Marita Gentry

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

by dlcasas 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)

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Rave Review: The Gigantic Sweet Potato in New Orleans Magazine; August 2010

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

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

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

by dlcasas 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

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Zachary Elementary School Visit – Monday, April 19, 2010

by dlcasas on April 20, 2010

4-19-10 Warming up with a second grader dancing Zydeco

Friends:

On Monday, April 19, 2010, I visited Zachary Elementary in Zachary, Louisiana and performed for the entire school of second and third graders. My illustrator for Mama’s Bayou, Holly Stone-Barker, is the artist-in-residence at the school. Her sister, Heather Stone, a second grade teacher, arranged my visit. I started with telling The Cajun Cornbread Boy. The students were so much fun and participated in the story.

4-19-10 Zachary Elementary audience particpating in The Cajun Cornbread Boy story

Then I performed Mama’s Bayou, with help from the students on stage.

4-19-10 Performing Mama's Bayou with the help of students on stage

I closed my program with a rousing performance of Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, again with the help of students from the audience.

4-19-10 Students are roaches in Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Afterward, I had lunch with Heather Stone’s second grade class in the cafeteria. Their beefaroni was delicious! I also visited their classroom and told another story. Holly Stone-Barker was in the class and we showed the students the new book we are working on.

I had a wonderful day at Zachary Elementary. Thank you, Heather for bringing me to Zachary Elementary. I had a marvelous time and can’t wait to return!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Texas Library Association Conference, San Antonio – April 15-16, 2010

by dlcasas on April 18, 2010

4-16-10 Dianne de Las Casas signing books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited

Friends:

What a busy week it’s been! I attended the Texas Library Association Conference in San Antonio, Texas with my two illustrators, Marita Gentry and Holly Stone-Barker. My days were non-stop, running from book signing to book signing. I signed at both of my publishers, ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited and Pelican Publishing Company. The only time I got to see the Riverwalk was from my 27th floor room balcony!

4-15-10 View from private balcony at Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas

That evening, Marita, Holly and I attended the Storytelling Swap at the Grand Hyatt. Marita and I told a 7 minute version of Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach, with her drawing the tale as I told. It was so much fun and everyone loved it. The next day, when we signed books, we had a lot of librarians come to buy the book because of our performance.

On Thursday, the girls and I hit the ground running. We signed books at Pelican Publishing during the Exhibit Hall opening from 10am-12pm. It was crazy buzy with non-stop signing for all three of us.

4-15-10 Holly Stone-Barker, Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry sign books

I was lucky enough to get a picture with my good friend, Phil Bildner, a fellow author and amazing person. Phil started a non-profit called NOLATREE. He lives in NYC but takes youth to New Orleans during the summer to rebuild the 9th Ward and areas devated by Hurricane Katrina. Phil, you totally ROCK!

4-15-10 Dianne de Las Casas with Author Phil Bildner

I had a lot of librarians who came looking for me. It was a good day!

4-15-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry with a librarian fan

In the afternoon, I signed books with ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. Again, it was busy but fun because I got to see people I adore like Debby LaBoon, my author rep and Sharon Coatney, my editor. Plus, I got to see a lot of librarians I knew as well as making a lot of new connections!

4-15-10 Dianne de Las Casas with a fan at the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth

Later that evening, I went to dinner with Shannon, an editor with Libraries Unlimited, Kendall Haven, an LU author with nearly 25 LU titles, Debby LaBoon, and Sharon Coatney. We ate at a charming restaurant called Josephine Street Cafe, which had a tree growing in the middle! The food was delicious but the company was even better.

4-15-10 Shannon, Sharon & Debby from Libraries Unlimited

On Friday, Marita, Holly and I headed back to the convention center to sign more books with Pelican Publishing. At the beginning of my signing, Eric Kimmel, author extraordinaire and my friend, came to see me. I was so touched that he stopped by! Thank you, Eric. I <3 U!

4-15-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Author Eric Kimmel

I was also fortunate enough to hang out with the amazing Matthew Gollub, who is an author and phenomenal performer. On Thursday night, I went to the Doo Wop dance with Shannon from Libraries Unlimited and hung out with the two of them all night. What fun! Thanks for swapping tips with me, Matthew. You are one cool dude!

4-16-10 Author & Performer Matthew Gollub with Dianne de Las Casas

My last signing was at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, where the company interviewed me for a video podcast. I’ll let you know when the video is up. After signing, I had a little while to walk the exhibit hall, find friends, and shop. I happened to catch Jenni Holm, my friend and the author of the Baby Mouse series. Her 2 year old daughter, Millie, was with her. I sat on the floor with Millie and told stories while her mom signed books. Typical! LOL But I had a ton of fun with Millie!

4-16-10 Dianne de Las Casas with Author Jennifer Holm (Baby Mouse) and her 2 year old daughter, Millie

We had to leave on Friday evening because I had a keynote and workshop to present on Saturday so I had to stop at the San Antonio airport store to buy gifts for Eliana. To my delight and surprise, I was privileged to meet Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games series. Suzanne and I were both buying “tortilla warmers.” She was so sweet that she let me pick the one I liked best. Despite all her success, she remains humble and gracious. Now, I am an even BIGGER fan! Thanks, Suzanne!

4-16-10 Author Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games series) and Dianne de Las Casas buying tortilla warmers at the San Antonio Airport store

The Texas Library Association conference was rockin’ awesome and I had a blast. I look forward to attending next year, with several new books including There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Book Signing at Cherry Books, Thibodaux, LA – Saturday, March 20, 2010

by dlcasas on March 22, 2010

3-20-10 Dianne dances with roaches in Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Friends:

On Saturday, Marita Gentry and I had a performance and book signing event at Cherry Books in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Before our show, we were interviewed by Woody Falgoust, owner of Cherry Books and TV Host of the show, Books on the Bayou. Woody was so warm and welcoming. He was a great host and made both Marita and I feel at ease, talking to us about our children’s book collaborations. When the TV segment is ready, we’ll let you know!

3-20-10 Marita illustrates Monsieur Roach pretending to be sick

Marita and I performed Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, a New Orleans folktale about why chickens and roaches are no longer friends. Marita illustrated while I told the story with tons of audience participation. We had a great crowd and I pulled several children from the audience to be “roaches” in the story.

3-20-10 Dianne and Marita perform together

Marita is so good drawing live and her illustrations are so cute. It’s a great example of how a story comes to life through pictures. She is at ease at the easel, drawing wicked fast to the amazement of the audience!

3-20-10 "You don't need bug spray. All you need is a chicken!"

Afterward, we gave away Marita’s drawings to all the children in the audience. We also gave out posters, bookmarks, and postcards.

3-20-10 Dianne gives away Marita's drawings

Of course, we signed books too and took pictures with our little fans and friends. I love the people in Thibodaux. They are so sweet!

3-20-10 Dianne and Marita with fans at Cherry Books in Thibodaux

We had a great time at Cherry Books. Thank you to Woody and Susie Falgoust for being such big fans of our work! And thank you to Phyllis, their hardworking manager. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Louisiana Library Association Book Signing – Thursday, March 11, 2010

by dlcasas on March 13, 2010

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

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Madame Poulet Receives Great Book Review from NewOrleans.com – Thursday, January 7, 2010

by dlcasas on January 7, 2010

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

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Book Review of Madame Poulet by the Well-Read Child Blog – Wednesday, December 23, 2009

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

Share and Enjoy:

{ 0 comments }

Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge – Friday, December 11, 2009

by dlcasas on December 14, 2009

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!

Marita Gentry

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

Rave Review: The Gigantic Sweet Potato in New Orleans Magazine; August 2010

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

Zachary Elementary School Visit – Monday, April 19, 2010

Texas Library Association Conference, San Antonio – April 15-16, 2010

Book Signing at Cherry Books, Thibodaux, LA – Saturday, March 20, 2010

Louisiana Library Association Book Signing – Thursday, March 11, 2010

Madame Poulet Receives Great Book Review from NewOrleans.com – Thursday, January 7, 2010

Book Review of Madame Poulet by the Well-Read Child Blog – Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge – Friday, December 11, 2009

Search

The Story Connection Blog

Register or Log In

Archives

Blogroll

Favorite Websites

Kidlit Blogroll

Literacy Websites

Storytelling Blogroll

Storytelling Websites

September 2010
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Aug
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30

Marita Gentry

Search

Register or Log In

Archives

Tags

Blogroll

Favorite Websites

Kidlit Blogroll

Literacy Websites

Storytelling Blogroll

Storytelling Websites