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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

Friends:

I haven’t blogged in a while and I am testing the WordPress app from my iPhone. January and February were fantastically busy months launching my new book, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, illustrated by Marita Gentry. We toured bookstores across Louisiana and had a great time with all the kids!

Laissez les bon temps rugir! Let the good times… ROAR!

Until next time….

Warmly, Dianne

1-7-12 The food table with Mardi Gras Mambo popcorn and a fleur de lis king cake!

Friends:

Last Saturday, Marita Gentry and I had our Dinosaur Mardi Gras book debut party at Octavia Books in New Orleans. It was so much fun! Despite the incredibly huge football weekend it was in New Orleans (Saints playoff game and LSU v. Alabama national championship game), we had a GIGANTOSAURUS turn-out! We had an amazing food table with Mardi Gras Mambo popcorn from Popcorn Bistro and a fleur de lis king cake from Hi-Do Bakery.

1-7-12 The fleur de lis king cake from Hi-Do Bakery. Yum!

The book is inspired by a Dinosaur Mardi Gras float that my nephew made a few years ago. I still have the original float that inspired the book. It is the centerpiece of our food table. It is also a craft that kids can make. You can find it in the back of the book.

1-7-12 Dinosaur Mardi Gras shoebox float, like the craft at the back of the book

I performed the story as my daughter, Eliana, turned the pages of the book. Marita Gentry, the illustrator, drew Dino doubloons using paper plates. She did an amazing job and we gave them to the kids afterwards. All the kids received DINO-MITE prizes too.

1-7-12 The kids pose with Marita Gentry's Dinosaur Doubloons, drawn live during the performance, on paper plates

Marita designed 18 different Dinosaur masks and the kids made them at the party. They came out sooo cute!

1-7-12 Dinosaur Mardi Gras masks that the kids made!

It was a CHOMPING, STOMPING up-ROAR-ious time at Octavia Books! Thank you and hugs to Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenburg of Octavia books for hosting our CARNIVORE CARNIVAL! ROAR!

Until next time…

Warmly,
Dianne