< />

Friends:

Yesterday, I had an author visit at Western Heights Elementary, a wonderful school in Westlake, Louisiana. Grace Guth, the librarian, was my hostess. Everyone at the school was incredibly nice.

For my first show, I saw kindergarten through second grade. I told the stories of The Cajun Cornbread Boy, The House that Witchy Built, and The Gigantic Sweet Potato. The students were very responsive and participatory We had so much fun!

My second show was for third through fifth grades. I performed The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. The kids were awesome and I loved having them on “stage” with me!

For lunch, Grace made me a feast of foods that were inspired by my books.

There was fried chicken from Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, garden greens and sweet potato pie from The Gigantic Sweet Potato, Cajun cornbread from The Cajun Cornbread Boy, and chocolate from Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate.

Just look at how cute the tables were decorated! We had lunch in the library.

The most inspiring moment of the day was meeting Bowen, my new hero. He was burned in a fire and has had multiple surgeries. Despite this hardship, he is a thriving and spunky boy. His courage and love of life brought tears to my eyes. I am also a burn survivor from third degree burns incurred during my childhood. I felt a kinship with Bowen and was so moved by his story. Meeting someone like Bowen touched me and inspired me to want to live my life to the fullest.

I signed books and gave bookmarks to all the students in the afternoon. It was an amazing day and I so appreciated the beautiful hospitality from Ms. Guth, the administration, the staff, and the students of Western Heights Elementary.

What a fabulous school!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

From Tuesday through Friday of last week, I was at the Texas Library Association conference in Houston. On the first night I was at TLA, they had an opening reception. I was there demonstrating stories from my forthcoming book, Handmade Tales 2, at the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth. This is me with a mouse hat made out of a paper plate from the Japanese story, “The Mouse’s Wedding.”

Wednesday was the first full day at the exhibit hall. It was packed. Librarians crowded the floor at every major publisher’s booth.

In the morning, I signed books at Pelican Publishing. The booth was busy! Yay! This librarian won an award and came just that day to accept the award at TLA. Woo hoo!

I ran into my good friend, Peter Brown, who was signing his Lucy books (Children Make Terrible Pets and YOU WILL BE MY FRIEND). Go Peter!

In the afternoon on Wednesday, I signed books with ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Here I am with the amazing Anastasia Suen and the terrific Toni Buzzeo. Both of these awesome authors were 2011 Picture Book Month champions. Yay!

That evening, after a fabuloso fajita dinner at Pappasito’s with my publisher, Pelican Publishing, and authors Tom McDermott and Laurie Knowlton (Thanks Laura Midgett and John Scheyd), Peter Brown invited me to hang out with some cool Kidlit authors/illustrators. Paul Zelinsky is so warm and witty. He will be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion. My phone’s flash was being wacky… Sorry!

Adam Rex was also great fun and totally hilarious. We’re Twitter buds so I asked him to pose to look like his Twitter avatar. Lol Adam will also be a 2012 Picture Book Month Champion.

On Thursday, my editor from Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney, gave me a wonderful surprise — a gorgeous handmade sterling silver bracelet. I love it so much! It’s my new favorite. She knows me so well, that I love my bling!

That morning, I signed books with Pelican again. I was only supposed to sign for one hour but I ended up signing for 2.5 hours because it was that busy! Thank goodness no one was after me. Look at that table of books…

The afternoon was filled with busy book signing at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Then it was time for some fun! I had dinner and drinks with my crew from ABC-Clio. Look at these gargantuan meatballs!

Then Alexis Hammond (the blonde), Shannon Hysell (the brunette), and I unwound at a super hip lounge. What a great night! Aren’t they pretty?!

On Friday, I signed books in the morning with Pelican. The exhibit hall closed at noon so I rushed around like mad trying to see everything. Finally, when it was time for me to leave to get to Baton Rouge for my daughter, Soleil’s senior art show, I ran into this… a flat tire!

The hotel referred me to a local mechanic shop and it only took them 15 minutes to fix the tire. All’s well that ends well! On the way back, I stopped at a rest stop just outside Lake Charles and caught this beautiful picture!

I made it to my daughter’s art show and the whole family was there! Look at stunning Soleil!

TLA 2012 was a fun, successful conference for me. I had a blast seeing wonderful Texan librarians and making new friends. Next year, it’s off to Fort Worth!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Today, Eliana and I decided to create a DIY Easter tablescape. First, I started very simply. I stacked cake plates and covered them with Easter grass. A ceramic bunny (my mom made when I was a child) went on top with plastic Easter eggs on the bottom plate. Cute!

Then Eliana worked on her Easter basket. I found a square pink box (how lucky was that?!) in the garage. She added cardstock paper ears, googly eyes, fuzzy stick nose and whiskers, fringed construction paper bangs, and a big cotton ball tail.

I made holes in the side and threaded thick silky green ribbon for the handles, tying a knot on each side to prevent it from sliding through the holes.

Next, we made a family of farmer eggs. Think Mr. MacGregor and his family.

Then we decorated plastic eggs with jewels. So pretty!

One of my favorite pieces is the wooden spoon bunny. He is made with a large wooden spoon, fringed coffee filters, cardstock, giggly eyes, fuzzy sticks, ribbon, and Sharpie marker. He also has a cotton ball tail. He reminds me of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

His companion is a little chick also made with a wooden spoon as well as Fun Foam, googly eyes, fuzzy sticks, and feathers.

I also love this simple little chick. Very easy for kids to do!

We used a combination of Elmer’s glue, glue sticks, and lots of hot glue. Is there such a thing as “web-less” or “string-less” hot glue?! I want some…

Tomorrow, we will attempt to dye eggs with Kool-Aid via a Pinterest find.

Remember, some bunny loves you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

My 11 year old daughter and I saw The Hunger Games movie on opening day and loved it. I was a big fan of the book/trilogy long before it became a blockbuster movie.

In honor of the books and the movie, here is a story about my fun encounter with Suzanne Collins, the author. I met her two years ago at the San Antonio Airport Gift Shop. We had both signed books at the Texas Library Association Conference.

In the photo, we are holding tortilla warmers. We both grabbed the same one, the only tortilla warmer with a blue border. My daughter, Eliana, is a professional kid chef, and I needed to get her a gift. Her favorite color is blue. Suzanne graciously gave me the blue one after I told her about Eliana. This was our conversation. I didn’t know who she was at first… I mistook her for a librarian. Lol

Me: Thank you so much! Were you here for the library conference?

Suzanne: Yes.

Me: Me too! Are you a librarian?

Suzanne: (Laughs.) No, I’m a writer.

Me: I am too. I’m Dianne de Las Casas. I write picture books.

Suzanne: I’m Suzanne Collins.

Me: (Not recognizing her name like a dork) What do you write?

Suzanne: I wrote a little YA series you probably haven’t heard of… The Hunger Games. (She was so humble.)

Me: (WHA?!! I had just finished reading the first two books. Book 3 hadn’t come out yet.) Oh my gosh. Forgive me for not recognizing your name. I love your books. I can’t wait until the movie comes out. There will be a movie, right?!

Suzanne: Yes, there will be a movie. (Smiles.)

Me: I’ll be there on opening day!

Suzanne: You are so kind.

Me: Do you mind if we have a picture together? With our tortilla warmers?

Suzanne: (Laughs.) Sure.

We took the picture and talked a little longer. We found out we were on the same flight. She invited me to sit with her at the gate but I was with my illustrators and we needed to eat lunch.

We hugged and later, at the gate, she waved and smiled as she boarded ahead of me.

So not only is Suzanne Collins a brilliant and amazing writer, she is also sweet, gracious, and kind. Because of that brief encounter, I became an even bigger fan of Suzanne Collins!

Read The Hunger Games and see the movie!!!

“May the odds be ever in your favor.”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

I had the pleasure of a Skype Author Visit with David Hoy Elementary School in British Columbia, Canada. Librarian Marilyn Gammon arranged the visit. Yay, Ms. Gammon!

It was a blast performing my book, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, for the students. They chomped and stomped and roared with me. What an awesome group of kids!

My 11 year old daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, was my guest and she talked to the students briefly about being a chef and an author.

It was a ton of fun and I really enjoyed all the questions they had for me. One of my favorite parts about being an author is being able to speak with kids all over the world. I really enjoyed my Skype visit with the students of David Hoy Elementary! I hope they are inspired to try their hand at writing.

Let the good times… ROAR!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Here’s a fun quick craft for St. Patrick’s Day! Make a lucky shamrock out of a paper plate.

Materials:
1 paper plate
1 green crayon
Scissors

Directions:
First, fold the paper plate into quarters.

Next, with the point at the bottom, cut out the shape of a heart. The paper plate’s point is the heart’s bottom point. Don’t start exactly at the point or you will cut the shamrock into four separate hearts.

Then open up the hearts and you will see a shamrock. Color it green. It makes a great St. Patrick’s Day greeting card. Give the luck o’ the Irish!

May the sun smile upon your face and fair winds blow at your back. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Over the weekend, I had book signings at Sam’s Clubs in Metairie, Harvey, and Slidell. I even had fans and friends come out to see me! Yay, Belinda Meliezer!

I made new friends too. Hi Amber and Messiah!

Great meeting Jaxon in Slidell too. His mom to me he’s been reading Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach so he can take it to school and share it with his class. Way to go, Jaxon!

Thanks for visiting me at my Sam’s Clubs book signings.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Friends:

Yesterday, I did a series of Skype Author Visits to celebrate World Read Aloud Day. I Skyped with 2 schools in Maine, a school in Michigan, and a school in Wisconsin.

I performed my latest book, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, with full audience participation!

It was a blast and I had so much fun. After my story, the students asked me questions about my life as an author and storyteller.

Thanks to LitWorld and Pam Allyn, founder of World Read Aloud Day, for a great worldwide literacy movement!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing 12-20-08

Friends:

On Saturday, December 20, 2008, I had my first book signing for my first children’s picture book,The Cajun Cornbread Boy. The book signing was at Maple Street Children’s Book Shop in New Orleans. It was fun because I was signing books with my best friend, Johnette Downing, Children’s Musician and Author. Johnette was signing her brand new book, Chef Creole.

I am so excited because my book was not supposed to arrive this early. It was quite a rush to make them available for the holiday season. But I have shipped out a ton of books to my sweet fans. Here is a picture of me with my #1 fans, my family – my husband, Antonio, oldest daughter, Soleil, and youngest daughter, Eliana.

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Book Signing with family - 12-20-08

This week held another surprise for me – my other new book arrived: Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle published by Libraries Unlimited.

Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle 12-20-08

But the icing on the cake this week was reconnecting with my best friend from high school (through FaceBook), Fe Reyes Del Rosario. She is a 5th grade teacher and lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. We’ve been talking on the phone every day! I just adore her.

Dianne de Las Casas and Fe Del Rosario Best Friends in High School 1986

So, it’s been a phenomenal week. Lots of good things in my life! What wonderful Christmas Gifts!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Sept 18 2008 - Eliana with Her Library Card in the Reading Castle

Friends:

Today, Eliana, my 8 year old daughter, and I went to the library. It was a special trip because she was getting her very own library card. It may not seem like a big deal to you but it is a very big deal to a third grader! This means that she’s a “big girl,” growing up just a little bit more.

I taught Eliana how to use the computer catalog to perform searches and find books. Then we had a lesson on how to find a book by its call number. She learned about the Dewey decimal system and how nonfiction is categorized. Using the call numbers, she found all her books on her own. Eliana checked out 8 books – 7 cookbooks (for ideas and inspiration for her new blog, Eliana Cooks!) and one book on becoming a chef.

Finally, she checked her books out by herself using the self-service check-out machine. She loved that.

Sept 18, 2008 - Eliana is checking out her books

Going to the library with your children is important. Not only are you putting your valuable tax dollars to work, you are encouraging literacy, supporting your community, and exposing your children to another world through the power of books. Here are some of the services and products the library offers:

* WiFi (wireless internet) access
* Computer use
* Magazines
* DVDs and CDs
* Book Clubs
* Meeting rooms
* Storytimes
* Crafts
* Performances
* Author Visits
* Art Showings
* Books, books, and more books!

Sept 18, 2008 - Eliana's Library Books

So get your children a library card and check out the library! Here’s to the power of reading!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne