by dlcasas on August 16, 2010
The Gigantic Sweet Potato book, paper bag sweet potato, and cardboard roll mouse
“As cherubs get ready to go to school this fall, show how much fun they can have with learning – and teamwork – with The Gigantic Sweet Potato. Adapted from a Russian folktale, “The Giant Turnip,” Harvey author-storyteller Dianne de Las Casas brings us another charming read-aloud with Louisiana roots, literally. Ma Farmer enlists the help of her hubby and animals big and small to help her with a particularly troublesome sweet potato. Illustrator Marita Gentry of Walker creates a colorful world with clues of what comes next. “Sweet Potato Fun Facts” might even help get picky eaters to eat their veggies. Or you could make a pie with the included recipe, of course.” – New Orleans Magazine, August 2010
by dlcasas on December 23, 2009
Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach
Book Review by the Well-Read Child Blog
Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach by Dianne de Las Casas, illustrated by Marita Gentry
Growing up in the rich storytelling country of the Appalachians, I latched on to stories and folktales when I was very young. There’s something quite magical about listening to someone tell you a story, and I especially love to hear retellings of old classics I heard when I was a child. That’s why when Pelican Publishing sent a copy of Dianne de Las Casas’s The Cajun Cornbread Boy, a retelling of the Gingerbread Boy, it became a fast favorite in our house. In fact, my daughter asks me to read it to her often and even makes me chase her while she says, “Run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m full of cayenne.”
So, when Pelican sent a copy of Dianne de Las Casas’s newest book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, we were eager to crack it open. Set in New Orleans back in the day when chickens and roaches were friends, Madame Poulet (a chicken) and Monsieur Roach (a roach of course) were best friends. They live together and are supposed to forage for food together, but lazy Monsieur Roach decides to pretend to be sick and invites all of his roach friends over for a marvelous fête while Madame Poulet is out looking for food. When Madame Poulet catches on, she gets a bit of revenge, and it’s the end of friendships between chickens and roaches forever.
This is the kind of story that is meant to be read and acted out loud. You absolutely have to sing the song that the roaches sing while Madame Poulet is out (set to the tune of “La Cucharacha”). While the story is mostly set inside the New Orleans house of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, Marita Gentry’s illustrations give you colorful glimpses of New Orleans as Madame Poulet goes about her day foraging for food. With words and phrases like fete, madame, monsieur, and “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” seamlessly sprinkled throughout, you get a sense of the city’s Cajun culture. A glossary in the back defines all of the French words that are in the book.
This is the type of story you can really have fun with. Kids will laugh, especially at the stomach-turning ending.
Reading Level: Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Pelican Publishing (September 8, 2009) |
ISBN-13: 978-1589806863 | Source: Review copy from publisher
by dlcasas on September 14, 2009
9-14-09 Eliana with Stone Pizza by Susan K. Mitchell
Stone Pizza
By Susan K. Mitchell
Illustrated By McNevin Hayes
Picture Book Ages 3-9
ISBN: 9781891795268
This story is about a coyote and other hungry desert animals. Coyote wants stone pizza. When he says he wants stone pizza, the other animals peek out of their hiding places. First coyote says that he needs some flour. A raccoon offers flour to the coyote, in return for a slice of stone pizza. The coyote keeps asking for pizza ingredients and the animals continue to give him the ingredients if he promises to share his pizza. Once the stone pizza is ready to eat, the stubborn horn toad offers a cricket to put on the stone pizza. The coyote tells the horn toad to save it for his slice of stone pizza. When it is finished, all the animals eat the stone pizza. The illustrations by McNevin Hayes are fun and bright. My favorite part of the book is the end when Horn Toad says, “I bet we can use that stone to make Prickly Pear Pie.” Coyote says, “Let’s get cookin!” Stone Pizza a great book to teach teamwork, sharing, and friendship.
Review by Eliana, 9 years old, 4th grade
by dlcasas on September 14, 2009
9-14-09 Eliana with The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
The Magician’s Elephant
By Kate DiCamillo
Middle Grade Novel Ages 9-12
ISBN: 9780763644109
From beloved Newbery author Kate Dicamillo comes a moving story about unexpected magic, the power of dreams, and importance of family. Peter can hardly believe it when a fortuneteller tells him that yes, his sister is alive and that the elephant will lead the way. How can an elephant’s sudden appearance in an opera house change Peter’s life forever? A remarkable chain of events involves the intertwining lives of a magician, a noble woman, a manservant, a soldier, a policeman, a beggar, a dog, a nun, a sculptor, two children, and an elephant. Connected only by a thread of hope, they learn that sometimes, a simple truth can set you free and that love can bring people together.
Note: Kate DiCamillo is embarking on a nationwide tour to promote The Magician’s Elephant. Learn more on her website at http://www.katedicamillo.com/
Reviewed by: Dianne de Las Casas
by dlcasas on September 14, 2009
9-14-09 Eliana with The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
A Brixton Brothers Mystery
By Mac Barnett
Middle Grade Novel
ISBN: 9781416988106
Steve Brixton is obsessed with the Bailey Brothers, sibling sleuths who are the 1950s stars of fifty-eight detective books. After reading all their books, Steve is practically a detective himself. It all begins in the library. Without warning, a covert team of secret agent librarians begin hunting him down. Steve learns that he is in the midst of a national secret involving a stolen quilt. Wanted for a crime he didn’t commit, Steve must solve the mystery in a jiffy to clear his name before time and his library card run out. The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity is full of non-stop action and laugh out loud fun. Reluctant readers and adventure seekers will never look at the library the same way again. Available October 6, 2009.
http://www.brixtonbrothers.com
Reviewed by: Dianne de Las Casas
