3-5-10 Dianne teaches the hand motions to Mama's Bayou

Friends:

On Friday, Holly Stone-Barker (illustrator of Mama’s Bayou) and I had a BIG BASH book event to launch our new children’s picture book, Mama’s Bayou. The children’s section of Barnes & Noble was PACKED! Even Marita Gentry, the illustrator of my other children’s books (The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach) attended.

3-5-10 Barnes & Noble children's section is packed with fans!

I sang the story with audience participation while Holly guided the children and helped them place their magnets on the giant magnet board. Then Holly demonstrated her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly.

3-5-10 Holly demonstrates cut paper and collage, creating a dragonfly

Afterwards, we gave away TONS of prizes – the dragonfly art Holly created, book bags, stuffed gators, a cookie sheet magnet board, and a plush mama and baby frog that was the grand prize. Finally, it was time to sign books. Holly and I were busy the whole time, meeting, greeting and signing.

3-5-10 There is a long line waiting for autographs

We signed so many books that we sold out. There was not a single copy of Mama’s Bayou left on the shelves!

3-5-10 Dianne & Holly sign books and sell out!

It was a fabulous event. Barnes & Noble invited us to do another book signing in the summer! Thank you to our wonderful family, friends, and fans who came to see us and support us! A special thank you to Abby Hannie, Community Relations Manager of Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge and all the helpful staff at the store. You rock the bayou!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Mama's Bayou by Dianne de Las Casas, Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker

Friends:

On Thursday, I appeared on ABC-26 Good Morning New Orleans with Holly Stone-Barker, illustrator of Mama’s Bayou. It was a very short three-minute segment but we talked the book, performed an excerpt, and talked about Holly’s art. It was short but we had a great time!

What was really interesting was waiting in the TV station break room with other guests. Holly and I met Trixie Minx, a burlesque dancer and owner of Fleur de Tease, a burlesque review.

3-4-10 Trixie Minx, Owner of Fleur de Tease Burlesque

Holly and I even got to try the feathers! All of this before 6 o’clock in the morning! LOL

3-4-10 Dianne & Holly with feathers at the ABC-26 TV studio

What a fun morning!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-24-10 Eliana is a gator for Mama's Bayou BIG BASH book launch

Friends:

I have been very busy preparing for the launch of my newest children’s picture book, Mama’s Bayou, illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. Holly and I are holding our launch party this Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Octavia Books in Uptown New Orleans at 1:30pm. It’s truly going to be a BIG BASH!

The BIG BASH book party will include lively storytelling with audience participation (by moi) and an art demonstration by Holly Stone-Barker. You are not going to want to miss what we have in store!

We will be serving gourmet cake (in the shape of the frogs in the book) and swamp juice. The children will be given reading posters, bookmarks, and bear hugs postcards that they can stamp and mail to a loved one in addition to some other treats in a goody bag. We will be giving away door prizes including a GIANT Mama Frog and her big baby frog. Look at all these frogs!

2-24-10 Frogs sit in the office waiting for the BIG BASH book launch

In addition, we are holding other BIG BASH book signings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Barnes & Noble Citiplace on March 5, 2010 at 7pm and in Thibodaux, Louisiana at Cherry Books on March 6, 2010 at 11am.

And of course, we will be personalizing books. Mama’s Bayou is a gorgeous book. Holly and I have worked very hard not only to create a book that grown-ups and children will read and love together, but we have downloadable activities available on our websites to enhance the reading fun. http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=mamasBayou

We hope to see you at our special events! It’s a BIG BASH on Mama’s Bayou and you don’t want to miss this party!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-4-10 Mardi Gras shoe box floats in the cafeteria for judging

Friends:

Today was the sixth day of my Story Fest residency at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana. My first class was Ms. Hoadley’s PK class. It was my first visit and the students were tickled to hear Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. I love how they laugh when I do Madame Poulet’s voice. Then, by special request from one of the teachers’ assistants, I told my story, “Rockin Three Billy Goats.” We had a blast!

2-4-10 Ms. Hoadley's PK students participate in Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach story

My second class was Ms. Jones’ kindergarten class. It was my second visit so I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” Then we danced with scarves to jazz music. The students loved it.

Ms. Jones and Ms. Brenda got their new Strehle Saints shirts and I had to have them strike a pose. Too cute!

2-4-10 Ms. Jones and Ms. Brenda pose with their new Strehle Saints Super Bowl shirts

Next, I headed to Ms. King’s kindergarten class. They were waiting for me and so excited to see me. They listened to “Sody Sallyraytus,” danced to jazz music, and even second-lined around the room to New Orleans brass band music. We had a kickin’ time!

2-4-10 Ms. King's class second lines around the room

Then it was time for Ms. Davis’ special ed PK class. I told my story, “Rockin Three Billy Goats” and the students enjoyed it. Ms. Davis told me that a couple of years ago, one of her students really took to that story from my Jump, Jiggle & Jam CD. He learned the story and could retell the whole story. She said that story has been special to her since then. It really touched my heart to hear that story. Thank you for sharing, Ms. Davis!

2-4-10 Giant student art in Ms. Davis' special ed PK class

After my storytelling, we danced to jazz music and had so much fun!

2-4-10 Dancing with Ms. Davis' PK special ed students

During my lunch, I read a stack of letters and looked at drawings from Ms. Hervey’s first grade students. They were so precious. I wish I could show you all of them but here is one of my favorites, an illustration of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Wow! Thank you, Ms. Hervey’s class!

2-4-10 A student from Ms. Hervey's first grade class illustrates Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Don’t you just love this picture of me?!!!

2-4-10 It's Ms. Dianne!

After lunch, I went to Ms. A. Hoadley’s second grade class. They were so jazzed to see me. Ms. Hoadley and the students cheered when I walked in the class. What a feeling! It was my first visit so I told the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Boy, did the students get into the story! They laughed so hard. At the end of the day, Ms. Hoadley delivered handmade cards. They are adorable – I will post some pics of them in tomorrow’s blog.

2-4-10 Eating a roach in Ms. Hoadley's second grade class

Ms. Hoadley and I posed for pictures in front of her SUPER BOWL SAINTS bulletin board. She is so creative. The boys decorated footballs while the girls decorated fleur de lis. What a great board!

2-4-10 Ms. Dianne and Ms. Ally Hoadley in front of her Saints Super Bowl bulletin board

Then it was on to Ms. Till’s fourth grade class. The fourth grade was split up this week with the addition of a “new” fourth grade teacher to alleviate overcrowding in the grade. They moved Ms. Vega from second grade into fourth. As a result, my fourth grade classes are all “mixed up.” Fortunately, the fourth grade teachers worked with me and let me keep the original students for each story that I assigned. Ms. Till’s “old” class was as chatty as they were last time and it was a challenge to keep the entire group on task. Still, we managed to put together a really cool story theater with a beat master, a story chorus, dancers, and a solo dancer. Combined with the storytellers, their story is really good. If they can pull it together and perform as a cohesive group, it will be a phenomenal performance.

2-4-10 Ms. Till's fourth grade class rehearses The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

My last class was Ms. Glass’ third grade class. It was my first visit with them. After eating some king cake with the students, I assigned roles for storytellers and the story chorus in the story, “Beaver and Turtle’s Race.” Then we did my Story Fest warm-up activities with them acting out roles. They loved it. We had some time at the end and the students created the rap for their story chorus. It is so cute.

2-4-10 Ms. Glass' third grade acts out the role of a school bus filled with mischievous kids

I had a great day at Strehle. Look at what Ms. Hoadley’s PK class said! Awwwww. I love y’all too! I look forward to tomorrow at Strehle.

2-4-10 Ms. Hoadley's PK students express how they feel about Ms. Dianne and her story

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-3-10 Dancing to world music with Ms. Robinson's PK

Friends:

Today was my fifth day at Strehle Elementary in Avondale, Louisiana doing my Story Fest residency. My first class was Ms. Short’s first graders. Oh, they were such a sweet and fun group. This was my second visit and they were so excited to see me and hugged me as soon as I walked in the door. I told them the story of “Sody Sallyraytus” and they loved it. Afterwards, we danced to jazz and Mardi Gras music. We even did a second line. Ms. Short even gave me a gift when I left the class – a candied pretzel. Yum!

2-3-10 Telling Sody Sallyratus to Ms. Short's happy first graders

It was then on to Ms. Robinson’s pre-K class. The students were all waiting for me in a quiet circle. It was my first visit and I told them the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They cracked up every time I said, “Monsieur Roooooooach.” They also loved singing and dancing with me.

2-3-10 Telling Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach to Ms. Robinson's pre-K class

My next stop was Ms. Badeaux’s second grade class. It was my second visit and again, the students were so excited to see me. They gave me a big group hug. Then I noticed all the marvelous Mardi Gras floats created from shoe boxes. So cool!

2-3-10 Mardi Gras Shoebox floats from Ms. Badeaux's second grade class

I told the story of Sody Sallyraytus and taught them about alliteration. Then we did some “word whizzling,” making new words out of a long word. We used the words “Sody Sallyraytus.” Together, we found 26 words!

2-3-10 Ms. Badeaux's second graders concentrate on creating new words out of Sody Sallyraytus

I moved on to Ms. Walter’s 5th grade homeroom in Ms. Walker’s class. It was our third and last classroom visit and we rehearsed their story, “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” This class is so good. They really have their act together.

2-3-10 The storytellers of The Ant and the Grasshopper in Ms. Walter's 5th grade class

All the storytellers rehearsed without a script and the story chorus totally rocked. I loved watching them in action. I am so excited about seeing them perform!! They are going to be phenomenal!!

2-3-10 The story chorus of The Ant and the Grasshopper in Ms. Walter's 5th grade class

After lunch, I visited Ms. Hervey’s first grade grade class. Again, there were cool shoe box Mardi Gras floats. I love this Saints Who Dat Nation float, in honor of the Saints making it the Super Bowl.

2-3-10 The Who Dat Nation Shoe Box Mardi Gras float from Ms. Hervey's first grade class

It was my second visit so I told the story of “Sody Sallyraytus.” They really enjoyed the story and after the story was finished, they kept asking me to re-enact the characters. Then we danced to Mardi Gras music with scarves and second-lined around the room. It was fun.

2-3-10 Ms. Hervey's first graders open their big bear mouths and take a big bear bite in the story, Sody Sallyraytus

Next, I visited Ms. Creecy’s 4th grade class. The students did a good job with their story, “The Tortoise and the Hare.” We did a few run-throughs and once the storytellers learn their parts, the story will be perfect. I love the story chorus with the pencil beat done by Angel. We even had other teachers stopping in to see what all the fun was about! Ms. Creacy’s class’ story chorus is so catchy! I can’t wait for performance day.

2-3-10 Ms. Creacy's 4th grade story chorus jams out in The Tortoise and the Hare

My last class was Ms. Johnson’s third grade class. The students did a nice job rehearsing their story, “The Frog and the Ox.” I love the multi-faceted parts of the story chorus. There are dancers and two “back-up” lines. They are using scarves and the result is stunning. The storytellers are learning their parts and tried hard to practice without a script today. Since this was our last rehearsal, the storytellers need to work on their lines so they can present a cohesive performance with their story chorus. Still, I love what the students have done with this story. They were fantastic!

2-3-10 Ms. Johnson's 3rd grade story chorus in formation for The Frog and the Ox

Being with the students today was uplifting and wonderfully restorative, after all that I have been through the past couple of days with my dad (who is recovering now). I love my work!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-20-10 A teacher works with students to depict a Mardi Gras scene with masked revelers

Friends:

Today, I visited Quitman Upper Elementary. It was such a fun day! I did three Story Fest story theater workshops and a professional development workshop for the teachers at the end of the day.

1-20-10 4th & 5th grade portraying a mechanic fixing his car

My first and second assemblies consisted of 4th and 5th graders. I spoke to them about my method of story theater and explained that we would be doing role playing exercises to warm up. They did such an incredible job with their individual, partner and group exercises.

1-20-10 Monkeys climb a tree while hungry lions wait at the bottom

When I asked the students questions about what they learned from the Story Fest activity, a 4th grade girl named Jaden, responded, “You are never too old or too young to use your imagination.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Jaden!

1-20-10 4th & 5th grade students portraying a king on a Mardi Gras float with parade revelers

With the third grade, I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach in an assembly program. It was one of the most lively, interactive performances I have ever had of this story. When the roaches danced, the students not only sang, but added additional beats, creating an awesome hip hop rhythm for the story. It was incredible!

1-20-10 Dianne sneaks up on an unsuspecting teacher during Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach

After the story, I moved the 3rd grade group out to the gym floor and performed story theater exercises with them. It was well received. They had a blast!

1-20-10 A 3rd grade teacher works with a student portraying a mechanic fixing his car

My day ended with a professional development workshop with the teachers. Though most of them had seen Story Fest in action with their students, I gave them different roles to act out.

Then they rehearsed and performed a story theater piece: “The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. It was so cute and full of animated storytellers, a rhythmic chorus, scarves, and rhythm instruments.

1-20-10 Teachers perform story theater - The City Mouse and the Country Mouse

Quitman Upper Elementary loves integrating the arts. Just look at this gorgeous mural in the front office!

1-20-10 Quitman Upper Elementary front office mural - Wow!

I really enjoyed visiting the school. They had wonderful teachers, students and staff. Thank you to Tara Tucker, Amy Johnson, and Mr. Kelly for making my day superb! I loved my Mississippi school visits!

1-20-10 A MAC art project - The Mississippi State Seal made with natural materials

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-19-10 Performing for Quitman Lower Elementary 1st & 2nd grades

Friends:

Today I had the privilege of doing a school visit and a professional development workshop for Quitman Lower Elementary in Quitman, MS.

Angie Ledbetter, the Assistant Principal, was my contact person. My GPS misguided me to the wrong side of town and I called Angie on her cell phone in a panic. She was sweet and guided me in and greeted me upon my arrival. She told me that Carol Satterfield, a teacher and big “Fan of Dianne,” drove all the way from North Mississippi to see me and was spending the day at the school. How cool is that?!

Right before my first show, the Principal, Mr. Bounds, greeted me, welcomed me to the school, and introduced me to the students. I performed 2 shows. The first show was for pre-K and K. The second was for 1st and 2nd grades. It was so much fun and the students had a blast!

After my second show, Angie and another teacher, Tootsie, took me to lunch. We ate at a local restaurant, Skidmore’s Old Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill. They served delicious hot plates. I had fried chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese, green beans and peach cobbler. Talk about a Southern cooked meal!

1-19-10 Skidmore's Ole Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill in Quitman, MS

Lunch was so much fun. We laughed and laughed. Everyone that walked in the door could have been a book character! When we were finished eating, Tootsie said, “Now we have to clean our table and scrape off our plates.” It was like a flashback to junior high. So I took my dishes to the slop bucket and scraped off my plate. There was a big sign above the table where the bin for the dirty dishes was. It said, “Please do not throw your metal forks into the trash.”

Then Tootsie told me to read the fine print. Underneath that it said, “Throw away your spit cup please.” I’m not making this up! Better be careful… The white styrofoam cup you think is your drink might actually be someone’s spit cup! Eeeew. Of course, I HAD to take a picture!

1-19-10 Throw away your spit cup sign in Ole Tyme Butcher Shop restaurant in Quitman, MS

After lunch, we went back to school and I took a tour down the halls. The schools is one that really works to integrate the arts and the walls show it! There was art everywhere!

1-19-10 Students study Pointillism at Quitman Lower Elementary

A “Learning is Fun” attitude permeates the school’s atmosphere, from the administration to the staff to students. Quitman Lower Elementary’s teachers are enthusiastic and committed to their classrooms.

1-19-10 Learning is Fun mural in Quitman Lower Elementary

In the afternoon, the teachers came into the multipurpose room for my Story Fest workshop. It was so much fun sharing my signature story theater techniques with them. They were such great participants!

1-19-10 Teachers in Story Fest Workshop portraying a monkey swinging in the trees

They really embraced the story theater warm-up exercises, including Mr. Bounds, the school’s principal!

1-19-10 Mr. Bounds, Quitman Lower Elementary Principal, plays an old woman

I enjoyed their energy and willingness to step out of their comfort zones.

1-19-10 A lion and lioness coming out of a cave

When we were finished with the warm-up exercises, I divided the group in half and they created their own story theater. One group performed “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking.”

The other group performed my brand new story theater script, adapted from my new book, Mama’s Bayou.

1-19-10 Teachers performing Mama's Bayou Story Theater

Afterwards, I signed tons of books and gave all the teachers reading posters. Every student received bookmarks. I really enjoyed my day at Quitman Lower Elementary. Thank you so much, Angie Ledbetter, for inviting me to Quitman. I love you and your school!

Tomorrow, I spend the day at Quitman Upper Elementary. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Stories on Board!

Friends:

My new professional book, Stories on Board! Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales, published by Libraries Unlimited, an ABC-Clio imprint, will be released in June 2010. It is now in production and the book cover has been designed. Here is a description of the book:

“Students learn to create fun board games with adapted tales from around the world. Working in groups, students will select their favorite folktales, map out the story, and turn the tales into colorful board games they will play, integrating language arts, math, and social studies.”

It’s a lot of fun and I hope you check out the book when it releases!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-19-09 Telling The House that Santa Built

Friends:

I performed a holiday program for the St. Bernard Parish Library on Saturday. Because the library in Chalmette is still located in a trailer (from Katrina), the program was held in the new St. Bernard Council for Aging building. I began my program with a new story, “The House that Santa Built” and it was so cute. Then we sang “Up on the House Top” with members of the audience performing with me.

12-19-09 Performing Up on the Housetop

Then I told a new personal story called “Eliana’s Christmas Surprise,” a story about my youngest daughter and how Santa left behind evidence of his visit to our house. It is a hilarious story and the adults as well as the children were cracking up. Then I told my story, “Santa’s Stuck” with the help of reindeer from the audience.

12-19-09 The reindeer and little mouse pull Santa out of the chimney

Finally I ended with everyone singing, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It was a fun program and I had a blast. Afterward, Eliana and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Community Grill with Janet Perez from the library and her beautiful 21 year old daughter, Sam. Thank you, Janet! I had a blast at the library and can’t
wait to return!

12-19-09 Janet Perez of the St. Bernard Parish Library with her daughter, Sam

12-19-09 Performing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s time to go…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class rehearses their story, The Frog and the Ox

Friends:

Today was Day 7 of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, LA. My day began in 4th grade, in Ms. Morrow’s class. They had a surprise for me. They are performing the handmade tale, “The Frog and the Ox.” They created a jazzed up rap and dance for the chorus. They were gettin’ down! Word! It was so awesome!

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class chorus gets down!

They created books from my story, “The King’s Advisor.” Some of the student got very creative. I love this book… inspired by the book, Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl. Thank you!

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class writes a book in my honor!

Then I headed to Ms. Tonguis’ 1st grade class. We had so much fun with my string story, “The Stubborn Turnip.” They also loved the draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Tonguis' 1st grade class draws a dragon

After first grade, I hopped over to Ms. Anchissi’s Kindergarten class. They enjoyed the story of “The Stubborn Turnip.”

12-15-09 Telling The Stubborn Turnip string story in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class

After, we did “The King’s Advisor” and made the 6 page book from the story. Then, they became authors and illustrators.

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class creates a Christmas book

Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class was next. They were excited to see me. I told them the story of “The Stubborn Turnip” and they were very participatory. Then we made 6 page books out of a single sheet of paper from my story, “The King’s Advisor.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Chieffo's 2nd grade class creates a book about outer space

Ms. Frechette’s 3rd grade class was next. After creating the book out of a single sheet of paper, they rehearsed their story for the Handmade Tales gradewide performances on Thursday. Their story is “The Ugly Duckling.” The main cast did a great job telling and demonstrating the story. The chorus was also fun to watch as they rapped and danced their parts. Way to go, Ms. Frechette’s 3rd graders. You totally rocked today!

12-15-09 Students in Ms. Frechette's 3rd grade class rehearse their story, The Ugly Duckling

My last class was Mr. Joyce’s 5th grade class. They were a great group and I had fun teaching them how to make Russian nesting dolls out of paper. They created all kinds of cool characters.

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates characters from paper nesting dolls

Check out these robots!

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates a trio of robots from paper nesting dolls

Then they breezed through their rehearsal of “The Emperor’s Dragon” draw and tell story. It’s going to be so wonderful to see them perform! I just love this year’s group of 5th graders! They are so excited to learn, do and perform.

12-15-09 Students in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class perform the story, The Emperor's Dragon

Another fun day at Bissonet!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne