3-13-10 Christine Taylor-Butler and Dianne de Las Casas encircled in books!

Friends:

Today, I taught my workshop, “Taming Technology: Using the Internet for Biz Success” to the Kansas City Writers Group. Christine Taylor-Butler, a children’s book author, was my hostess. The workshop was held at the gorgeous Kansas City Plaza Library. The workshop started with some tech issues. The library’s WiFi was offline so neither I nor the workshop participants could connect to the Internet. This was a vital part of the workshop but I went to Plan B – talk. I went over the Internet jargon and took polls to see “who” was in my audience. I had both fiction and nonfiction writers and adult and children’s writers. When the WiFi was finally connected, we were all able to get on the Internet with no problems.

3-13-10 Kansas City Writers work on their laptops during the Taming Technology workshop

They learned about the importance of a good website, how to use social media such as Facebook, Facebook fan pages, and Twitter to attract new fans and followers, and several free, useful Internet tools. It was a three hour workshop and they were all very engaged and overwhelmed. It is a lot of information to intake. I gave them a way to prioritize their biz and marketing goals so they could take things one step at a time.

3-13-10 A cow in the Kids Zone is painted with KC landmarks

After the technology workshop, we went to lunch at a fantastic pizza place called Spin. When we returned to the library. I sat in Christine’s critique group as a guest, offering suggestions on how to pepper their presentations with storytelling strategies. It was a great day and I loved every minute of it.

3-13-10 Art is displayed in the library's children's area

The Kansas City Plaza Library is beautiful and I really enjoyed meeting all the writers that came to the workshop. A big hug and special thank you to Christine Taylo-Butler for inviting me and organizing my entire visit, and to April Roy for the awesome library space.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-12-10 Performing at the Kansas City Plaza Library

Friends:

After a very long, harrowing day of missed connections due to Continental Airline “maintenance” issues, I arrived in Kansas City safe and sound. My hostess, Children’s Book Author Christine Taylor-Butler, picked me up from the airport and brought me to my hotel in the Plaza area of Kansas City. I had time to freshen up, just in time to make it to the library for my storytelling concert and book signing.

It was so much fun! I began with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and then brought children on stage to be “roaches” for my story, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They danced and had a blast.

3-12-10 Performing Madame Poulet with children as little roaches on stage

I even had special people in attendance! My editor from ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney; her daughter, Rache; and her grandson, Will. My friend and fellow storyteller, Joyce Slater, also came to the show! Thank you so much!!

I finished with a spooky favorite, “The Ghost of Mabel Gable.” The kids and grown-ups loved it. It has such a funny ending. After the show, I signed books, posters, and bookmarks. I had the sweetest fans!

3-12-10 Signing books and posters after the show

Special thanks to Christine Taylor-Butler for coordinating the event, to April from the Kansas City Plaza Library for hosting the event, to the AV and security staff of the library, and to Sherry, the CRM of the local Barnes & Noble, who handled book sales. I appreciate the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space in such a fabulous library!

3-12-10 Inside a circle of books at the Kansas City Plaza Library

3-11-10 Author Dianne de Las Casas, Author Johnette Downing & Illustrator Holly Stone-Barker

Friends:

On Thursday, March 11, 2010, I was at the Louisiana Library Association Conference signing books for my publisher, Pelican Publishing Company. First, I signed The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with Illustrator Marita Gentry.

3-11-10 Signing at LLA with Marita Gentry

Then I signed Mama’s Bayou with Illustrator Holly Stone-Barker.

3-11-10 Signing at LLA with Holly Stone-Barker

I was even lucky enough to hang out with my best friend, children’s musician and author, Johnette Downing. It was a terrific day! Thank you to Caitlin Smith of Pelican Publishing for doing such a marvelous job coordinating it all!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

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

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

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

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

2-27-10 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

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.

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

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

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

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

Here are the children doing the hand motions for 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

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

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!

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!

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

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

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Love is In the Air title float

Friends:

On the Sunday before Mardi Gras, Antonio and I always join friends for a Dimanche Gras celebration, hosted by our good friend, Harold Rihner. We eat at the classic and classy New Orleans restaurant, Antoine’s. We had a lovely lunch with Joe and Jane, Mike and Lyndell, Harold and Lisa, and John and Kathleen. Antonio and I are in the middle of the picture.

2-14-10 Our Dimanche Gras Celebration with friends hosted by Harold Rihner, 2nd from the right

This year, Harold booked us in the Proteus room, a gorgeous private dining room dedicated to the Krewe of Proteus, especially the queens. Proteus is the second oldest New Orleans Mardi Gras parade and has been in existence since 1882. In mythology, Proteus is the Shepherd of the Oceans.

2-14-10 The Proteus Room at Antoine's Restaurant

After a sumptuous feast, we walked through the French Quarter.

2-14-10 Dianne in front of a Ferrari

Our ultimate goal was to get to the Hotel Intercontinental, where we had Grand Stand tickets to view the Bacchus Parade. Walking through the French Quarter on Mardi Gras weekend is always fun. There are many interesting characters along the way…

2-14-10 Antonio behind a golden mime

There are even those that cry out, “Let them eat cake!”

2-14-10 No way! Is that Marie Antoinette?!!!

After visiting with our friend Petros at the Country Flame Restaurant on Iberville, we went to the Hilton on St. Charles, where our friends had a room, to change into “parade” clothes. This meant lots of layers as the weather was unseasonably cold and windy. In fact, I totally bundled up!

2-14-10 Dianne, feeling like a popsicle

Once at the Grand Stand, I met a nice couple, Mervin and Frieda from Ruston, who shared their spot with me at the front of the Grand Stand, so I could take pictures for this blog! Thank you so much, Mervin and Frieda! You rock!

2-14-10 Mervin and Frieda, the nice couple I met from Ruston, LA

The theme for Bacchus was “Love is in the Air” to honor Valentine’s Day, since the parade fell on the lovely holiday this year. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints Quarterback and Super Bowl XLIV MVP, was this year’s reigning king. Crowds whipped into a frenzy when his float cruised by.

2-14-10 Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, King of Bacchus

Drew Brees’ wife, Brittany, was also on the float throwing trinkets to the adoring crowds.

2-14-10 Drew Brees' wife, Brittany

Normally, I love watching the marching bands from all the schools but this year, the bands didn’t play and dance a lot near our Grand Stand.

2-14-10 Southern University marching band

The floats were beautiful but some of my favorites are perennial favorites – the traditional Bacchus floats that appear year after year such as Queen King (King Kong’s wife).

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade's Queen Kong

The Baccha-Whoppa float, an annual super float in the shape of a whale, stopped right in front of us. There were some unusual delays in the parade and huge gaps between floats.

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Baccha-Whoppa

Two of the riders were directly in front of me and I was able to converse with them. They were fun guys and gave us lots of throws. They were even nice enough to pose for me!

2-14-10 The coolest riders on Baccha-Whoppa

Bacchatality is another favorite float. It features riders from the hospitality industry in New Orleans. The float is decorated with foods that are mainstays in Louisiana: crawfish, hot sauce, etc. It is a three caboose float that can hold tons of riders.

2-14-10 Bacchus Parade - Bacchatality float

I love the float that featured the iconic “The War Is Over!” kiss. So sweet!

The floats were so cleverly titled to correlate with the Krewe’s theme “Love is in the Air” and so beautifully decorated. All of the riders matched their floats with corresponding costumes.

2-14-10 Bacchus is the God of Wine

Although less goodies were thrown this year than in year’s past, the floats were gorgeous and I loved partying downtown, despite the chilly temperatures (people left the parade en mass because of the cold weather). It was another fun, memorable Dimanche Gras. Thank you, Harold and Lisa, for a spectacular celebration!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

2-12-10 TS Cooley's Mardi Gras Spirit

Friends:

On Friday, I visited T.S. Cooley Magnet Elementary School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was the Friday before Mardi Gras and the school was celebrating “Louisiana Day.” The school was decked out in Mardi Gras decorations and the students wore purple, green and gold.

I had two assemblies: one for K-2 and one for grades 3-5. First, it was the little ones. I told the story, “The Frog and the Cajun Princess,” a fractured tale and parody of “The Frog Prince.” Then, with help from audience members, I sang, “Thibodaux Lived Near the Bayou,” an adaptation of “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” I ended with Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. The kids were so much fun and they loved the stories.

My next assembly was for grades 3-5. I told the same stories except that I replaced the song with a string story, “The Pesky Skeeter” and a demonstration of a string star. The students were so enamored of the string figures that they began using their Mardi Gras beads to form the figures. So I did an impromptu instructional session. They loved it!

2-12-10 A student creates a star from Mardi Gras beads

Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach was also a big hit with the older grades. Afterwards, they told me how much fun they had and that I was the best storyteller they had ever seen. I love my job!

2-12-10 Students grades 3-5 take a picture with Dianne

After my school visit, I had the privilege of lunching with a friend and fellow writer, Cay Gibson. Cay is a columnist with the Lake Charles American Press newspaper and children’s literature expert. She took me to a fabulous local restaurant called Southern Spice. They had the best fried green beans I had ever tasted. Wow!

2-12-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Cay Gibson

Then Cay and I were lucky enough to meet a Mardi Gras queen, the queen of Krewe de La Maison in Lake Charles.

2-12-10 Dianne with the Queen of the Krewe de La Maison in Lake Charles

I really enjoyed my day in Lake Charles. Thank you so much to T.S. Cooley Magnet Elementary, Principal Fritzi Fralick, Renee’ Stump, and Cay Gibson for your hospitality! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Happy Nardi Gras!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne