Hillsboro Elementary

9-24-09 Dianne & Roaches dancing

9-24-09 Dianne & Roaches dancing

Friends:

In September, I did an author visit with an elementary school in Tennessee. Over the holidays, I received a big box of fan mail from the second, third, fourth, and fifth grades, about 300 letters. They were so much fun to read. I am going to send a letter back with a few goodies for the students. Here are highlights from my favorites:

“The book was especially great, but hearing and seeing the movements of the story in real life was better. That is all I have to say, Miss Dianne. Your friend, Ryan” – 3rd grade

“You were very funny. You need to go to every school! They would love to see you perform! Your Friend, Kristina” – 3rd grade

“I love the part when Madame Poulet ate Monsieur Roach. It was so funny, I nearly ran out of breath. Love, Tyler” – 4th grade

“You’re the greatest author in the world! When I was helping you, I felt like I was going to faint! Your friend, Kalita” – 4th grade

“You put a smile on my face when no one could. Then I went the rest of the day happy. Love, Kendra” – 4th grade

“I love you, Miss Dianne. I told my mom and family the story. They loved it so much that they made me tell it two times. Your best, Elizabeth” – 4th grade

“Thank you for coming. I’ve never met a real live author before! If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t know what it was about, because I didn’t buy a book. You’re pretty too. And how many years do you have to stay in college to be an author? I just want to know. But you’re really cool. If other authors came, and I had to pick a favorite, it would be you! You’re the best!!! Your friend, Courtney” – 4th grade

“Thank you for coming to see us. We loved your stories. We had a blast. You’re wonderful. I love your dancing and your song to get back at your brother. It was funny that you ate Ms. Pearson. Hope you come back. Your friend, Britney” – 4th grade

“I’m your best friend, Madison. You know what?? You’re one of my BFFLs – Best Friends for Life!!! Thank you for coming to our school. Love your friend, Madison” – 4th grade (who drew a picture of me on a horse)

“I liked the part when you pretended to sneeze on my teacher. I almost laughed my brains out!!! Your friend, Colten” – 4th grade

“I had some friends that came and spent the night with me last weekend. I showed them your story and they loved it. When I went to their house, I showed their parents and they laughed to death. Your #1 Fan, Aliyah” - 4th grade

“You are the best author and storyteller. I think you should come again and tell us another story. If people don’t like your stories, they are crazy. Your fan, Christian” - 4th grade

“At first, I thought that it was going to be boring but it was not. It was pretty cool. Your book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach was one of the funniest books I have ever read. Your friend, Ethan” – 4th grade

“There’s a lot of roaches at my grandmother’s house so I will tell her to get a chicken. Yours truly, Nathan” - 4th grade

“Miss Dianne, you rock! Your stories spoke to me. Nobody is more creative than you. You’re so awesome that you have inspired me to write a book. You have inspired so many people with your books. Thanks, Savannah” - 5th grade

“Thank you very much. I liked it because it came from the heart. You didn’t make it up as you went. Your biggest fan, Lucas” – 5th grade

“I love your stories most of all. I have seen and heard a whole lot of authors in my 10 years of age but I don’t think I have ever heard anything like you before. Wait, I know I haven’t. I love your books so much and I wish I had enough money to buy all of your books. Sincerely, your most biggest fan ever, Sain” – 5th grade

“Thank you for coming. I really love your gorgice (gorgeous) eyes. You are really wonderful at telling stories. I wish you could come back and tell us more of your wonderful stories. Your Biggest Fan, Miranda” – 5th grade

“I really loved your book. It was amazing, funny, and a great children’s book. You are a great author and an amazing storyteller. I love the expressions you gave in your stories. They were hilarious. I also liked your song. It was great. It was a blessing to have you. Truly Yours, Sarah” – 5th grade

“I wasn’t here when you came but all my friends told me you were wonderful. I believe them and I think you were awesome. I think the book is genius. Yours truly, Christopher” – 5th grade

“Thank you for coming to my school. It was very nice of your to come from New Orleans, Louisiana all the way up to Tennessee. I really, really enjoyed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and the spooky story. As soon as I got home, I told my mother. She said, ‘I would like to hear that again.’ So thank you. Sincerely, Tanner P.S. You look very pretty” – 5th grade

“This is Caitlin, the girl who cheered for you. You were cool and a big bowl of fun too! I would like hear another one of your books! Your biggest fan, Caitlin” – 5th grade

These letters brought such a big smile to my face and left an indelible imprint on my heart. Thank you very much, Hillsboro Elementary! YOU rock!!

Until next time,

Warmly, Dianne

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9-24-09 Dianne with PK-2 Hillsboro Elem, TN

9-24-09 Dianne with PK-2 Hillsboro Elem, TN

Friends:

I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Tennessee. I had an incredible time as the guest author at Hillsboro Elementary School in Hillsboro, Tennessee. The children were so excited to meet an author! Nancy Dickerson Dickinson, the librarian, was a wonderful hostess. She picked me up from the Nashville airport on Wednesday evening and then took me to dinner at O’Charley’s, where I had a delicious meal.

On Thursday morning, Nancy picked me up from my hotel and whisked me away to her school. The children were so enthusiastic. Nancy did a great job preparing them for my visit, sharing my books with them and telling them all about me.

9-24-09 Dianne and "Roaches" dancing in the performance of "Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach"

I performed three shows, first seeing grades PK, 1 and 2. Next, I saw grades 3 through 5. Finally, I saw the kindergarteners, who came back from a field trip to the county fair.

9-24-09 Dianne performing for kindergarteners

9-24-09 Dianne performing for kindergarteners

I performed my new book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam” song, and “The Ghost of Mable Gable.” We even had time for a little Q&A. The stories were a hit and the students had a ton of fun. Look at these happy faces!

9-24-09 Happy Hillsboro students

9-24-09 Happy Hillsboro students

I also did book signings for all the students in each grade who bought books.

9-24-09 Dianne poses with 1st graders getting their books signed

9-24-09 Dianne poses with 1st graders getting their books signed

I had a marvelous time at Hillsboro Elementary School!! I can’t wait to return… Here’s what Nancy had to say about me (she posted this to a librarians’ listserv, LM_net):

“I had the most amazing author visit this past Thursday, and I have to tell you all about it! New Orleans author/storyteller Dianne de Las Casas came to present at the annual conference of the Tennessee Assn. of School Librarians, and I had her come to my school on the day before the conference began. She was so wonderful to work with, and my students and teachers and I had the time of our lives. I don’t know when we’ve laughed together so much! Her new book from Pelican Publishing, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, is adorable. Great story and great illustrations. But, oh, when she tells it, it comes to life and is hilarious! She was also a fantastic presenter at our conference. We all had so much fun in her storytelling workshop and I’m sure we could have spent a whole day with her, learning great technique and having loads of fun! I was the hero of the school Thursday with both the kids and the teachers. Book fair money well spent!”

9-24-09 Dianne being squeezed by Hillsboro students

9-24-09 Dianne being squeezed by Hillsboro students

I am running out of stupendous adjectives to describe my visit to Hillsboro! Thank you, Nancy, the teachers, staff and students of Hillsboro Elementary. You are terrific, marvelous, cool, spectacular, and incredible! I <3 U and hope to return some day soon!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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