Book Launch Party

The House That Witchy Built Book Debut Party at Octavia Books – Saturday, October 1, 2011

by Dianne on October 5, 2011

10-1-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Judith Lafitte of Octavia Books, and Holly Stone-Barker

Friends:

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, Holly Stone-Barker and I had our big book debut party for The House That Witchy Built at Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana. We had a wonderful party table with tasty treats.

10-1-11 The House That Witchy Built Book Debut Party Table at Octavia Books

Check out our table’s centerpiece, which looks like a picture in the book. It was made by the ever-talented Holly.

10-1-11 A close-up of The House That Witchy Built party centerpiece

Holly made cute spider cupcakes while Kid Chef Eliana and I made adorable ghost cupcakes.

10-1-11 Spider cupcakes made by Holly Stone-Barker and ghost cupcakes made by Dianne de Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana

I told the story of The House That Witchy Built, our new book with Pelican Publishing, and embellished the storytelling with audience participation. The kids wore aprons with the book’s characters on them, lovingly handmade by Holly (isn’t she incredible?!).

10-1-11 Look at all the cute kids wearing those adorable character aprons that Holly made!

All the kids were given witch and wizard hats to wear. They were precious! Some of the kids even came in their own costumes!

10-1-11 Little witches and wizards participate in the storytelling of The House That Witchy Built

Look at this sweet little witch!

10-1-11 Ella Stone-Barker wears her Witchy hat!

We had an amazing crowd (my biggest book launch yet at Octavia) and sign lots of books! Just fabulous! Tom Lowenberg and Judith Lafitte were amazing hosts and I thank them profusely for allowing us to debut our book at Octavia! A very special thank you to all the little fans who came… :)

10-1-11 Dianne de Las Casas with the most precious pumpkin ever!

Until next time… Boo to You!

Warmly, Dianne

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There’s a Dragon in the Library Book Launch Party at Octavia Books – Saturday, February 12, 2011

by Dianne on February 14, 2011

2-12-11 The AMAZING There's a Dragon in the Library cake at our Octavia Books Launch Party

Friends:

This past Saturday was our book launch party for There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry. We had our fabulous launch at our favorite indie bookstore in New Orleans – Octavia Books. It was our largest book launch at Octavia to date! There were so many people in attendance that some people couldn’t see the performance!

2-12-11 The awesome audience at Octavia Books

I had an amazing dragon cake made (Thanks, Lana and Dana) and it was DELICIOUS!

2-12-11 The Dragon cake table

Here is a close-up of that up-ROAR-ious cake, which was chocolate cake with raspberry filling. YUM!

2-12-11 A close-up of the Dragon cake!

As is our signature method, Marita and I entertained the audience with interactive storytelling and live illustration.

2-12-11 Audience participation is so much fun and Marita's dragon comes to life on paper!

I made puppets out of oven mitts, which came out sooooo cute. The templates for the puppets are on my website in the book activities. Marita did such a marvelous job on the puppets.

2-12-11 The oh so cute boys in my story, There's a Dragon in the Library. Marita is illustrating and Eliana is page-turning.

This time, instead of drawing several illustrations, Marita decided to do something different. Because the dragon is a very complicated character to draw, she decided to draw and color one enormous dragon. It came out sooo cute!

2-12-11 The whole cast comes up for a final bow

Here is a close-up of Marita’s illustration. It’s a little blurry because there were so many people that my photographer (hubby Antonio) couldn’t get close enough to even zoom in on the picture. But you can see how cute it is! Marita is incredibly talented! I’m so lucky to team with such a great illustrator!

2-12-11 A close-up of the Marita's finished illustration of Dewey the Dragon in There's a Dragon in the Library

Afterward, the children participated in a scavenger hunt, looking for a dragon tale hidden amongst the books. The winner received a reading pillow and blanket. We gave away lots of prizes including book bags, a Dragon accordion puppet, and a signed dummy of our book. Then the kids made the cutest Dewey the Dragon paper bag puppets.

2-12-11 The cutest dragon puppet with the cutest little boy!

Marita and I signed books as Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenburg, the bookstore owners, served cake and dragon juice.

2-12-11 Dianne de Las Casas signing books with a tiara on! Viva la Diva! LOL

Caitlin Smith with Pelican Publishing Company stopped by to say hi and check in on our party.

2-12-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Caitlin Smith from Pelican Publishing, and Marita Gentry

Marita and I have such sweet fans and friends. Jon and Jordyn have been to every single one of my book launch parties!! They deserve a crown just for that!!

2-12-11 Dianne with favorite fans, Jordyn and Jon

The party was such a smashing success. We owe so much to King Tom and Queen Judith of Octavia Books, our benevolent rulers! :) Thank you, your majesties! Thank you to everyone: fans, friends, and family who came to support us as we unveiled our fun new book, There’s A Dragon in the Library. We even had someone drive in from as far away as Lafayette! WOW!

2-12-11 The Cutie Crew with their paper bag dragon puppets

It was a fantastic day and we look forward to many more book launch parties at Octavia Books.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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The Gigantic Sweet Potato Launches at Octavia Books in New Orleans – Saturday, October 2, 2010

by Dianne on October 7, 2010

10-2-10 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas in their cute aprons

Friends:

It has been a busy couple of weeks! This past Saturday was the GIGANTIC book launch of my new book with Marita Gentry, The Gigantic Sweet Potato. We held our big party at our favorite independent bookstore in New Orleans, Octavia Books, owned by Tom Lowenberg and Judith Lafitte. The night before, we were busy baking and baking. Kid Chef Eliana and her friend, Breanne, helped make sweet potato chocolate muffins.

10-2-10 Eliana and Breanne make sweet potato chocolate muffins

Marita and I set a beautiful table full of delicious goodies: sweet potato pies, mini sweet potato pies, sweet potato chocolate muffins, and sweet potato chips.

10-2-10 The Gigantic Sweet Potato goodies table

We had such a wonderful turnout! It was a packed house. I performed the story with the kids from the audience acting out the parts of Pa Farmer, Bessie Cow, Ralphie Dog, Kitty Cat and Lily Mouse while Marita illustrated the story. It was full of fun and tons of comedy!

10-2-10 Kids from the audience help pull on the Gigantic Sweet Potato

When the story was finished, we put all of Marita’s drawings together and they formed a line of Ma Farmer, Pa Farmer and all the animals pulling on The Gigantic Sweet Potato. It was sooo cool! Marita, you ROCK!

10-2-10 When all of Marita's drawings are put together, it looks like Ma Farmer and everyone pulling the Gigantic Sweet Potato!

Afterward, it was time for party food! We served apple cider and milk with the sweet potato pies and muffins. While we were serving food, we had the kids create “Sweet Potato Pals” from our correlating book activities. http://www.storyconnection.net/activities/gsp/GSP-Potato-Pal.pdf The winner was Jon!

10-2-10 Winning Sweet Potato Pal by Jon

Then we gave away tons of prizes: gift baskets, a sweet potato pie, oven mitts, and other goodies. After that, it was time to sign books!

10-2-10 Dianne with #1 fans, Jordyn and Jon

It’s so great that Marita and I have the most wonderful little friends who come out to see us!

10-2-10 A fan hugs Marita oh so tight!

We had GIGANTIC fun at Octavia Books! Thank you to Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenberg for welcoming us with open arms. And thank you to everyone who came out and supported us!

10-2-10 Cute girls in their Ma Farmer aprons

Reading is a TON of fun! Sweet reads!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Mama’s Bayou Book Launch at Cherry Books, Thibodaux, LA – Saturday, March 6, 2010

by Dianne on March 13, 2010

3-5-10 Holly & Dianne perform at Cherry Books

3-6-10 Holly & Dianne perform at Cherry Books

Friends:

Holly Stone-Barker and I were at Cherry Books in Thibodaux, Louisiana this past Saturday for the launch of our new book, Mama’s Bayou. Unfortunately, due to a communication snafu, the bookstore had only one of my titles (Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach) and no copies of Mama’s Bayou. But the show must go on!

3-6-10 Holly demonstrates her cut paper & collage technique

3-6-10 Holly demonstrates her cut paper & collage technique

Holly and I had a lot of fans in the bookstore so we put on a terrific show, gave away tons of prizes, and signed posters and bookmarks.

3-6-10 Fans pose with Dianne and Holly

3-6-10 Fans pose with Dianne and Holly

We even had teachers drive from St. Mary Parish to see us. Thank you so much Mary Ann Hebert & krewe! We love you!

3-6-10 Teachers from St. Mary Parish come to the BIG BOOK BASH at Cherry Books

3-6-10 Teachers from St. Mary Parish come to the BIG BOOK BASH at Cherry Books

Despite our unfortunate circumstances, we gave our fans a terrific show and they had a ton of fun. On the way home from Thibodaux on Highway 1, I drove by this road… How cool is that?!

3-6-10 Bayou Mama Lane on Hwy. 1 in Lafourche Parish

3-6-10 Bayou Mama Lane on Hwy. 1 in Lafourche Parish

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Mama’s Bayou BIG BASH Book Launch Party – Saturday, February 27, 2010

by Dianne on March 2, 2010

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou Frogs Cake

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou Frogs Cake

Friends:

My Mama’s Bayou book launch party with Holly Stone-Barker was a smashing success! We had a beautiful cake made to look just like the frogs in our book, Mama’s Bayou. I also set out mini marshmallow frogs for the kids. So cute!

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne in front of the cake table

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne in front of the cake table

Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenberg, owners of Octavia, were wonderful hosts. They rearranged the book store for our party and did a fantastic job! Thank you so much, Judith and Tom!

2-27-10 Dianne is a Judith Lafitte fan! Judith is co-owner of Octavia Books.

2-27-10 Dianne is a Judith Lafitte fan! Judith is co-owner of Octavia Books.

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, dressed up as a gator. I made her cousins outfits with shirts that had the book’s images on them. They were so cute!

2-27-10 Eliana (gator girl on right) with her cousins

2-27-10 Eliana (gator girl on right) with her cousins

Holly set up a large story time magnet board made from one of the pages in our book. It’s so gorgeous!

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou giant story time magnet board

2-27-10 Mama's Bayou giant story time magnet board

As I sang the story, the children put the animal magnets on their place in the bayou. It worked out so well and the kids loved it!

2-27-10 The children hold their magnets for the story time board

2-27-10 The children hold their magnets for the story time board

I played the tambourine and sang the story with hand motions. Eliana held the book and turned the pages. Holly managed the children with the placement of their animals on the magnet board. It was fun!

2-27-10 Dianne & Eliana demonstrate the story's motions

2-27-10 Dianne & Eliana demonstrate the story's motions

Here are the children doing the hand motions for the story.

2-27-10 The children participate in the story

2-27-10 The children participate in the story

When the story was finished, I sat on the floor with the children to watch Holly as she demonstrated how she creates her cut paper and collage art.

2-27-10 Dianne on the floor with the kids for Holly's demonstration

2-27-10 Dianne on the floor with the kids for Holly's demonstration

Holly did a wonderful demonstration and created a dragonfly! The children were fascinated, watching her put together the dragonfly.

2-27-10 Holly Stone-Barker demonstrates her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly from the book

2-27-10 Holly Stone-Barker demonstrates her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly from the book

After Holly’s demonstration, I showed everyone all the activities that were available with our book, all free and downloadable from the web http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=mamasBayou. Then we drew prizes. We gave away a book bag, a cookie sheet magnet board, a mama and baby frog plush set, and a giant stuffed mama and baby frog.

2-27-10 Drawing prizes!

2-27-10 Drawing prizes!

All the children were given a packet of activity sheets and goody bags containing chocolate graham cracker bears, a “Bear Hugs” postcard, bookmark, hopping frog, and party blower. Then we served frogs, poured swamp juice, and signed books.

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne sign books for loyal fans, Jon & Jordyn!

2-27-10 Holly & Dianne sign books for loyal fans, Jon & Jordyn!

It was a fantabulous day! Thank you to everyone who came to our book launch party. Special thanks to Nina, Katie, and Caitlin of Pelican Publishing for coming! Judith and Tom of Octavia, we couldn’t have done it without you! And of course, thank you to our loyal fans, friends, and family who always stick by us. We’ll stick “bayou” too!

Rock and read on the bayou!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Preparing for Mama’s Bayou BIG BASH book launch – Wednesday, February 24, 2010

by Dianne on February 24, 2010

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

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 thee office waiting for the BIG BASH book launch

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

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Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach Book Launch Party; Saturday, October 3, 2009

by Dianne on October 4, 2009

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas, Johanna Chesser & Marita Gentry

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas, Johanna Chesser & Marita Gentry

Friends:

My book launch party at Octavia Books in New Orleans was a huge success. We had a nice crowd (even though it was LSU game day) with lots of children. All the children were given hats to wear. The girls received roach antennae tiaras while the boys received cone party hats.

10-3-09 Buggy Girls with Roach Antennae Tiaras

10-3-09 Buggy Girls with Roach Antennae Tiaras

I set up a party table with a gorgeous cake, “bug juice,” bookmarks, and a roach party centerpiece.

10-3-09 The Party Table

10-3-09 The Party Table

To celebrate the release of the book, I performed the story while Marita illustrated live. It was a fantastic combination. All the children were given story shakers and everyone danced and sang along.

10-3-09 Marita draws & Dianne tells

10-3-09 Marita draws & Dianne tells

We had so much fun. The whole crowd rocked the book store! We have such sweet little fans! Look at this precious little girl, Jordyn!

10-3-09 Little Jordyn

10-3-09 Little Jordyn

Tom Lowenburg and Judith Lafitte, the book store owners were absolutely fantastic. They were so sweet, moving and shifting things around to accommodate our party. Their staff was awesome too! Thank you all so much for your help in making our book launch party such a smashing success!

10-3-09 Madame Poulet (Tom Lowenburg) Eating Monsieur Roach (Judith Lafitte)

10-3-09 Madame Poulet (Tom Lowenburg) Eating Monsieur Roach (Judith Lafitte)

Fans came from miles around, coming from as far as Baton Rouge! We love our friends, family and fans! Thank you so much for supporting us!

10-3-09 Ms. Hannan and Kaci with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach books

10-3-09 Ms. Hannan and Kaci with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach books

Thank you so much to Holly Stone-Barker and family for coming all the way from Zachary, Louisiana. Holly is the illustrator of my next book, Mama’s Bayou, which will be out in the spring.

Sneak peek of Mama's Bayou (Spring 2010)

Sneak peek of Mama's Bayou (Spring 2010)

I love this picture. Marita Gentry’s mother and grandmother came to the party. Three generations! Beautiful!

10-3-09 (R to L) Marita, her mom & grandmother

10-3-09 (R to L) Marita, her mom & grandmother

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, had a blast. She and her cousins were also instrumental in helping me set up. Thank you, Eliana and Camrynn for setting up the sound system!

10-3-09 Eliana and her party blower

10-3-09 Eliana and her party blower

After the performance, I gave away prizes: a set of creepy crawly cards, my Jump, Jiggle & Jam CD, and a bag of goodies that included my Handmade Tales book. Then it was time for cake and bug juice! The Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach cake was absolutely adorable and delicious! It was almond cake with pineapple filling. Yum!

10-3-09 Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach cake

10-3-09 Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach cake

Marita and I signed a ton of books and we wore the beautiful, handpainted Madame Poulet hats Marita made. So much fun!

10-3-09 Marita Gentry & Dianne de Las Casas sign books

10-3-09 Marita Gentry & Dianne de Las Casas sign books

Even my husband, Antonio, got into the spirit, wearing a Monsieur Roach hat that Marita made.

10-3-09 Antonio as Monsieur Roach

10-3-09 Antonio as Monsieur Roach

Here is a picture of me with Ellen Miller, a school librarian from Bissonet Plaza Elementary. My first book, Story Fest, is dedicated to Ellen.

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Ellen Miller

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Ellen Miller

Our book launch party was a huge success. It was tons of fun! If you didn’t make this party – don’t worry! Marita and I have many book signings scheduled. Just check the calendar for a location near you http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar or sign up for BookTour.com.

The hallmark of a successful party? Being party pooped out… LOL

10-3-09 After the party - My nieces, Ashlynn & Camrynn

10-3-09 After the party - My nieces, Ashlynn & Camrynn

Marita and I have chosen Octavia Books as our official “book launch” independent bookstore. In New Orleans, my books will be launched at Octavia Books.

10-3-09 Judith Lafitte at the Party Table

10-3-09 Judith Lafitte at the Party Table

Thank you to everyone who came to the Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach book launch party! It was an event to remember!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach Hats and Party Centerpiece; Thursday, October 1, 2009

by Dianne on October 2, 2009

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat and Madame Poulet Hat

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat and Madame Poulet Hat

Friends:

Marita Gentry, illustrator of our new children’s picture book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, is a genius! I love her because she always goes along with my zany ideas. Not only is Marita a skilled painter and artist, she is also a skilled seamstress. So I asked her to make us Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach hats for our book launch party, performance, and signing.

Boy, did she do an awesome job! They are GORGEOUS! The Madame Poulet hat is made of fabric treated with Gesso and hand-painted. This is just stunning!

10-1-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Madame Poulet hat

10-1-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Madame Poulet hat

The Monsieur Roach hat is made with a foam visor. Monsieur Roach is made of fabric treated with Gesso, hand-painted, and stuffed. Marita used chenille sticks for his legs and antennae.

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat close up

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat close up

Now aren’t Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach quite the pair?!

10-1-09 Dianne & Eliana with Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach hats

10-1-09 Dianne & Eliana with Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach hats

I created a cute “Roach Party” centerpiece for the book launch party. I printed out the roach puppets, used chenille sticks for their arms & antennae, and hot glued them to colored craft sticks. The sticks are wrapped with colorful chenille. They are stuck in a vase full of Mardi Gras beads. A bookmark with Madame Poulet in the back completes the scene.

10-1-09 Roach Party Centerpiece

10-1-09 Roach Party Centerpiece

This book launch party is going to be a fete to remember!! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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