Book Signing

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Event at Barnes & Noble – Saturday, May 14, 2011

by Dianne on May 18, 2011

5-14-11 Signing books at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, LA for the St. Clement of Rome School book fair. Love The Cajun Cornbread Boy Artwork on the wall!

Friends:

On Saturday afternoon, I had a book event at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, Louisiana. It was a celebration of The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

5-14-11 The sign!

St. Clement of Rome School had a big crowd! They created wonderful artwork that adorned the wall behind the stage in the children’s section. I performed the story and we had a great time! Afterwards, I taught the kids how to make The Cajun Cornbread Boy’s Louisiana Cookbook, turning a single sheet of paper into a six-page book. Then they designed their own Cajun Cornbread Boy!

5-14-11 A fan designs her own Cajun Cornbread Boy!

Here is a fan who was caught reading! I love these moments when kids are full immersed in a book and the world around them ceases to exist… it’s magic!

5-14-11 Caught Reading! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach at Barnes & Noble, Metairie, LA

Thank you, Barnes & Noble Metairie and St. Clement of Rome School! I had a ton of fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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International Reading Association Conference 2011, Orlando, FL – May 9-11, 2011

by Dianne on May 14, 2011

5-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas signing books with Pelican at IRA 2011 in Orlando, FL

Friends:

This past week, I was in Orlando, Florida for the 2011 International Reading Association Conference. About 10,000 educators converged at the convention center for professional development, resources, and access to authors!

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas with a Filipina teacher at IRA 2011 in Orlando, FL

Even I had author fever! Here I am with the amazing team of Henry Cole and Lester Laminack, creators of the picture book, Three Hens and a Peacock. Henry is also the illustrator for the Big Chickens Go to Town books by Leslie Helakowski and a book he wrote, A Nest for Celeste, set in Louisiana.

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Illustrator Henry Cole and Author Lester Laminack at the Peachtree Booth

I even ran into one of my favorite book monkeys… Curious George! He gave me a free book too! Cool!

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Curious George!

On Day 2 of the conference, I signed books with Pelican Publishing. Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach proved extremely popular and it sold out! I met lots of incredible teachers who were sooo sweet!

5-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas and a sweet teacher at IRA

I made some wonderful new friends including a group from the Flagler School District in Florida. Becky Rich Ellis became my new BFF. We went to dinner and even hung out! We had drinks with my close friend and amazing YA author Ellen Hopkins (Crank, Burned, Glass, Identical), Toni DiTerlizzi (The Spiderwick Chronicles), Angela DiTerlizzi (Say What?) Justin Chanda (Publisher, Simon & Schuster), and Brandon Mull (The Fablehaven series). I can’t believe I didn’t remember to take pictures, especially with my friend, Ellen!! Sadness. But I did get an awesome picture with Becky. Happiness!

5-11-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Becky Ellis from Bunnell, FL

IRA 2011 was a great conference and I am looking forward to next year’s conference in Chicago!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Signing: Barnes & Noble Harvey – Friday, May 6, 2011

by Dianne on May 7, 2011

5-6-11 Mother's Day performance of Mama's Bayou at Barnes & Noble, Harvey, LA

Friends:

Yesterday, I had a special Mother’s Day Book Event at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, Louisiana featuring my book, Mama’s Bayou, illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. After I performed the story with the kids, they made stick puppets of the characters from Mama’s Bayou.

5-6-11 Little Alivia makes Mama's Bayou stick puppets

I have the sweetest, most loving fans!

5-6-11 Dianne de Las Casas with sweet petite, Katie

Then it was time to sign books! I had a nice crowd and signed quite a few books. Yay! Thank you to all the wonderful fans who came to Barnes & Noble!

5-6-11 My wonderful little fans!

Happy Mama’s Day from the Bayou! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Author Visit: Berwick Elementary, Berwick, LA – Monday, May 2, 2011

by Dianne on May 5, 2011

5-2-11 Kids and characters... what fun!

Friends:

This past Monday, I was the guest author at Berwick Elementary for the start of their Louisiana Week Celebration. I saw two groups, K-2 and 3-5. They were so much fun!

5-2-11 The sweet K-2 audience at Berwick Elementary

I told the story of The Cajun Cornbread, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach.

5-4-11 Gage, a 5th grader full of personality, plays Monsieur Roach, who is afraid of Madame Poulet!

I even told “The Ghost of Jean Lafitte” to the older group. Boy, did we have a blast! Afterwards, they treated me to lunch from Castellano’s, a fabulous family-owned Italian restaurant. Then it was time to sign books! They brought the students in by class…

5-2-11 Students waiting in line to get their books autographed.

