3-24-11 Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach are BFFs...

Friends:

Today was my fifth library system in Kansas for my summer reading workshop tour. Today I went to Southwest Kansas Library System in Dodge City. We began the workshop with a fun creativity exercise in which the workshop participants had to create a self portrait out of items from their purses, pockets and wallets.

3-24-11 A creative self-portrait by a SWKLS Librarian made out of items from her purse

Then it was time for some draw and tell tales to open the workshop. First, we began with a story I created to represent China, “The Emperor’s Dragon,” which is in my Handmade Tales book.

3-24-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a story to represent China

I taught the librarians another draw and tell story, “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” which utilizes the numbers 1 through 7 to create the picture of a mouse. So cute!

3-24-11 The mouse from the story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Handmade Tales

After showing the librarians a Japanese scroll story, Russian nesting dolls made of out paper, and “The Ugly Duckling,” we did the story of “Papa’s Teepee,” which turns into cool snowflakes made out of coffee filters!

3-24-11 Southwest Kansas Librarians create a blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was time for “Bandana Man,” a fun version of “The Gingerbread Man.” First, they had to use their bandanas to make themselves into old women.

3-24-11 Look at the cute little old women from the story, Bandana Man

Then, they turned their bandanas into babies.

3-24-11 Librariaas crack up as they burp their babies

Finally, they folded their bandanas into Bandana Man! “Run, run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m Bandana Man!”

3-24-11 Librarians made Bandana Man, an adaptation of The Gingerbread Man

Then it was time for string figure stories. I taught them “The Stubborn Turnip” and how to make a string star. It’s so adorable!

3-24-11 Stephanie is a star! Woo hoo!

I also showed them how to make the “One Snip Star,” creating a five pointed star with just one snip of the scissors. Very cool!

3-24-11 The One-Snip Star! Too cool!

After lunch, we switched gears and did Tangram Tales. After demonstrating Tangrams and teaching the librarians how to create a set out of Fun Foam, I challenged them to an “Invent-A-Tangram” Contest. Look at the winning Tangram! I love it!!

3-24-11 The winning Invent-A-Tangram - A woman in the tub reading a book

When it was time for the Tangram Story Theater, these librarians got revved up! They performed “Tigers Tales, Anansi’s Stories” and had a fantastically fun story chorus singing, “Feel the story beat, feel the story beat, shake-a-shake-a-shake, shake-a-shake-a-shake. Feel the story beat, feel the story beat, shake-a-shake-a-shake, shake-a-shake-a-shake. UH!!” The storytellers involved the audience with participation and sound effects and the Tangram artists made every Tangram perfect! It was AWESOME!!

3-24-11 The Queen Bee Tangram in Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories Tangram story theater

The last part of the workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them activities for The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Mama’s Bayou, and The Gigantic Sweet Potato. Then I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with Johnny and his roach friends…

3-24-11 Monsieur Roach and friends party like it's 1999!

It was so much fun seeing all the “roaches” on the ground, legs up! Hahahahaha!

3-24-11 Madame Poulet's aftermath - no more roaches partying in her house!

I ended with show them my new book, There’s a Dragon in the Library and all the activities that go with it. Look at this accordion dragon made by Millie Dearden!

3-24-11 Millie is a cutie with her accordion dragon puppet!

I worked with such a phenomenal group of librarians! Thank you so much for your energy and hospitality. Sara McFarland, I hope you feel better… here’s a hug! Then it was time to get the heck out of Dodge (I have always wanted to say that! LOL) and head to Salina, Kansas, a three hour drive from Dodge City. On the way, I caught this cool picture near a wind farm. It looks sort of like a tornado funnel forming but it was just rain…

3-24-11 It looks like a funnel is forming in the Kansas plains but it's just rain...

But on the way to Salina, there was hail! Lots of it! Kansas weather is always an adventure! Thank you to Charlene and her hubby, Ed, for transporting me from Dodge City to Salina. We stopped to eat at Woody’s Smokehouse in Great Bend. Look at all these barbecue sauces!

3-24-11 The many barbecue sauces of Woody's Smokehouse in Great Bend, Kansas

Another great day in the fair state of Kansas! Tomorrow is my last summer reading workshop in Kansas. I’m looking forward to meeting another cool group of librarians!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-23-11 Kansas' vast plains and green winter wheat

Friends:

Today began the second half of my Summer Reading Workshop Tour in Kansas. I flew into Wichita on Tuesday, March 22, and, after a long drive, arrived at my bed and breakfast in Norton, Kansas very late. Thank you to Gail Santy and George Seamon for being my chauffer. Thank you, Gail, for your excellent tour guide skills. I learned so much about Kansas!

3-23-11 The Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast

I stayed at The Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast, a pretty house in town. Sharon’s house is like a museum, filled with so many interesting items! I met Sharon’s 9 year old granddaughter, Genesis, who was so sweet.

3-23-11 The Rose of Sharon house full of dolls and porcelain figurines

The Northwest Kansas Library System (“NWKLS”) summer reading workshop began with a draw and tell story called “The Emperor’s Dragon,” a story I created to represent China.

3-23-11 Amy draws The Emperor's Dragon, a Chinese Tale

Next, I showed them the draw and tell tale of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” It’s a fun story in which the numbers create an illustration. Isn’t it cute? Great job, Mary!

3-23-11 Mary Allen draws the mouse from the story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps

We did the story of “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” a cut and tell story from my book, Handmade Tales.

3-23-11 NWKLS Librarians do Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

I showed them how to create the Ugly Duckling and the Beautiful Swan from towels.

3-23-11 The Ugly Duckling and the Beautiful Swan

After showing them a Japanese scroll story and paper Russian nesting dolls, we did the cut and tell story, “Papa’s Teepee,” which turns into a snowflake. Then we created a blizzard! Brrrr!

3-23-11 Creating a blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was on to “Bandana Man!” It’s such a popular story and kids love watching the bandana transform.

3-23-11 Old women from the story of Bandana Man

And the bandana men came out sooo cute!

3-23-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can; you can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

We did some string stories and I love it when librarians get excited about mastering a new skill! Woo hoo, Sharon!

3-23-11 Sharon is sooo excited to make the string figure star!

Just before lunch, I taught them all how to make a perfect five-pointed paper star with strategic folds and one snip of the scissors.

3-23-11 Yes, these librarians are STARS!

After our taco bar lunch, we got back into the swing of things with Tangrams. I taught them how to create a tangram without a pattern and challenged them to invent a Tangram. Anna was the winner! Way to go, Anna!

3-23-11 Anna is the winner of the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her Rose in Bloom Tangram!

Then it was time for Tangram Story Theater. The group did a great job performing “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories,” a tale from the West Indies. “Let’s feel the story beat, let’s feel the story beat. UH!”

3-23-11 Performing Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories Tangram story theater

The final part of my workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy illustrated by Marita Gentry and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets.

3-23-11 Sharon cuts out The Cajun Cornbread Boy puppet after coloring him

I performed an excerpt of The Gigantic Sweet Potato and it was so much fun. Thanks, George and Judy (like the Jetsons? Where’s Jane?!). LOL

3-23-11 George and Judy help Dianne act out The Gigantic Sweet Potato

Then it was time to perform the hilarious Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. George Seamon, the NWKLS Library Consultant was Monsieur Roach. Sometime during the workshop, George landed the nickname, “Big Daddy Librarian.” All the librarians LOVED it and vowed to call him that from now on. Fortunately, George has a wonderful sense of humor and had fun with it. Look at how tall he is… he’s 6’4″! BIG DADDY LIBRARIAN!

3-23-11 Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach were once the best of friends...

I love the part of the story where all the roaches end up on the floor, dead, with their legs up! Too funny!

3-23-11 Monsieur Roach and all his roach buddies are legs up once Madame Poulet finds out the truth!

I ended the workshop with There’s a Dragon in the Library and the librarians loved the accordion dragon. Judy, you did such a great job! Judy, who had seen me last year at the Kansas Storytelling Festival, said to me, “Dianne, I am lucky that your bright comet flew through my Kansas sky twice!” Awww, Judy… You are sooo sweet!

3-23-11 Judy models her accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

After my workshop finished, George took me to Nebraska. Yes, I stepped foot in Nebraska and now I can say I’ve been there! LOL

3-23-11 Dianne de Las Casas visits Nebraska!

Then George took me to an adobe house at the local state park. The house, named “Lady of the Prairie,” was built in the 1890s. Since that time, it has been restored.

3-23-11 This adobe house was constructed in the 1890s

My day ended with another long drive to my final destination. I will tell you this. I have never seen so much open space! It’s breathtaking how the land just stretches for miles. I was told that in Kansas, there are more cows per capita than people! Funny little factoid. Here, in the plains, I felt the powerful Kansas winds. There were times I felt like I would be swept away like Dorothy!

The people of Kansas have been so kind and sweet. Thank you, NWKLS, for having me as your summer reading presenter this year. You have swept me off my feet with your hospitality! Here’s to “One World, Many Stories!”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-9-11 SCASL 2011 Welcome basket in my room

Friends:

I’ve had some technical difficulties with my photos from my new camera so I only have a few shots on this blog from my iPhone. Last week, on Thursday and Friday, March 10 and 11, 2011, I was a featured author and speaker at the SCASL (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) conference. I was picked up at the airport by Drucie Gullion and Angie Bardin. They were so sweet and so much fun! When I arrived at my room, a welcome basket was waiting. Very classy!

On my first day of the conference, my first workshop was “Story Safari,” a workshop about the basics of storytelling. It was hilariously fun, especially the storytelling exercise in which groups had to act out animals in dire situations such as the one below.

3-10-11 Story Safari workshop participants acting out three animals stuck inside a boat adrift at sea

At the SCASL Awards luncheon, I was amazed by the incredibly gorgeous “vases” in the middle of the tables. They were vases made out of books that were handcut to look like vases! WOW!

3-10-11 Gorgeous handmade book vase centerpiece

After taking an amazing workshop on “Handmade Books” by Susan Gaylord, it was time to sign autographs. My friend, the amazing Kitt (“Kee-yit”) Lisenby, was at the head of the line. She is such a wonderful person!

3-10-11 Dianne's autograph line

My second workshop of the day was my “Tangram Tales” workshop. I taught the workshop participants how to create Tangram sets without a pattern, how to manipulate the geometric shapes to create pictures, and how to perform a “Tangram Story Theater.” They even invented new Tangrams!

3-10-11 Gorgeous handmade book vase centerpiece

On Day 2 of the conference, I delivered a talk at the Author’s Award Luncheon on how important libraries have been in my life and ended with the story of “The King’s Advisor,” from Handmade Tales. The talented author and illustrator, Joe Kulka, was awarded the Picture Book of the Year award. What a great guy!

3-11-11 The audience at the SCASL 2011 Author Awards Luncheon

I connected with old friends (Thanks Kitt, Jed & Kristen!), made new friends (Drucie, Angie, Susan, Joe, and so many others), and had a fantastic time. Thank you SCASL for honoring me with a return visit!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-18-10 Performing a draw and tell version of Let's Trim the Tree

Friends:

Friday, December 17, 2010 was my tenth and last day of my Twisted Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. It was a fabulous day and I had so much fun with the kids. My ten year old daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, came with me and we had a blast.

On this day my third and fourth grade students were performing their fractured fairytales. I chose a winner from each class and they read their stories to their peers. After all the stories were read, they voted on the overall winner. In third grade, the winners were Joshua, Brianna, Haley & Dawn from Ms. Fury’s class for their story, “Who Dats Crossing.” The students loved the story and everyone really got into singing the chorus. The winning stories for each grade will be posted in separate blog posts.

12-17-10 Dianne with Ms. Fury's third graders performing their story, Who Dats Crossing

In fourth grade, the winners were from Ms. Naugle’s class: Evelyn, Angelique, Connor, Chad, Lajosh & Timmy for “Little Red Riding.” What a great story! Little Red Riding had a hot red Corvette. The big bad wolf was a mechanic. It was so cute. Good job, boys and girls! The students listening to the story really enjoyed it and laughed a lot.

12-18-10 Fourth graders performing their fractured fairytale during P.E. period

I performed stories for the other grades but second grade was a love fest for Kid Chef Eliana!

Kid Chef Eliana

I introduced her and her cookbook and they went gaga over her, asking her all kinds of questions! Kid Chef Eliana was a celebrity!

12-18-10 Second graders ask Kid Chef Eliana questions about food and cooking

Eliana and I had a fabulous day. Thank you so much to Ms. Lombardino, Ms. Kelly, Coach E, and Ms. Miller for their help and time. They are a fantastic team and I LOVE working with them!

A special thank you to Ellen Miller, Librarian; Ms. Easley, Principal; and Ms. Hammernick, Assistant Principal. Much love to my diva office ladies: Donne, Tammy, and Kristie! Bissonet rocks!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-20-10 Towel Animal #1 - Puppy dog with long ears

Friends:

Since Day 3 was a mostly uneventful day at sea and I didn’t take any pictures, I thought I would share a summary of the week’s towel animals in my stateroom. As you can see from above, Day 1 was a puppy dog. Day 2 was a Brontosaurus dinosaur. My steward had to tell me that because I had a hard time figuring it out!

11-21-10 Towel Animal #2 - Brontosaurus dinosaur

On Day 3, I returned to my room to find an adorable elephant! I love how, Maynor, our steward, used the sunglasses to make him “cool.”

11-22-10 Towel Animal #3 - Elephant

Day 4 was a cat lying down. Again, I had to ask Maynor to decipher the animal for me. I thought it was a girl with pigtails lying down! Maybe if it had whiskers…

11-23-10 Towel Animal #4 - Cat lying down

Day 5 was my favorite animal of all – the frog! Yes, it was clearly a frog!!

11-24-10 Towel Animal #5 - Frog!

Day 6 was a pig sitting down. Antonio figured this one out. LOL

11-25-10 Towel Animal #6 - Pig

Day 7 was also super cute! I love the bunny lounging on the pillow!

11-26-10 Towel Animal #7 - Bunny

Our bonus animal was a seal with a chocolate on each fin. Awwww.

11-26-10 Towel Animal #8 - Seal

I took a towel folding class on board the ship on my last sea day and bought a book! You can be sure that towel animals will make their way into my Handmade Tales 2 book!! Stay tuned…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas with Fans

5 Tips on How to Use Your Facebook Fan Page Effectively
By Dianne de Las Casas

If you are a business or a celebrity (author, artist, musician, or performing artist), you can open a “Fan Page” on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages According to Facebook, a fan page can be used to “create a presence that looks and behaves like user profiles to connect and engage with your customers and amplify your voice to their friends.” In other words, it’s a professional way to connect with your customers or audience, and send your message.

Once you have established your fan page, here are some tips to help you use your fan page effectively.

1. Grow Your Fans and Interact - Invite your existing friends from your personal profile to become fans. Ask them to spread the word by telling their friends about your fan page. If you are on Twitter, tweet about your page and ask people to join. You can also put a “fan box” on your personal Facebook profile advertising your fan page. Encourage fans to post to your page, creating interaction. Answer fans’ posts to show you care and that you want to stay connected.

