Louisiana

The Gigantic Sweet Potato Launches at Octavia Books in New Orleans – Saturday, October 2, 2010

by Dianne on October 7, 2010

10-2-10 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas in their cute aprons

Friends:

It has been a busy couple of weeks! This past Saturday was the GIGANTIC book launch of my new book with Marita Gentry, The Gigantic Sweet Potato. We held our big party at our favorite independent bookstore in New Orleans, Octavia Books, owned by Tom Lowenberg and Judith Lafitte. The night before, we were busy baking and baking. Kid Chef Eliana and her friend, Breanne, helped make sweet potato chocolate muffins.

10-2-10 Eliana and Breanne make sweet potato chocolate muffins

Marita and I set a beautiful table full of delicious goodies: sweet potato pies, mini sweet potato pies, sweet potato chocolate muffins, and sweet potato chips.

10-2-10 The Gigantic Sweet Potato goodies table

We had such a wonderful turnout! It was a packed house. I performed the story with the kids from the audience acting out the parts of Pa Farmer, Bessie Cow, Ralphie Dog, Kitty Cat and Lily Mouse while Marita illustrated the story. It was full of fun and tons of comedy!

10-2-10 Kids from the audience help pull on the Gigantic Sweet Potato

When the story was finished, we put all of Marita’s drawings together and they formed a line of Ma Farmer, Pa Farmer and all the animals pulling on The Gigantic Sweet Potato. It was sooo cool! Marita, you ROCK!

10-2-10 When all of Marita's drawings are put together, it looks like Ma Farmer and everyone pulling the Gigantic Sweet Potato!

Afterward, it was time for party food! We served apple cider and milk with the sweet potato pies and muffins. While we were serving food, we had the kids create “Sweet Potato Pals” from our correlating book activities. http://www.storyconnection.net/activities/gsp/GSP-Potato-Pal.pdf The winner was Jon!

10-2-10 Winning Sweet Potato Pal by Jon

Then we gave away tons of prizes: gift baskets, a sweet potato pie, oven mitts, and other goodies. After that, it was time to sign books!

10-2-10 Dianne with #1 fans, Jordyn and Jon

It’s so great that Marita and I have the most wonderful little friends who come out to see us!

10-2-10 A fan hugs Marita oh so tight!

We had GIGANTIC fun at Octavia Books! Thank you to Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenberg for welcoming us with open arms. And thank you to everyone who came out and supported us!

10-2-10 Cute girls in their Ma Farmer aprons

Reading is a TON of fun! Sweet reads!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Cajun Cornbread Boy Leaves on Journey Across North America – Wednesday, September 8, 2010

by Dianne on September 9, 2010

9-8-10 Cajun Cornbread Boy gets ready to leave

Friends,

It was a busy day getting Cajun Cornbread Boy ready for his journey. I packed his suitcase with Louisiana brochures, Mardi Gras beads, and Cajun and Zydeco music. In his box is a large U.S. map, The Cajun Cornbread Boy book, and a big red book filled with a guide and activity sheets. Cajun Cornbread Boy is the character from my book The Cajun Cornbread Boy, illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by Pelican Publishing Company.

His first host is Ally Hoadley’s kindergarten class at Phoebe Hearst Elementary School in Metairie, Louisiana. Ms. Hoadley came by to pick up Cajun Cornbread Boy after her school’s open house. Well, you can’t stop by my house and not eat! I had a big roast beef and potatoes dinner waiting for her on the table. We finished with 5-4-3-2-1 No Bake Chocolate Cake. Yum!

9-8-10 Ally Hoadley, Kindergarten Teacher at Phoebe Hearst Elem in Metairie, Louisiana, is Cajun Cornbread Boy's first host.

We brought Cajun Cornbread Boy to Ms. Hoadley’s brand new Honda CRV. Yes, he was riding in style! After buckling him in, I waved an emotional goodbye, and bid him a safe journey. I know he is going to have a blast on his jet-setting trip around North America this year!

9-8-10 Cajun Cornbread Boy is buckled in and ready to go. Safe Journeys!

Watch this blog as his various hosts will be updating it on a regular basis. See what Cajun Cornbread Boy thinks about his journey by following him on Twitter @cajuncornbrdboy. Check out his blog at http://www.cajuncornbreadboy.com!

Laissez les bon temps rouler, Cajun Cornbread Boy! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Kirkus Reviews The Gigantic Sweet Potato – Tuesday, September 1, 2010

by Dianne on September 2, 2010

The Gigantic Sweet Potato Book Cover

THE GIGANTIC SWEET POTATO
Author: de las Casas, Dianne
Illustrator: Gentry, Marita

Review Date: September 1, 2010
Publisher:Pelican
Pages: 32
Price ( Hardback ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
ISBN ( Hardback ): 978-1-58980-755-6
Category: Picture Books

As soon as she feels a hankering for sweet-potato pie, Ma Farmer knows what to add to her excellent vegetable garden. Colorful watercolors accompany the rhythmic text and add a touch of foreshadowing; the indomitable mouse that eventually solves the problem close at hand appears early to watch the goings-on. Based on the Russian folktale “The Giant Turnip,” this lighthearted story stars Ma rather than Pa as the gardener and traces the growth of the sweet potato from farmer’s market to kitchen jar, then through planting, watering and growth. When it’s time to harvest, the fun begins, as Ma Farmer enlists Pa and a variety of farmyard animals to help when the potato remains resolutely rooted underground. Children will happily join in with the repetitive, cumulative text and enjoy the satisfying end, which naturally features sweet-potato pie (and a recipe for it). A nice tie-in to school- or home-based gardening projects, this tasty selection is a solid interpretation of the classic tale, with appealing pictures and a strong female character. (Picture book/folktale. 3-7)

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Book Craft: Cardboard Roll Mouse & Paper Bag Sweet Potato for The Gigantic Sweet Potato book

by Dianne on July 15, 2010

The Gigantic Sweet Potato book, paper bag sweet potato, and cardboard roll mouse

Friends:

Here is a great Book Craft you can do with my book, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by Pelican Publishing Company. They are easy and fun!

The Gigantic Sweet Potato book and cardboard roll mouse

Cardboard Roll Mouse
Materials:
4-5″ cardboard paper roll
construction paper
chenille sticks (white)
Googly eyes
glue
stapler
black marker

Directions:
To make the mouse, from construction paper, cut out a tail and two ears. Pinch one end of the tissue paper roll shut, inserting the tail in the middle. Staple it shut. Wrap the tail around a pen or pencil to create a curl. Pinch the opposite end of the tissue paper roll in the opposite direction (it will look like a triangle). Glue ears at the top and a Googly eye on each side. With a black marker, color the bottom tip, creating a nose. Cut two small white pieces of chenille stick and fold it in half, creating whiskers. Glue on each side of the nose. Your mouse is ready.

Paper Bag Sweet Potato Craft
Materials:
brown paper lunch bag
plastic grocery bags or newspaper
1 green chenille stick
1 sheet green construction paper
orange crayons or orange paint
green marker
hole punch
tape

Directions:
Color or paint every side of a brown paper lunch bag orange. Stuff the bag with plastic bags or newspaper. Cut 3-4 leaves from construction paper and hole punch the top of the leaf. Draw a green line down the middle. Thread leaves on the chenille stick, securing them with a piece of tape. Close the bag by wrapping the end of the chenille stick around the top of the bag. Crumple the bag slightly to give it a less uniform look so that it resembles the misshapen figure of a sweet potato.

The Gigantic Sweet Potato book and paper bag sweet potato

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Mama’s Bayou Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Perkins Road in Baton Rouge – Saturday, July 10, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-10-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Holly Stone-Barker perform Mama's Bayou at Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge on Perkins Road

Friends:

This past Saturday, Holly Stone-Barker and I signed copies of our book, Mama’s Bayou at the new Barnes & Noble store on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I performed the story with the help of the kids. The children placed the magnets on our giant story time magnet board, which replicates a page in our book.

7-10-10 The children place the animals on the Mama's Bayou story time magnet board

Then after the performance, Holly demonstrated her cut paper and collage art, creating a dragonfly. We gave the dragonflies away to the audience, along with a goody bag. Then we headed to the front of the store to sign books. Carron Fillingim, the Community Relations Manger, was so sweet and fun. I look forward to working with her again!

7-10-10 Holly demonstrates a cut paper and collage dragonfly

More book signings are coming up this Fall. The Gigantic Sweet Potato illustrated by Marita Gentry is coming in September!

Keep checking my schedule and join my Facebook Fan Page for updates. http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Program, LaSalle Parish Libraries – July 9, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-9-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl at the Olla Cultural Center

Friends:

Eliana and I ended our summer tour in Lasalle Parish, another of our favorite library systems. We go there every year. Andrea Book and Donna Estis have become close friends. I adore those women! Our first show was at the Olla Cultural Center. It’s a great space because it’s made for performances and it has space to accommodate a small crowd. Of course, we had a ton of fun!

7-9-10 Audience members learn to use poi balls at the Olla Cultural Center

Our last show was at the main library in Jena, Louisiana. It was great to see fans who come to our show every year. We love coming to Lasalle Parish! Besides the great people, we also love shopping at the Caboose!

7-9-10 Everyone dances the Hukilau in the show's finale, Lasalle Parish Library in Jena, Louisiana

It was another great summer in Louisiana Libraries! Eliana and I say “Mahalo!” (Thank you) and “Aloha!” (Farewell).

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Program, Iberville Parish Libraries – July 7-8, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

7-7-10 Audience members are Three Strong Brothers in the story, Maui Tames the Sun

Friends:

Eliana and I had a blast touring in Iberville Parish Libraries, one of our favorite library systems. Everyone there is so sweet! Our first show was at the main library in Plaquemine, Louisiana. We had a lot of kids from Kid Camp at our show and they really enjoyed the Hula! Thank you so much to Danny and Anne for inviting us back to the library every year!

7-7-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the main library in Plaquemine

Our second show was at the branch library in White Castle, Louisiana, home of Nottoway Plantation.

7-7-10 Dianne demonstrate puilis at White Castle Branch Library

We had a nice crowd and the kids were great participants in the show. Kitty Wood, the branch manager, is always so welcoming.

7-7-10 The audience learns to dance The Hukilau at White Castle Branch Library

On our second day in Iberville Parish, we went to the East Iberville Branch Library in St. Gabriel. Eliana and I missed the ferry by 1 minute and had to wait a half hour to cross the river. Fortunately, we arrived on time and set up just in time to welcome a huge group of day camp kids.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

They enjoyed participating in the show and had a great time.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

Our last show was in Grosse Tete/Rosedale at the Lion’s Club. We had a cozy crowd who really got into the show, especially when Eliana danced her fast-moving Tahitian!

7-8-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the Grosse Tete-Rosedale Lion Club

What a fantastic time in Iberville Parish! We can’t wait to return next year! Special thanks to Danny, Anne, Kitty, Lydia, and Brenda for your hospitality. You rock!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Program, Winn Parish Libraries – June 23 & 24, 2010

by Dianne on July 14, 2010

6-24-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl to a packed house, Winnfield, Louisiana

Friends:

It was a great tour in Winn Parish. Our first show was for a Title I program at a local school in Winnfield, Louisiana. Though the audience was smaller than in past years, they had a great time.

6-23-10 Audience members try to do Poi Balls, Winnfield Title I program

Our second show was in Dodson, Louisiana. The show was held in a high school gym, next door to the library because the library is small. Our brand new CD player stopped working but thankfully, Amy Deen, our fabulous hostess, rescued us and brought one from home.

6-23-10 Instructing audience members how to dance the Hukilau in Dodson, Louisiana

The next day, June 24, we were at the main library in Winnfield, Louisiana in the morning. We had a big crowd and everyone loved the show.

6-24-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl to a packed house, Winnfield, Louisiana

They were especially enthralled when Eliana danced Tahitian! Go Eliana!

6-24-10 Eliana dances Tahitian, Winnfield, Louisiana

Our final show in Winn Parish Libraries was at the cozy library in Atlanta, Louisiana. We always have such a warm, enthusiastic crowd there.

6-24-10 Dianne dances Nanakuli with uli ulis in Atlanta, Louisiana

Thank you very much to Amy Deen and Mary Doherty of Winn Parish Libraries. Thank you also to all the fantastic librarians and patrons at all the branches. We had so much fun “splashing” into Summer Reading with you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Show in Bienville Parish Libraries – June 17-18, 2010

by Dianne on June 22, 2010

6-17-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Eliana teach the audience The Little Brown Girl Hula

Friends:

This past week, Eliana and I performed in Bienville Parish Libraries. It was fun returning to Bienville. We stayed in Ruston and had the opportunity to shop at one of our favorite stores – The Beehive! Our first show on June 17 was at the main library in Arcadia. It was packed!

6-17-10 A packed library in Arcadia, Louisiana!

Both the children and the grown-ups enjoyed the show, full of audience participation. We love seeing the landmarks in Bienville, like the tall cowboy and Bryceland “Mall.” LOL

6-18-10 In Bienville Parish, the Bryceland Mall

Our second show on June 17 was at the Ringgold Branch Library. The programs are held in a meeting room and it got quite packed. There were about 80 kids in that room! It’s really great to see the community come out to the library to support summer reading!

6-17-10 Wall-to-wall kids at the Ringgold Branch Library

We had so much fun sharing Polynesian culture with the children from Ringgold. One of the library patrons told me that when she found out I was coming, she had my new book, Mama’s Bayou, Fedexed to her so I could sign it for her. She didn’t want to take the chance that I might have run out of books. Isn’t that sweet?!!

6-17-10 Eliana performs Tahitian at the Ringgold Branch Library

On June 18, 2010, our first show was at the Castor Branch library. It’s a new branch library and the space we had was very tight but we made it work. Everyone enjoyed the program.

6-18-10 Doing the finale of our show, teaching Hukilau at the Castor Branch Library

Our last show in Bienville Parish was at the Saline Branch Library. I love going to this library – I’ve developed quite a fan following in Saline! People were asking me if I had any new CDs! A special thank you to Zachary for helping us pack up our show. :)

6-18-10 Everyone dances the Hukilau at the Saline Branch Library

Eliana and I had a wonderful time in Bienville Parish. Thank you to Peggy, Sherri, and Jeannie for all your support! And a very special thank you to Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding for making the grant possible. We look forward to returning in 2012!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Aloha Tales Summer Reading Show in Natchitoches, Louisiana – June 9-10, 2010

by Dianne on June 15, 2010

6-9-10 Eliana is such a beauty!

Friends:

On June 9-10, 2010, Eliana and I toured in Natchitoches, Louisiana, promoting the Summer Reading Program, “Splash into Summer! Read!” Our first show was absolutely packed. It was so full that the library had to turn away a group because they wouldn’t fit. It’s a great problem to have though, right? Everyone wants in…

6-9-10 The Nachitoches Parish Library is packed solid for our first show!

Eliana and I began with a Hula called, “The Little Brown Girl.” We taught the Hula moves of the chorus to the audience so they could follow along. We did three shows over the course of two days.

6-9-10 Eliana and I demonstrate the moves for The Little Brown Girl

Then I told the story of “Maui Tames the Sun.” In my third show, I had such fun kids on stage. They really got into their roles and were so great!

6-10-10 Maui and his three strong brother lasso the Sun God

Eliana is always so cute when she dances Tahitian. I love her costume and so does the audience! They always say, “Ooh and aah!”

6-9-10 Eliana comes out in her Tahitian costume

We always end the show with a Hula in which everyone participates. We bring people on stage and no one is immune… LOL Eliana and I teach them “The Hukilau,” a traditional Hawaiian Hula that all children in Hawaii learn.

6-9-10 Yes, I will even solicit help from gentlemen in the audience!

Martha Uchino is the fabulous Children’s Services Coordinator of Natchitoches Parish Library. She brought us in and Martha is so much fun. I only wish we could have spent more time together! Thank you for having us, Martha! Arigato!

6-10-10 Martha Uchino, the Children's Services Coordinator for Natchitoches Parish Library, strikes a pose

After our last show, Eliana and I had time to tour Natchitoches. We ate at Lasyone’s, a restaurant famous for its meat pies. They were so good, we brought frozen ones home!

6-10-10 We dined at Lasyones and ate their famously delicious meat pies!

We shopped at Skippidy Doo Da and took a carriage tour through the town.

6-10-10 Eliana stands by Pat the Horse

Our guide, Nathan, was extremely knowledgeable about the town’s history and even threw in a few extras for me, telling me some of the local ghost lore. We rode in front of the library so I had to snap a photo!

6-10-10 Natchitoches Parish Library

He took us through the historic parts of Natchitoches and we even saw the house where the movie “Steel Magnolias” was filmed. It is now a bed and breakfast that welcomes guests.

6-10-10 The house used in the movie, Steel Magnolias

Eliana and I even saw some Natchitoches oddities! Check out this lawn “ornament!”

6-10-10 A rusted Rhino stands as front yard art at a house in Natchitoches

And this is what adorned the backyard! I felt like I was in the movie, “Jumanji!” hahaha

6-10-10 The coiled serpent is their backyard art

On Front Street in downtown Natchitoches, you can even rent a quadricycle and give yourself a tour through town!

6-10-10 Quadricycles for rent on Front Street in Natchitoches

The river that runs through Natchitoches is so pretty. Natchitoches is a quaint and quiet town during the summer. They are famous for their “Festival of Lights” celebration in December. The town has been featured on HGTV and the Travel Channel. Natchitoches is a charming little town. Stop by and see for yourself… And be sure to check out all the wonderful programs the library puts on every week during the summer!

6-10-10 A bayou runs into the Cane River in Natchitoches

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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