mardi Gras floats, is the easiest way to create a cool float. Consider your favorite TV show or cartoon, animals, insects, dinosaurs, dolls (Barbies, Bratz, etc.), holidays, movies, etc. The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination!

Happy Lundi Gras, friends. Laissez les bon temps rouler - let the good times roll!

Warmly, Dianne