2. Claim Your Name – When you reach 100 fans, you can “claim your name.” Instead of a bunch of numbers and letters appearing in the URL, you will have a dedicated URL like this: http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne You can claim your name here http://www.facebook.com/username/

3. Post Items – Post items on your wall that are related to your business. You can feed your business’ blog into the page, upload pictures and videos, and show customer testimonials. You can also use the events calendar to post upcoming events for your business.

4. Send Updates – Send out regular updates, letting your fans know what is new on the page. Be careful not to overwhelm people with too many updates – this can be quite annoying. I send out a once a week updates, on Fridays, letting my fans know what is new on my page and reminding them to participate.

5. Utilize Feeds – Link your fan page to your friend feed. Whenever you post something new, it will feed into your fans’ friend feed. You can also link the fan page to your Twitter account. Any time you post something new or add an event, it is automatically tweeted on your account.

Creating a Facebook Fan Page is a great way to connect with your customers and fan base. It allows your fans to have a more personal connection with you, which allows your brand to grow.

Want to connect with Dianne?

Friend Me!
http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas

Fan Me!
http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne

Follow Me!
http://www.twitter.com/storyconnection

6-14-09 Paper Bag Pinata

Friends:

For your next party, try this super simple paper bag pinata! This one took me 10 minutes!

Materials:
Paper bag with handles (large gift bags work well)
Construction Paper
Streamers
Glue
Tape
Markers
Stapler
Candy & small prizes
Optional: Glitter

Instead of the usual pinata, try this handmade version. With construction paper, create a picture collage that fits the theme of your party (a pirate for a Pirate Party, a mermaid for Under the Sea, a cowboy for a Rodeo Roundup etc). You can look up images on the Internet for inspiration. Glue the picture collage to the both sides of the bag. For glitz and glamour, add glitter. Glue or tape streamers to the bottom of the bag. Stuff the bag with candy and goodies. Staple the top of the bag closed. Now you have a paper bag pinata for your party!

6-14-09 Eliana & Paper Bag Pinata

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

100_9939

Originally uploaded by Story Connection

Friends:

My last day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary doing my Louisiana Story Fest residency was amazing. The students in 3rd, 4th & 5th grades performed beautifully. They did such a wonderful job that I have to say they were the best Story Fest performances I have ever seen. Thank you to the students and teachers of Bissonet Plaza Elementary for being so wonderful. You all rock!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Lemoine's first graders have fun! 2-11-09

Friends:

It was Day 3 of my Louisiana Story Fest residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. Ms. Lemoine’s first grade class was my first visit. The students really enjoyed my telling of Cajun Cornbread Boy. They loved the scarf activity and had a ball. Here they are dancing to Zydeco music.

Ms. Lemoine's first graders dance Zydeco 2-11-09

Then it was upstairs to Ms. Vizzini’s second grade class. What a well-controlled group of students. They were quiet, attentive, and cooperative. They listened to me tell The Cajun Cornbread Boy, then we moved into our scarf and music activity.

Ms. Vizzini's 2nd graders dance with scarves 2-11-09

Ms. Vizzini joined us, playing the triangle in a Cajun band. You go, Ms. Vizzini!

Ms. Vizzini, 2nd grade teacher plays the triangle 2-11-09

With a couple of second graders helping me, we hauled my suitcase to Ms. Bonnano’s Kindergarten class. Ms. Bonnano had such energetic, inquisitive students who really enjoyed our activities. One little girl said, “Can you be our teacher forever?!” So cute!

Ms. Bonnano's Kindergarteners rock the Zydeco! 2-11-09

Then it was off to Ms. Massa’s third grade class. They were a wonderful group of students who really listened and participated in the activity.

Ms. Massa's third graders play women walking their dogs in Central Park 2-11-09

I had so much fun because the students really enjoyed the activities. Creativity abounded in this classroom!

Ms. Massa's third graders portray a bus full of bad students 2-11-09

After lunch, I went to Ms. Naugle’s 4th grade class. I love Ms. Naugle – she has been one of my favorite Strehle teachers for years. She is passionate about teaching and never shuns away from something new. This year, she has a technology integrated classroom – she has a website, an accessible E-board, an interactive blog, and even engages her students in video chat lesson plan exchanges with students from other schools around the country. Wow!

Ms. Naugle’s class was so excited about the activity that it was a challenge to get them to settle down between roles. But the class was bursting with creativity and I saw some exceptional work.

Ms. Naugle's 4th graders play a mother comforting her daughter, the jilted bride 2-11-09

Here are some students who worked so well in their group.

Ms. Naugle's 4th graders portray a restaurant scene 2-11-09

After 4th grade, it was time for my last class – 5th grade. When I first came into the room, they were quiet and attentive. But once we shed the structure of the classroom and moved into the drama activity, they lost self-control. It was the first time I had to terminate the scarf activity. They did get to do individual role-playing exercises but were not able to do partner work.

Ms. Brumfield's last period fifth grade class portray a boy who was caught stealing an apple from the neighbor's tree 2-11-09

I was disappointed in this bright group of 5th graders because I can see such potential in their young faces. I look forward to seeing how they will conduct themselves the next time I work with them.

That’s what teaching is about. There are joys and there are challenges. Ultimately, the joys outweigh the challenges and I love seeing the students’ faces light up when they are enjoying themselves and learning something new.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Ms. Buras' first graders explore Zydeco with scarves 2-10-09

Friends:

Today was my second day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary doing my Louisiana Story Fest residency. My day began in Ms. Buras’ first grade class. The students loved the story of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. Afterwards, we had a blast exploring Zydeco and Cajun music with scarves. Here are some students dancing Zydeco! Too cute!

Ms. Buras' first graders dance as couples to Zydeco 2-10-09

Afterwards, it was upstairs to second grade to visit Ms. Leblanc’s class. They were an attentive, fun-loving group of students. Here they are passing a good time with the music and scarves.

Ms. Leblanc's second graders dance Zydeco 2-10-09

Next, I traveled downstairs to see the Kindergarteners of Ms. Hahn’s class. We had such a great time with the scarves. Look at us in our dance circle!

Ms. Dianne dances with Ms. Hahn's Kindergarteners 2-10-09

I really enjoyed seeing Ms. Arnett’s third grade class. They loved hearing about The Cajun Cornbread Boy book. We then began preparing for story theater by doing some drama role-playing activities with the scarves.

Ms. Arnett's third graders role play a woman walking her dog in Central Park 2-10-09

Even Ms. Arnett participated! She is so cute role-playing with one of her students!

Ms. Arnett and a student portray a mother comforting her daughter, the jilted bride 2-10-09

After lunch, I headed to Ms. Morrow’s 4th grade class. What a fantastic group of students! They radiated joy and appreciation. With a teacher like Ms. Morrow, it’s no wonder! She is positive, upbeat and appreciative of my presence in her classroom.

Ms. Mrrow's 4th graders play a boy stealing an apple from a neighbor's tree 2-10-09

Here is Ms. Morrow getting in on the action with a group of her students. I love when a teacher leads by example, participating in the activity. What fun they all had! You rock, Ms. Morrow! And thank you for sharing your birthday cupcakes, Mishi! (Yes, Ms. Morales, I still love you too!)

Ms. Morrow and her 4th graders play a bus full of bad students 2-10-09

Finally, I ended my day in Ms. McLeod’s last period fifth grade class. They were a wonderful group of students to work with, at times a little chatty but they always settled down when asked. They delighted in the role-playing activities and I could see the sheer joy on their faces.

Ms. McLeod's 5th graders play a woman walking her dog in Central Park 2-10-09

I enjoyed this group of students. One of the girls said to me, “Ms. Dianne, you are so pretty!” We had to take a picture together. Thank you, sweetheart!

Ms. Dianne poses with a 5th grade student 2-10-09

I look forward to more time with my Bissonet students!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne