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Kansas Summer Reading Workshop, NWKLS – Wednesday, March 23, 2011

by Dianne on March 23, 2011

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

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South Carolina Association of School Librarians Conference – March 10-11, 2011

by Dianne on March 14, 2011

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

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshop Tour – St. Louis, Friday, March 4, 2011

by Dianne on March 4, 2011

3-4-11 Oh, baby! These librarians are truly stars!

Friends:

Oh my goodness! What a FANTABULOUS day!! I had the best time at St. Louis County Library on the fifth and final day of my Summer Reading Workshop Tour. I worked with such a fun, spirited group of librarians and boy, did we laugh full belly laughs!

3-4-11 St. Louis County Library participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

After opening with a creativity exercise in which workshop participants had to create a self-portrait using items from her purse, we began with draw and tell tales. First, I showed the St. Louis librarians how to do the story, “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. Cool!

3-4-11 Jeanie draws The Emperor's Dragon from Handmade Tales

Next, I showed them a scroll story from Japan, paper Russian nesting dolls, towel folding, and a story called “Papa’s Teepee” that uses a coffee filter to create a snowflake. I never get tired of creating the “blizzard!” LOL

3-4-11 It's a snow blizzard of coffee filter snow flakes!

After a refreshment break, we worked on the story, “Bandana Man.” Look at how cute Mary-Carol is as the little old lady in the story!

3-4-11 Mary-Carol is a fine old lady in the story of Bandana Man from Handmade Tales

They learned a string story, “The Stubborn Turnip” and even mastered the string figures!

3-4-11 Youthful librarians create a string figure bowl and saucer in the story, The Stubborn Turnip, from Handmade Tales

They had lots of fun and even learned how to create a magic star with a single snip of the scissors!

3-4-11 Those St. Louis Librarians sure do reach for the stars!

During lunch, I was inspired by the lunch box that my food came in. I created a mini shadow puppet theater. Yes, I am so going to use this idea in the future!

3-4-11 During lunch, I created a shadow puppet theater out of my lunch box. Nia help me illuminate it from behind with a flashlight.

We began the second half of the workshop with Tangram Tales. After teaching the librarians how to cut a Tangram set without a pattern, I held the Invent-A-Tangram contest. Julie won with her adorable puppy dog!! I mean, look how precious this pooch is!

3-4-11 Joyous Julie wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest with her cute puppy dog! Way to go, girl!

Then we created a Tangram Story Theater. It was so lively, especially with my funky story chorus creating a hip hop beat! “Ungh, ungh, ungh, ungh!”

3-4-11 St. Louis Librarians rock the Tangram Story Theater, performing Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Then it was on to the “Picture Book Make and Takes” portion of my workshop. First, I showed them an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made the spicy little puppets.

3-4-11 The Cajun Cornbread Boy is full of cayenne!

Then, with the help of Jennifer as Monsieur Roach, and her five roach buddies, we performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They were AMAZING! Look at these roaches dead on the floor! LOLOLOL

3-4-11 Roaches dead on the floor in the story, Madame Paoulet and Monsieur Roach. HILARIOUS!

I ended the workshop with There’s a Dragon in the Library and it was wonderful showing them all the activities that went with the book such as the jumbo accordion dragon.

3-4-11 Jeanie, Mary-Carol and Jennifer stretch out their dragons in There's a Dragon in the Library!

It was an awesome day and I LOVED being in St. Louis. Thank you to the fabulous hostess with the mostest, Desiree, who took care of me all day long. Desiree, you were amazing and I love your energy and enthusiasm. Thank you and a BIG HUG to Naphtali Faris and Barbara from the State Library of Missouri. I had a phenomenal week and sooo appreciate the hospitality of the librarians across the marvelous state of Missouri.

Happy Tales to You!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshop – Cape Girardeau, Thursday, March 3, 2011

by Dianne on March 3, 2011

3-3-11 The Youth Section of the library in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Friends:

Today was Day 4 of my 5-day Summer Reading Workshop tour in the state of Missouri. Today I was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, south of St. Louis. The workshop was hosted by the Cape Girardeau Public Library. It is a GORGEOUS library that is only about a year and a half old. I love the Youth section of the library. The entrance is pictured above.

The workshop began with a creativity exercise. Workshop participants created a self-portrait using items from their purses. I like this one!

3-3-11 Self-portrait created by a librarian with items from her purse. Love the hair!

We began with draw and tell tales. First, was “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my Handmade Tales book. Next, we did “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.”

3-3-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Handmade Tales

After that, I taught them how to do the story, “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.” It’s such a fun story and easy to tie into the 2011 summer reading theme, “One World, Many Stories.”

3-3-11 Joseph Had a Little Overcoat from Handmade Tales

Then I showed the librarians lots of great storytelling techniques from around the world: scroll tales from Asia, paper nesting dolls from Russia, towel folding to accompany a story from Denmark, and a cut and tell paper called “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-3-11 Librarians create a snow blizzard from coffee filter snowflakes

Then it was on to the ever popular “Bandana Man.” They had a good time folding their bandanas into babies!

3-3-11 These librarians just LOVE their bandana babies!

Teaching string stories can be challenging, especially when there is not a lot of time for instruction but these librarians did a marvelous job with the bowl and saucer from “The Stubborn Turnip,” a story from Russia in my Handmade Tales book.

3-3-11 Ah, sweet success! Bowl and saucer string figure from the story, The Stubborn Turnip in Handmade Tales

After lunch, we moved on to Tangram Tales. I taught them how to cut a Tangram without a pattern and then challenged them to Invent-a-Tangram. Here is the winner of the contest. Congratulations, Beth!

3-3-11 Beth wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest with her Dancing Girl. Too cute!

Then the librarians created a Tangram story theater with the story, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” It was adorable. They really got into their roles!

3-3-11 Performing the story, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories from Tangram Tales

The last portion of the workshop focused on “Picture Book Make and Takes.” I showed them lots of activities that they could incorporate into their story times using my books. Look at Cajun Cornbread Boy!

3-3-11 Run, cher, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm full of cayenne!

I loved performing Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with them. We had a ball! Just look at these roaches partying and having a great time!

3-3-11 Monsieur Roach and his Rockin' Roach Buddies dance. While the chicken's away, the roaches will play!

They loved There’s a Dragon in the Library and all the accompanying activities. Dewey, the accordion dragon, is adorable!

3-3-11 Sarah makes the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was another wonderful day in the state of Missouri. My last stop is in St. Louis, sister city to New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi. Thank you to Sharon of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, who was the most gracious hostess ever! Loved the Cajun food at lunch time! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshops – Jefferson City, Wednesday, March 2, 2011

by Dianne on March 2, 2011

3-2-11 Yes, Librarians truly are stars in my book!

Friends:

Today was another fabulous day in Missouri! I was in Jefferson City, the capitol of the state. My summer reading workshop was held at the library downtown and I had such a wonderful, fun, and appreciative group of librarians!

3-2-11 Taking a picture with the hosting library staff in Jefferson City, Missouri. Thank you for your hospitality!

As usual, I began the day with a creativity exercise. It’s a great way to warm up a group and serves as a fun ice breaker. They had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses. Love seeing all the inventive faces!

3-2-11 A self-portrait made by a librarian with items from her purse. Think one of those keys is to a Porsche? ;)

I opened with a couple of easy draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from Handmade Tales. I just love this story and it’s so easy that every succeeds.

3-2-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Next, I taught the librarians “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” also from Handmade Tales. What a cool story and I love using it to teach children to count in different languages.

3-2-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Afterward, I showed them a scroll story, how to make paper Russian nesting dolls, how to tell the story of “The Ugly Duckling” using towel folding, and how to create a snowflake from a story that uses a white coffee filter. I LOVE making the snow blizzard!

3-2-11 Creating a blizzard from snowflakes made out of coffee filters in the story, Papa's Teepee from Handmade Tales

They had a lot of fun creating Bandana Man and we made sure that everyone learned how to fold him. :)

3-2-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

Then it was on to string stories and lunch. Following lunch, we worked on Tangram Tales. After learning how to create a Tangram set without a pattern, they were challenged to “Invent a Tangram.” There were a lot of creative entries, like this dinosaur…

3-2-11 A dinosaur Tangram invented by a librarian!

But the winner of the Invent-a-Tangram contest was Jeana with her bat!

3-2-11 Jeana creates a Tangram bat and wins the Invent-a-Tangram contest!

Then it was time for… Tangram Tales Story Theater! They performed “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” The story chorus, led by Carolee, sang, “Feel the story beat, uh uh! Feel the story beat, uh uh uh!” Woo hoo!

3-2-11 Performing the story Tiger's Tale, Anansi's stories as a Tangram story theater

After Tangram Tales, it was time for picture book make and takes. I performed an excerpt of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets.

3-2-11 Cajun Cornbread Boy gets extra flair with ring bling! Love it!

The day was a full day, ending with activities from my new children’s picture book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-2-11 There are dragons in the library!

I left Jefferson City feeling loved. These librarians sure do know how to make an author feel welcome! Thank you so much. And yes, Aletha, you CAN do crafts AND tell stories! Thank you for not running away! LOL

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Missouri Summer Reading Workshops – Springfield, Tuesday, March 1, 2011

by Dianne on March 1, 2011

3-1-11 Librarians are stars!

Friends:

Today is the first day I am blogging about my Missouri summer reading workshops because I lost my blogging camera yesterday! Talk about bad luck… I almost didn’t make it to Kansas City due to weather diverting my flight to Des Moines, Iowa. Then it was losing the camera… BUT today was a great day! I bought a new camera and here we go!

My first workshop was in Carrollton, Missouri and I had an awesome time with the workshop participants there. Today, I was in Springfield, Missouri with nearly 50 librarians at The Library Center.

3-1-11 Librarians do Joseph Had a Little Overcoat cut and tell story from Handmade Tales

We began the workshop with a creativity exercise in which the participants had to create a self-portrait from items in their purses, wallets or pockets. Here’s the one I liked!

3-1-11 Springfield, MO Summer Reading Workshop participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

Then it was time for some stories! We began with draw and tell tales. First, I did “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my book, Handmade Tales. What was really awesome is that through a grant, the State Library of Missouri gave every workshop participant a copy of my Handmade Tales book! Lucky Librarians! Next, we did the draw and tell story of “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” a fun story that uses the numbers 1 through 7 to create the picture in the tale.

3-1-11 Catching a Pest in 7 Steps story from Handmade Tales

Then I showed them “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” and I had so much fun showing them how to “blow” into a handkerchief.

3-1-11 Mallory Has a Little Overcoat. Hahahaha

Then I showed them towel folding, how to create folded paper Russian nesting dolls, how to create a scroll story, and how to use a fortune teller in a fun, educational way. They even learned how to create a coffee filter snowflake in the story, “Papa’s Teepee.”

3-1-11 Creating a snow blizzard with coffee filter snowflakes from the story, Papa's Teepee

Then they learned how to make “Bandana Man” from my Handmade Tales book. Boy, did we have fun with Bandana Man!

3-1-11 Bandana Men in the Air!

They learned a string story, how to create a star with string, how to create a one-snip star, and even how to create a six page book out of a single sheet of paper. After lunch, it was on to Tangram Tales. First, they learned how to create a Tangram set without a pattern. Then I held an Invent-A-Tangram Contest. I loved this one… It goes with my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

3-1-11 Roxanne invents a dragon Tangram!

But Mallory ended up the winner with her “Man Reading a Book” Tangram. Talk about awesome!!

3-1-11 Mallory wins the Invent-A-Tangram contest for Man Reading a Book

Next, all the librarians in the room worked together to create a fun Tangram Tales story theater, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.”

3-1-11 Librarians perform the Tangram story theater, Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories

Several of the librarians helped me perform a rousing rendition of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Woo hoo!!

We ended the day with “Picture Book Make and Takes,” creating all kinds of activities to accompany my picture books. We ended appropriately with There’s a Dragon in the Library, my picture book illustrated by Marita Gentry.

3-1-11 A librarian creates the accordion dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library

It was such a fun day and I had a blast with the librarians in the Springfield-Greene County district in lovely Missouri! Thank you so much!! A heartfelt thank you to Naphtali Faris, the Youth Services Consultant for Missouri State Library for coordinating such wonderful workshops. Thank you also to Charla, who helped so much.

I look forward to my workshop in Jefferson City, Missouri tomorrow!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kansas Summer Reading Workshops – Wichita, Thursday, February 24, 2011

by Dianne on February 24, 2011

2-24-11 Crafts from the CLSP One World, Many Stories Summer Reading Manual 2011

Friends:

Ah, Kansas! In February, the weather can change at the drop of a hat, and it did today. All week long, I had beautiful weather with clear skies. This morning I woke up to sleet and ice and a dangerous start to the day. My hostess, Julie Tomlianovich, picked me up at my hotel and we had to drive about 45 minutes to Wichita. Because many people were coming to Wichita for the workshop from great distances, we decided to end the workshop early to allow for a safer commute in the bad weather. So I began trimming my workshop!

We started with the creativity exercise of making a self-portrait from items in your purse, wallet or pockets. There were a lot of good faces but I like this one because of the chocolate mouth, the blingy earrings, and the comb for the hair! My kind of gal!

2-24-11 A workshop participant's self-portrait with items from her purse

The workshop began with draw and tell tales. I showed them “The Emperor’s Dragon” and “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” I even taught them a little Chinese!

2-24-11 The Emperor's Dragon, a draw and tell tale from Handmade Tales

Then they learned “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” cut and tell story. We were all laughing at how funny the cutting can be. Here, everyone has an overcoat and they pretty much look the same. By the end of the story, it was a different story! LOL

2-24-11 Librarians do the cut and tell story of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

I taught them “Bandana Man” and boy, were they cute! Look at the old women in the story, especially the middle one. :)

2-24-11 Look at these cute librarians! Awwww.

Some librarians automatically have style, like these ladies. Just look at their Bandana Men!

2-24-11 These librarians took a walk on the wild side, rockin their animal print Bandana Men!

I didn’t have time to teach them the full string story of “The Stubborn Turnip” or even “Papa’s Teepee,” where they make snowflakes out of coffee filters but I did manager to teach them all how to make a string figure star!

2-24-11 These librarians are stars, for sure!

We worked very fast, doing Handmade Tales in two hours. Then it was on to Tangram Tales. After I showed them how to cut Tangrams without a pattern, I challenged them to a contest to “invent a Tangram.” This librarian won for her turtle Tangram. Wow! It really looks like a turtle.

2-24-11 This librarian won the Invent-A-Tangram contest! It's a turtle!! Too cute.

They performed a Tangram story theater – “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories.” The storytellers, Tangram artists, and the story chorus worked well together to create their Tangram story theater masterpiece!

2-24-11 Librarians perform a Tangram story theater - Tiger's Tale, Anansi's story

I breezed through my picture book make and takes but told the entire story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was sooo funny! Look at these roaches!

2-24-11 Workshop participants are such good sports to play dead roaches in the story, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach!

I did have them do one picture book make and take – the accordion dragon from There’s a Dragon in the Library. While they didn’t have time to color the head and the tail, the dragon still looked adorable!

2-24-11 Large accordion dragons from There's a Dragon in the Library

I shaved 1.5 hours from my workshop!! Wow. All in all, I think the workshop came out great, considering how much time I had to shave. Everyone seemed to have and the immediate feedback from the workshop participants was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks for the love, Kansas. I can’t wait to return a the end of March to finish the rest of the state! A special thank you and shout out to Julia Tomlianovich for bringing me in and for being such a fabulous hostess. My Kansas visit was incredible!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kansas Summer Reading Workshop Tour – Manhattan, Wednesday, February 23, 2011

by Dianne on February 23, 2011

2-23-11 Manhattan, Kansas workshop participants wish my husband, Antonio, a Happy Birthday!

Friends:

Today I was in Manhattan, Kansas. They call themselves “The Little Apple” and even have a ball drop on New Year’s Eve, just like The Big Apple! It was the third day of my summer reading workshop tour. Today was also my husband, Antonio’s birthday. With the help of the wonderful librarians, we wished him a Happy Birthday! Thank you so much, ladies!

After the birthday wish, I began my workshop with a creativity exercise in which the workshop participants created a self-portrait with items from their purse. It’s so interesting to see what they use to create their faces!

2-23-11 A workshop participant creates a self-portrait from items in her purse

We began with a couple of draw and tell tales – “The Emperor’s Dragon” and “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps” from my Handmade Tales book. Then they did a cut and tell tale – “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat.” They really enjoyed it.

2-23-11 Librarians learn how to do a cut and tell of Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Then it was on to demonstrating a towel folding story of “The Ugly Duckling,” a fortune teller story round, and “Papa’s Teepee,” a story that turns a teepee into a snowflake out of a coffee filter. We create a “blizzard” of snowflakes – too cool!

2-23-11 Coffee filter snowflakes fly and create a snow blizzard

When I taught them how to create Russian nesting dolls out of paper, they loved it. Rachel, an innovative librarian, came up with the concept of nesting dino robots!! ROAR! Boys will love this one!

2-23-11 Rachel created Roar-tastic dinosaur robot nesting dolls!! Way to go, Rachel!

They loved the story of “Bandana Man,” a fun rendition of the Gingerbread Man. The librarians made such cute little old ladies!

2-23-11 Librarians are fabulous old women in the story, Bandana Man!

“Bandana Man” is always such a run-away hit! Hahahaha!

2-23-11 Run, run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm Bandana Man!

I love when they experience success in my workshops. Working with string figures can be very tricky. The story of “The Stubborn Turnip” takes practice to master. So I like to leave them with simpler string figure that is easier to make. Lo and behold, now they are all stars!

2-23-11 Starry-eyed sweet string success!

Then I taught them how to make paper stars with a single snip of the scissors. The excess paper is turned into a picture frame. Very cool…

2-23-11 You never know what kinds of stars you meet at the library!

After learning how to make the origami 6-page book from the story “The King’s Advisor” in Handmade Tales, we went to lunch. Can we say, “Pizza?!!!” After lunch, we dove right into Tangram Tales. I showed them how to cut a Tangram without a pattern and then they practiced making Tangram figures.

2-23-11 Call the rodeo! This librarian created a horse and rider Tangram!

I held an Invent-A-Tangram contest. This is the lucky (HILARIOUS) winner!

2-23-11 The winner of the Invent-a-Tangram contest - Squatting Samarai

After they were familiar with Tangrams, we created a Tangram story theater from the story, “Tiger’s Tale, Anansi’s Stories” in my Tangram Tales book. My storytellers were sooo animated, the Tangram tellers made perfect Tangrams, and the story chorus rocked it out! Can we say, “Awesome!!!?”

2-23-11 Librarians perform Tiger's Tale, Anansi's Stories Tangram Story Theater

After Tangrams, it was time for picture book make and takes. I performed an excerpt from The Cajun Cornbread Boy and they made Cajun Cornbread Boy puppets. C’est bon!

2-23-11 Oh my! Cajun Cornbread Boy is much too spicy for our story time!

I showed them book activities for Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, and Mama’s Bayou.

2-23-11 Telling the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Fun!

They really LOVED the dragon accordion puppet from my book There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry. It was so much fun working with this group of librarians. We all had a blast together!

2-23-11 Taking pictures with some of my favorite people... librarians!!

I loved my whole day!! As I was being driven to my next location (Thanks, Ann!!), I saw this on my way out… Goodbye KS!!

2-23-11 Leaving Manhattan, Kansas, home of Kansas State University

It was a great day! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Stories on Board Residency at Strehle Elementary, Avondale, LA, Day 10 – Monday, January 22, 2011

by Dianne on January 25, 2011

1-24-11 5th graders play The Hunter's Trap by fellow students

Friends:

Today was the 10th and final day of my “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales” at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. It was “Gradewide Game Day” where all the students came to the cafeteria to play the games their fellow students created. The first group to come into the cafeteria first thing in the morning was 5th grade.

1-24-11 5th graders play The Troll Troubles by fellow students

The students really enjoyed playing the games and it was fun to see their reaction to the games their fellow students created. All the games were fabulous but the students had their favorites. The game that received the most acclaim was “The Three Billy Gs.”

1-24-11 The Three Billy Gs game was voted Favorite Game Overall in 5th grade

The next group to come in was 3rd grade. We had a special visitor from Jefferson Parish Public School Board: Mr. Dermady, from the Social Studies Department. He came to observe the lesson and see the students’ work. He was so enthralled by the process that he even joined the students for some fun and games!

1-24-11 Mr. Dermady from the Social Studies Department of Jefferson Parish School Board plays Makin Bacon with 3rd grade students

Again, the students were fully engaged in the Game Day, playing games created by their fellow students. I loved observing their reaction to the artwork, the game design, and the perils and triumphs of the board. The great part about this process is the success ratio. Everyone participates, everyone succeeds, and everyone has fun.

1-24-11 Six 3rd graders play Killer Foxy Loxy by fellow students

Another great element about the “Stories on Board” process is the collaborative process. The students have to work together to create their board games. One student simply cannot complete the planning, designing and coloring of the games by him/herself within the alotted time frame. It is a team effort and a team success.

1-24-11 3rd graders play The Kooky Cookie by fellow students

The last group to come to the cafeteria was 4th grade. They are a boisterous group and we had to work to settle them down. Once we passed out the board games and they started playing, they had a good time.

1-24-11 4th graders play self-created board games on Strehle Game Day

They made some really clever and inventive games. One of my personal favorites was Hen-Opoly. Reptile Road was a cleverly conceived game based on the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare.”

1-24-11 4th graders play Reptile Road, based on The Tortoise and the Hare, created by fellow students

On my last day of the residency, I always like to do something special for the teachers to show them my appreciation. I asked my mom to make pancit, a Filipino noodle dish with chicken and vegetables, similar to Chinese lo mein. I also brought two containers of macaroons for dessert. Needless to say, the teachers enjoyed the food!

1-24-11 Pancit (Filipino noodle dish) made by Dianne's mom almost gone!

I also stuffed the teacher’s in-boxes with posters from my book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato.

1-24-10 Teachers' in-boxes stuffed with The Gigantic Sweet Potato posters from Dianne de Las Casas

Last but not least, I had a bag full of goodies to raffle off to the teachers. Tina Champagne, Special Ed Teacher, was the lucky winner! Woo hoo, Tina!

1-24-11 Tina Champagne, Special Ed Teacher, wins Dianne's bag of goodies! Woo hoo!

It was a fabulous day and I loved every minute of my time at Strehle! Special thanks to Patti Waddell, Principal; Pat Runge, Special Ed Teacher and Grant Writer; and Betty Brodtmann, Librarian! Another special thank you to the Arts Council of New Orleans for providing the grant funds that made my visit possible.

1-24-11 Dianne de Las Casas with 3rd grade students on Strehle Game Day

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Stories on Board Residency at Strehle Elementary, Avondale, LA, Day 9 – Friday, January 21, 2011

by Dianne on January 21, 2011

1-21-11 5th grade students play their game, The Troll Troubles, based on the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Friends:

Today was Day 9 of my 10-day “Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales” residency at Strehle Elementary School in Avondale, LA. The first class I visited was Ms. Hervey’s first grade class. Because the class was on a field trip yesterday, we have to rearrange my schedule to fit them in today. I told the story of “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza” and then they played the game based on the story. When I left their class, they were as quiet as can be. Great job, Ms. Hervey’s class!

1-21-11 Students in Ms. Hervey's first grade class play The Little Red Hen's Pizza Party

After Ms. Hervey’s class, I visited Ms. Giroir’s Pre-K class. The children were so excited to see me and I was bombarded with hugs from the moment I walked into the classroom. I told the story of “The Gingerbread Man” and they played the game, “The Gingerbread Jam.”

1-21-11 Students in Ms. Giroir's PK class play Gingerbread Jam

Next, I headed to fifth grade. Most of the students in this class were finished designing and coloring their boards. This particular class was assigned the story, “Little Red Riding Hood,” and they did such an amazing job with their board games! Look at this!

1-21-11 Little Red's Escape, a game created by 5th grade students, based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood

This next game is absolutely amazing. It’s called “Little Red’s Caper,” and I love the play on words and how they used Little Red’s cape as the game board. I also LOVE her adorable face! Great job on the face, Antonio!

1-21-11 Students in 5th grade play their game, Little Red's Caper, based on the story, Little Red Riding Hood

My next class was also a fifth grade class. This class was less organized than the previous class and were not as far along on their board games. They worked for most of the class plotting their spaces, outlining, and coloring their boards. They were assigned the story, “The Lion and the Mouse.” Still, many of the boards came out great although they ran out of time to play.

1-21-11 The Lion Escapes, a game created by 5th grade students, based on the story of The Lion and the Mouse

I also loved the concept of the zig zag board used in this game called “The Hunter’s Trap. It was well-executed and look like a lot of fun to play.

1-21-11 The Hunter's Trap, a game created by 5th grade students, based on the story of The Lion and the Mouse

Next, it was time to visit special ed Pre-K. We had a great time with my new book, There’s a Dragon in the Library. We made dragon roaring sounds and sang a song. It was fun and they were very responsive. I just love working with Ms. Pat, Ms. Tina, and Ms. Katie!

1-21-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Special Ed PK

My last class of the day was my final fifth grade class. The class was assigned the story, The Three Billy Goats Gruff. This class worked so well together that I had the opportunity to play a game: The Troll Troubles. We had a fantastic time and I loved seeing their games come to life!

1-21-11 5th grade students with their game, The Billy Goats Trippity Trap, based on the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff

There was so much creativity and the students were so inventive, using both the left and right sides of their brains. I truly enjoy seeing them delight in their accomplishments. I also love seeing their reaction to other students playing and enjoying their games. It’s a terrific process and I can’t wait until Monday, when we have Gradewide Game Day for all the grades. Classes in each grade will exchange games and play each others’ games.

1-21-11 5th grade students with their game, The 3 Billy G's, based on the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Monday is going to be a total blast and I can’t wait!! Fantastic job, Strehle students!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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