The Berwick Elementary students were so well-behaved and polite!! Mr. Russo and Ms. Armato, you have done a fantastic job with these kids!!

5-2-11 Awwww! How sweet and spicy!

One little girl even asked me to autograph her maraca from Cozumel, Mexico (Yes, I have been there!). Thanks, Julie!

5-2-11 Julie asked me to sign her maraca... Ole'!

It was an amazing visit and I really loved the staff and the students of Berwick Elementary. A special thank you to Mr. Russo, Ms. Armato, Micah, Penny, Cathy, Andrea, Kitt, and all the teachers who were sooo sweet! Berwick Elementary rocks!

5-2-11 My gift from Berwick Elementary!

Happy Louisiana Week, Berwick Elementary! Enjoy your festival on Friday!

5-2-11 The awesome Louisiana quilt made by the student of Berwick Elementary

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Book Signing: A Tisket A Tasket – Sunday, May 1, 2011

by Dianne on May 5, 2011

5-1-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Kid Chef Eliana sign books at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter

Friends:

Kid Chef Eliana and I had a book signing this past weekend at A Tisket A Tasket in the French Quarter during the New Orleans Jazzfest. We had a big, steady crowd the entire time.

5-1-11 A fan takes a picture of Kid Chef Eliana

It was a lot of fun and I saw a lot of people I know in the French Quarter! Here are some cuties that stopped by to buy books! They were the nieces of my friend, Shelly Justice. Hi, Shelly!

5-1-11 The Cajun Cornbread Boy poses with some fans!

Of course, Kid Chef Eliana is always a show stopper. Everyone thinks she is sooo cute. And she is!

5-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana signs books at A Tisket A Tasket

Thank you to Lisa Jones, who is always the gracious hostess. And we miss you so much, Judy Lasko, our favorite A Tisket A Tasket employee, who is now crossed over into the next life. You’ll remain in our hearts always!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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New Orleans Jazzfest Book Signing – Friday, April 29, 2011

by Dianne on April 30, 2011

4-29-11 Cajun Cornbread Boy and I get ready to sign books

Friends:

On Friday, I had a book signing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As I was walking to the Book Tent, I spotted the Royal Couple! Imagine that… William and Kate spending their honeymoon in New Orleans at the Jazzfest! New Orleans is a fun and romantic city!

4-29-11 The Royal Couple, William and Kate, honeymoon at Jazzfest in New Orleans just hours after their incredible wedding in London.

My book signing was at the Book Tent run by Garden District Book Shop. There’s no mistaking this tent…

4-29-11 It's the Book Tent!

My friend, fellow children’s book author, Denise McConduit, was there signing books. She is such a cutie pie and oh so sweet!!

4-29-11 Denise McConduit is a cutie pie signing her DJ books

I had some time before I signed books so I had to scope out the food scene.

4-29-11 Amazing panoramic view of the food stands. YUM!

I ended up with jalapeno sausage bread and mango freeze. Talk about tasty! I live for the mango freeze at Jazzfest! It’s almost worth going to the festival just for the food!

4-29-11 Jalapeno sausage bread and mango freeze, a perfect Jazzfest meal!

But of course, the entertainment is top notch. Large acts are balanced with incredible local acts, peppered throughout the fest on various stages. Here I am with renowned jazz musicians Irvin Mayfield and Bill Summers. If you want to hear unbelievable jazz fusion, look no further… Irvin has a new book out called A Love Letter to New Orleans. Along with anecdotal stories, it comes with a music CD. What a great gift!

4-29-11 It's Irvin Mayfield (L) and Bill Summers (R) from Los Hombres Calientes, true New Orleans jazz fusion music!

Then there’s the folk arts and crafts. You can find some pretty incredible art at Jazzfest. I sooo want this Pelican. It’s handblown glass and a cool $550. What a showpiece!

4-29-11 A gorgeous hand-blown glass pelican in the Folk Crafts Market

On my way out, I had to pass in front of the Congo Square stage. What a treat to listen to Wyclef Jean and the Refugees!

4-29-11 Wyclef Jean and the Refugees rock the Congo Square Stage

The weather was perfect – there was not a cloud in the sky. Though festival goers heated up the fairgrounds, there was a light breeze to cool everyone off. It was one of the most perfect Jazzfest days I have ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot!

Yet another reason to love New Orleans! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Barnes & Noble Easter Event – Saturday, April 16, 2011

by Dianne on April 20, 2011

4-16-11 Dianne performs Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach as Marita draws the story

Friends:

This past Saturday, Marita Gentry and I had a big event at Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge. It was an Easter event sponsored by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. There was an amazing Cupcake Decoration Station. The cupcakes were decorated to look like Easter baskets. Too cute!

4-16-11 The Easter basket cupcake decoration station

Marita and I had two shows. For our first show, we performed The Cajun Cornbread Boy. She drew as I told the story. Love that creative dynamic between us!

4-16-11 Dianne performs The Cajun Cornbread Boy as Marita draws the story

We signed books after the show and then performed again a little while later. This time, we did Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, a favorite amongst our young fans. The kids had such a great time dancing on stage!

4-26-11 Marita draws Monsieur Roach and his partying friends as Dianne sings and dances with her roaches

Marita is an amazing artist. I am always astounded by how fast and accurately she draws! Just look at this… and it looks just like our book!

4-16-11 Marita Gentry with her roach illustrations. What an amazing talent!

My daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, also signed her cookbook, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids. She sold so many books that Barnes & Noble is now down to only three copies! Way to go, Eliana!

4-16-11 Kid Chef Eliana signs books at Barnes & Noble Citiplace for the big LPB Easter Event

A special thank you to LPB and to Abby Hannie at Barnes & Noble for organizing such a fun and busy event! That was A LOT kids and we loved it! Hoppy Easter!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Texas Library Association Conference, Austin – April 12-15, 2011

by Dianne on April 20, 2011

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas at TLA with Dewey the Dragon from There's A Dragon in the Library

Friends:

Last week, I signed books at the Texas Library Association conference with my children’s book publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, and my professional book publisher, Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-Clio.

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas signs books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited at TLA

I went to the conference with Marita Gentry, illustrator of several of my children’s books. We have a new book out this Spring, There’s A Dragon in the Library, and it went over very well at the conference!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas pose with TX librarians at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to at the conference because I was constantly signing books. I had a back-to-back, packed schedule with both of my publishers. :)

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Dewey the Dragon and Nina Fancher at TLA

Marita and I had a fabulous time. I love the fact that our new book gave us an excuse to wear tiaras because of its fairytale theme. The tiaras and Dewey the Dragon stole the show!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas signing books at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

This year I didn’t get many pictures with author friends! I got to hug Phil Bildner and say hi to my Texas storytelling friends. Lucky me, when I went to dinner at Guero’s with my phenomenal team at Pelican Publishing (thank you Caitlin and John), I also got to dine with the fabulous children’s book team of Jan Peck and David Davis. We ran into Jeanette Larson and Melanie Hope Greenberg and they joined us. On another night, I had dinner at Moonshine with my incredible team at Libraries Unlimited (much love to Sharon, Debby, Blanche, Shannon). Kristin Fontichiaro and Alexey Root, both Libraries Unlimited authors, are sweet as pie, and I hung out with them at dinner with the LU team.

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Melanie Hope Greenberg taken at Guero's Restaurant in Austin, TX (iPhone pic)

I managed a bit of shopping and met a wonderful husband and wife team at GSH Designs, where I bought lots of great jewelry for my daughters and for friends. Thank you Rosa and Johnny!

4-15-11 Rosa and Johnny of GSH Designs jewelry. Such nice people!

It was a wonderful conference and I love the city of Austin. I wish I could have seen more of it! A big hug to Marita Gentry for making my TLA conference such a special one.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Barnes & Noble There’s A Dragon in the Library Book Event – Saturday, April 9, 2011

by Dianne on April 19, 2011

4-9-11 Fans hold Dianne de Las Casas' books

Friends:

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, right after my book signing for French Quarter Fest, I headed to Barnes & Noble in Harvey, Louisiana. I had a special event for National Library Week, sharing my story, There’s a Dragon in the Library. We had a nice crowd, and the kids designed dragons and received crowns. What a blast!

4-9-11 Dianne tells the story, There's A Dragon in the Library, at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, LA

A special thank you to Stacey Hensley for organizing the event!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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French Quarter Festival Book Signing – Saturday, April 9, 2011

by Dianne on April 19, 2011

4-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas sign books at A Tisket A Tasket during the French Quarter Festival

Friends:

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, Kid Chef Eliana and I had a book signing at A Tisket A Tasket in the New Orleans French Quarter during the French Quarter Festival. It was quite crowded and bustling! Eliana did a great job mesmerizing the passersby with her cute chef outfit and food knowledge!

4-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana works the crowd

It was a whirlwind signing but so much fun. Thank you to Lisa Jones and Judy for being such great hostesses!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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