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

Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Book Review of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach
By Kim Ranjbar
NewOrleans.com

One of the most difficult adjustments I have had to make since moving to New Orleans is the proliferation of roaches. In California, I had seen the pencil-eraser-sized German cockroaches, but never in my life had I been exposed to what is called a “palmetto.” These enormous cockroaches grow as large as 1 1/2 inches in length (I swear I’ve seen larger), form wings in adulthood (oh yes, they can fly) and are considered one of the fastest running insects. In a study at UC Berkeley in 1991, they were clocked at a record speed of 3.4 mph! I can’t tell you how many times palmettos have eluded my attempts to stomp them to death, only to scurry off into an invisible crack underneath my kitchen cabinets.

Never did I expect to find a children’s book about roaches, but not too long ago I discovered Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach by Dianne de Las Casas, author of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. She is a local writer and recording artist, residing in Harvey, Louisiana who has received critical acclaim from the American Library Association and is a performer at arts-in-education programs all over the state.

When I saw the cover of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, I couldn’t help but be tickled by a children’s book relating a tale between a chicken and a cockroach. As the story goes, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach were once great friends who lived together in harmony, foraging for food and generally enjoying one another’s company. One day, Madame Poulet arises from bed early (as usual) and goes into Monsieur Roach’s bedroom to wake him to go and find more food. Monsieur Roach begins to moan and tells Madame Poulet that he is too sick to help. Madame Poulet, concerned about her good friend, tells him to stay in bed and get some rest so he can get better.

As soon as Madame Poulet leaves the house, what does that rascally roach do? He invites over all his cockroach friends to party, crying “Laissez le bon temps rouler!” After several days of feigning sick and throwing parties while Madame Poulet is gone, Monsieur Roach finally gets caught when Madame Poulet comes home early. Both her food and friend problems end in one fateful snap of her beak as she swallows up Monsieur Roach and all of his friends.

This folk tale is really well done with wonderful rhyming and repetition, something I deem invaluable for children’s stories, especially when reading aloud. The illustrations, by Marita Gentry, are bright and colorful, perfect for story-time page turning.

Best of all, I’ve learned that now, all I need to do to sort out anymore cockroach problems is to get myself a chicken!

Link to the article

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

12-11-09 Dianne de Las Casas, Marita Gentry & Alyson Guidry

Friends:

On Friday, right after my residency, I had to head to Baton Rouge for a book signing at Barnes & Noble Citiplace. Marita Gentry, the illustrator of my books, The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, sketched live while I performed the story from our latest book, Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach.

12-11-09 Marita Gentry draws Monsieur Roach pretending to be sick

We performed in the children’s section on the stage. I had children from the audience come to the stage and be roaches in the story, singing and dancing.

12-11-09 Monsieur Roach yells Laissez les bon temps rouler!

We had a great crowd. The children’s area was full of fans, big and little! Yay!

12-11-09 The audience at the performance of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

We gave away Marita’s drawings and then signed books.

12-11-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry sign books

We had a lot of people patiently wait for us to autograph their books. Thank you!

12-11-09 The autograph line

We posed for pictures with our sweet little fans and had a wonderful time!

12-11-09 Dianne & Marita with a cutie pie fan

It was a great, successful event and we had a blast! Thank you, Barnes & Noble, for having us. We look forward to returning!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne de Las Casas

11-29-09 Signing books at SE IRA Conference in New Orleans

Friends:

This past Sunday and Monday, I signed books for Pelican Publishing at the South East Regional International Reading Association Conference. It was a great conference and I met so many wonderful people and made new friends. It was also nice seeing my old friends too! I was excited to finally meet Brod Bagert, Rick Anderson, Chuck Galey, and Michael Shoulders. I had corresponded with Rick, Chuck, and Michael over Facebook but had not met them in person. Wonderful guys! They were so warm and friendly.

11-29-09 Chuck Galey, Rick Anderson, Dianne de Las Casas & Michael Shoulders

On the first day, I signed by myself and did very well, moving a lot of books. I shared the table with other Pelican authors including Cecilia Dartez and Sheila Hebert Collins.

11-30-09 Pelican Authors - Dianne de Las Casas, Cecilia Dartez & Sheila Collins Hebert

On the second day in the morning, Marita Gentry, the illustrator for The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, joined me.

11-29-09 Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry sign books

We did a live demonstration with me telling the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach and Marita illustrating on a large pad. It was so much fun and afterwards, we signed books. Books flew off the table as people lined up. We had a marvelous crowd. Thank you so much to the teachers and librarians who came to see us! We love you!

11-29-09 Joyous fans wait for autographs from Dianne and Marita

I took Marita to meet my friends, Rick Anderson (Illustrator) and Michael Shoulders (author). Lo and behold, Brod Bagert was at the table. So we all took a moment to pose for the camera… I really enjoyed meeting Brod, who is a children’s poet from New Orleans. He was charming and effervescent and always had women flocked around his booth. Of course, it can’t hurt that Brod serenaded me with song and poetry performed in Spanish!!

11-30-09 Brod Bagert, Dianne de Las Casas, Rick Anderson, Marita Gentry & Michael Shoulders

Back at the Pelican booth on Monday afternoon, New Orleans Saints fever was high. But chicken and roach fever was higher!

11-30-09 Dianne & John Scheid pose as Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach

Thank you very much to the fabulous Pelican sales team who did a phenomenal job: Caitlin Smith, Scott Campbell, and John Scheid. I look forward to being with you at the next conference! TLA, here we come!

11-30-09 Caitlin Smith & John Scheid, part of the dynamic sales team at Pelican Publishing

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-21-09 Signing at Barnes & Noble, Harvey, LA

Friends:

This past weekend I had 5 book signings! It’s the holiday season and it’s a busy time! My first signing was on Saturday morning at 10am at Sam’s Club in Harvey, Louisiana. Fortunately, I live in Harvey so I didn’t have far to drive. Yay! I was positioned by the front entrance and they had a nice table set up for me, with a table covering and plants on either side. Sales were good and I moved a lot of books.

11-21-09 Signing at Sam's Club in Harvey, LA

A big thank you to my 9 year old daughter, Eliana, for taking all the photos! Eliana was my helper extraordinaire, especially since I am still recovering from a sprained ankle. After a quick lunch at Sam’s Club, Eliana and a stop at Office Depot for more Sharpies to autograph with, Eliana and I headed to Maple Street Book Shop for a 2pm book signing. Marita Gentry, my illustrator, met me there. Thought we didn’t have the crowd we expected (it was raining and there was an LSU game), we still had fun.

11-21-09 Signing at Maple Street Book Shop in New Orleans, LA

Eliana and I headed home to rest a little bit and freshen up. My next book signing was at 7pm at Barnes & Noble in Harvey. Again, I didn’t have to drive far! Unfortunately, Marita was unable to join me. I had a marvelous crowd. It was packed!! I had fans come too! I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, telling the story with the help of children on stage and in the audience. We had a blast!

11-21-09 Sharing stories at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, LA

I sold a bunch of books. One parent said to me, “That was the best story time we have ever seen at Barnes & Noble!” Another girl, Brianna, told me that she came to my last book signing of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and she was going to come to the next one too! Brianna said she was a “fan for life.”

11-21-09 Telling story of Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, LA

On Sunday, I had two book signings scheduled. The first one was at 10am at Sam’s Club in Metairie, Louisiana on Airline Highway. At first, sales were slow. People were rushing through, trying to get their shopping done before the New Orleans Saints game at 12pm. But in the second hour, sales were phenomenal. I even had a woman who loved my books so much she called me later and asked me to come to her son’s school. She’s going to come to my next book signing this upcoming Saturday after Thanksgiving!

11-22-09 Signing at Sam's Club in Metairie, LA (Yes, Wolfgang Puck is behind me. LOL)

Eliana had a big fan too! A little boy named RJ fell in love with her and didn’t want to leave her side! He was the cutest thing! He wouldn’t stop staring at her!

11-22-09 The little boy who fell in love with Eliana

My next signing was in Kenner, a hefty drive from my house so Eliana and I decided to kill time in Metairie (next to Kenner) by shopping at Lakeside Mall. The mall was filled with shopper bees, buzzing around from store to store, spending all their “honey.” The mall was, of course, decorated for Christmas and it was hard not to be in a holiday mood, especially since we saw (on a TV in the Food Court) the Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and become a 10-0 undefeated team! Go Saints!

11-22-09 Eliana at Lakeside Mall in Metairie, LA

My last signing was at Sam’s Club in Kenner from 4pm to 6pm. Shoppers were in a good mood, partly due to the Saint’s nice win. Here, I had the best sales of the weekend. My books went like hotcakes and I had to ask the manager to bring out more books. Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach sold out and I thought some ladies were going to fight over the copies! Fortunately, I had enough for everyone. One lady bought 12 books as Christmas gifts! Thank you to the Hezeau family!

11-22-09 Signing at Sam's Club in Kenner, LA

It was a good weekend and I met some fantastic people. Thank you to my new fans and friends!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-14-09 Dianne & Marita with fans at Cherry Books

Friends:

Today I was at Cherry Books in Thibodaux, Louisiana with my illustrator, Marita Gentry promoting our new book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Cherry Books is a beautiful little independent book store in Thibodaux on Canal Boulevard. The inside is so cute and they change the decor of children’s section to reflect the seasons. Look at this fantastic holiday Nutcracker!

11-14-09 The giant holiday nutcracker at Cherry Books

Marita illustrated live while I told the story of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. The girls were given roach antennae tiaras while the boys were given party hats. They played story shakers and danced with me. It was so much fun!

11-14-09 Marita draws while Dianne and the roaches dance

Here is a close-up of Marita’s live illustration.

11-14-09 Close-up of Marita drawing

Afterwards, we passed out the illustrations to the audience and then signed books and the illustrations.

11-14-09 Dianne & Marita sign books and illustrations

We had “old” fans (from The Cajun Cornbread Boy) and new fans! This little boy, Samuel, said that when he grows up, he wants to become our assistant! Too cute!

11-14-09 Dianne & Marita with Samuel

Marita and I had so much fun at Cherry Books. The book store said that we are welcome to Cherry Books any time! I look forward to returning in the spring with my new book, Mama’s Bayou.

11-14-09 Madame Poulet and her twin?!!

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, is a great little photographer. Check out this self-portrait!

11-14-09 Eliana wears Monsieur Roach on her head

After the book signing, Antonio, Eliana and I went to Thibodauxville, a big festival that takes place in downtown Thibodaux. My friend, Debbie Ruester and her daughter, Rebecca, were there and we visited with them for a while. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious and we ate a hearty lunch of Louisiana festival food: brisket sandwich, meat pies, Cajun sausage sandwich, bread pudding, and peanut butter fudge. YUM!

11-14-09 A mansion for auction in downtown Thibodaux

Thibodaux is a really cute town nestled next to the bayou. It is the home of Nicholls State University which now boasts the John Folse Culinary Institute. I love this picture of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral.

11-14-09 St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux

It was a wonderful day to be in Thibodaux. A special thank you to Marita Gentry, my talented illustrator, Pelican Publishing for publishing our books, and the staff of Cherry Books for always supporting us! And of course, thank you and a big hugs to all of our little (and big) fans in the bayou region.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

11-11-09 Acadiana LifeStyle cover

Friends:

Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach was the Acadiana LifeStyle’s book editor’s pick for a children’s book to give during the holidays. Yay! Here is the review…

11-11-09 Review of Madame Poulet in Acadiana LifeStyle

Christmas Books are Very Special
And Here are Some Suggestions for Giving
By Ray Saadi – Book Editor

Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach
By Dianne de Las Casas
Illustrations by Marita Gentry
Pelican $15.95

Here’s a book even Dads will enjoy reading to the kids. Seems Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach were such good friends they decided to share a lovely house together and to forage for their food together. But that rascally roach pretended to be sick whenever Madame Poulet asked him to come along and help forage. Finally, Madame became suspicious and discovered Monsieur’s treachery and she dealt with him… oops, sorry, I won’t spoil the ending.

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas, Johanna Chesser & Marita Gentry

Friends:

My book launch party at Octavia Books in New Orleans was a huge success. We had a nice crowd (even though it was LSU game day) with lots of children. All the children were given hats to wear. The girls received roach antennae tiaras while the boys received cone party hats.

10-3-09 Buggy Girls with Roach Antennae Tiaras

I set up a party table with a gorgeous cake, “bug juice,” bookmarks, and a roach party centerpiece.

10-3-09 The Party Table

To celebrate the release of the book, I performed the story while Marita illustrated live. It was a fantastic combination. All the children were given story shakers and everyone danced and sang along.

10-3-09 Marita draws & Dianne tells

We had so much fun. The whole crowd rocked the book store! We have such sweet little fans! Look at this precious little girl, Jordyn!

10-3-09 Little Jordyn

Tom Lowenburg and Judith Lafitte, the book store owners were absolutely fantastic. They were so sweet, moving and shifting things around to accommodate our party. Their staff was awesome too! Thank you all so much for your help in making our book launch party such a smashing success!

10-3-09 Madame Poulet (Tom Lowenburg) Eating Monsieur Roach (Judith Lafitte)

Fans came from miles around, coming from as far as Baton Rouge! We love our friends, family and fans! Thank you so much for supporting us!

10-3-09 Ms. Hannan and Kaci with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach books

Thank you so much to Holly Stone-Barker and family for coming all the way from Zachary, Louisiana. Holly is the illustrator of my next book, Mama’s Bayou, which will be out in the spring.

Sneak peek of Mama's Bayou (Spring 2010)

I love this picture. Marita Gentry’s mother and grandmother came to the party. Three generations! Beautiful!

10-3-09 (R to L) Marita, her mom & grandmother

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, had a blast. She and her cousins were also instrumental in helping me set up. Thank you, Eliana and Camrynn for setting up the sound system!

10-3-09 Eliana and her party blower

After the performance, I gave away prizes: a set of creepy crawly cards, my Jump, Jiggle & Jam CD, and a bag of goodies that included my Handmade Tales book. Then it was time for cake and bug juice! The Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach cake was absolutely adorable and delicious! It was almond cake with pineapple filling. Yum!

10-3-09 Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach cake

Marita and I signed a ton of books and we wore the beautiful, handpainted Madame Poulet hats Marita made. So much fun!

10-3-09 Marita Gentry & Dianne de Las Casas sign books

Even my husband, Antonio, got into the spirit, wearing a Monsieur Roach hat that Marita made.

10-3-09 Antonio as Monsieur Roach

Here is a picture of me with Ellen Miller, a school librarian from Bissonet Plaza Elementary. My first book, Story Fest, is dedicated to Ellen.

10-3-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Ellen Miller

Our book launch party was a huge success. It was tons of fun! If you didn’t make this party – don’t worry! Marita and I have many book signings scheduled. Just check the calendar for a location near you http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar or sign up for BookTour.com.

The hallmark of a successful party? Being party pooped out… LOL

10-3-09 After the party - My nieces, Ashlynn & Camrynn

Marita and I have chosen Octavia Books as our official “book launch” independent bookstore. In New Orleans, my books will be launched at Octavia Books.

10-3-09 Judith Lafitte at the Party Table

Thank you to everyone who came to the Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach book launch party! It was an event to remember!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat and Madame Poulet Hat

Friends:

Marita Gentry, illustrator of our new children’s picture book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, is a genius! I love her because she always goes along with my zany ideas. Not only is Marita a skilled painter and artist, she is also a skilled seamstress. So I asked her to make us Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach hats for our book launch party, performance, and signing.

Boy, did she do an awesome job! They are GORGEOUS! The Madame Poulet hat is made of fabric treated with Gesso and hand-painted. This is just stunning!

10-1-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Madame Poulet hat

The Monsieur Roach hat is made with a foam visor. Monsieur Roach is made of fabric treated with Gesso, hand-painted, and stuffed. Marita used chenille sticks for his legs and antennae.

10-1-09 Eliana with Roach hat close up

Now aren’t Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach quite the pair?!

10-1-09 Dianne & Eliana with Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach hats

I created a cute “Roach Party” centerpiece for the book launch party. I printed out the roach puppets, used chenille sticks for their arms & antennae, and hot glued them to colored craft sticks. The sticks are wrapped with colorful chenille. They are stuck in a vase full of Mardi Gras beads. A bookmark with Madame Poulet in the back completes the scene.

10-1-09 Roach Party Centerpiece

This book launch party is going to be a fete to remember!! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne