Nancy Dickinson

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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9-27-09 "I Came to Nashville..." quote by Martin Luther King Jr.

After the TASL conference, Nancy Dickinson took me on a dervish of a sightseeing tour of Nashville. We had only a couple of hours before the sun set so we did as much as we could by car. I love city skylines and was happy to get this picture as we came into the city from Murfreesboro.

9-27-09 Nashville skyline

9-27-09 Nashville skyline

This is the old train station downtown. I love the architecture of this building – beautiful!

9-27-09 Old Train Station in Nashville

9-27-09 Old Train Station in Nashville

I took this picture because “Seanachie” means “storyteller” in Irish. It was an old abandoned building that Nancy said used to be a restaurant.

9-27-09 Seanachie

9-27-09 Seanachie

Nancy told me that the AT&T building was nicknamed “The Bat Building” because it looked like a “bat” and it was futuristic like Gotham City. Too cool!

9-27-09 The Bat Building

9-27-09 The Bat Building

Next, we drove by the original Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium. It has been renovated and still hosts concerts and events. The new Grand Ole Opry is outside of Nashville and we didn’t have the opportunity to see it.

9-27-09 The Original Grand Ole Opry - The Ryman Auditorium

9-27-09 The Original Grand Ole Opry - The Ryman Auditorium

After that, we went to the Nashville Public Library and toured inside this breathtaking building, built in 2001. It is a massive structure with marble floors, skylights, a grand foyer, and a fantastic children’s room. The picture of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote was taken in the Civil Rights Room.

9-27-09 Nashville Public Library's grand reception area

9-27-09 Nashville Public Library's grand reception area

The library even hosts art exhibits. There was a beautiful exhibit on Typography when I visited.

9-27-09 Art Installation at Nashville Public Library

9-27-09 Art Installation at Nashville Public Library

The children’s room is gargantuan. It’s painted a fun sunny yellow and even boasts a dedicated puppet theater (with a full stage and sets) named after the great Tom Tichenor.

9-27-09 The Tom Tichenor Puppet Auditorium

9-27-09 The Tom Tichenor Puppet Auditorium

The Nashville Public Library is absolutely a must-visit on your next trip to Nashville. It is a beautiful facility designed that celebrates the rich heritage of the Nashville community.

9-27-09 Telling the Story

9-27-09 Telling the Story

You can even see the State Capitol building from the library’s windows!

9-27-09 Nashville State Capitol

9-27-09 Nashville State Capitol

Next, it was on The Parthenon, a structure built in the center of their city park to resemble the Greek Parthenon. Inside, a large statue of Athena guards the Parthenon with a watchful eye. The Parthenon made Nashville known as the “Athens of the South.”

9-27-09 The Parthenon

9-27-09 The Parthenon

Then we visited Music Row where I saw rows and rows of houses converted in music production offices – agents, music management companies, recording studios, and even bars that catered to musicians!

9-27-09 Welcome Country Music Fans

9-27-09 Welcome Country Music Fans

Located adjacent to Music Row is the controversial “Musica” sculpture. Wikipedia says, “Musica is Alan LeQuire’s largest sculpture commission to date, and currently the largest sculpture group in the United States. It features nine nude figures, male and female, dancing in a circular composition approximately 38 feet (11.5 m) tall. There are five figures which spring forth from the base. Four more rise up in the center floating above the others. The pinnacle of the statue is a female holding a tambourine.” The sculpture represents the arts and the Greek muses.

9-27-09 Musica Sculpture just off Music Row

9-27-09 Musica Sculpture just off Music Row

Nashville is a beautiful city. I would love to have the opportunity to visit at length! Thank you, Nancy Dickinson, for taking me on a tour of your stunning city!

9-27-09 Honky Tonk Heroes Guitar

9-27-09 Honky Tonk Heroes Guitar

At least I got to see more than just the airport! :)

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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9-27-09 Empower!

9-27-09 Empower!

Friends:

On Friday and Saturday, I was a part of the TASL Conference in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. I was the Saturday first general session keynote. On Friday, I attended some great sessions. First, I attended a session by Nick Bruel, author of Bad Kitty and Poor Puppy. Nick is such an interesting and entertaining man. I really enjoyed his session on how Bad Kitty came together.

9-26-09 Nick Bruel, Author of Bad Kitty, presents

9-26-09 Nick Bruel, Author of Bad Kitty, presents

After a quick lunch, I attended a session by storyteller and author, Mary Jo Huff. Mary Jo is an extraordinary presenter. She had an incredible amount of great information and ideas for the early childhood librarian.

9-26-09 Mary Jo Huff and her Peeper friends

9-26-09 Mary Jo Huff and her Peeper friends

Talk about storytime pizzazz! Mary Jo had everyone fired up and smiling!!

9-26-09 Ann Reedy smiles in Mary Jo Huff's session on storytellin' fun

9-26-09 Ann Reedy smiles in Mary Jo Huff's session on storytellin' fun

That night, there was the awards luncheon. I sat at the table that laughed the loudest. We had so much fun! After the association awards were presented, Peg Kehret and Nick Bruel both received awards. Congratulations to both authors!

9-26-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Nick Bruel

9-26-09 Dianne de Las Casas with Nick Bruel

On Saturday, September 27, 2009, it was time for me to present my morning general session keynote. My keynote was entitled “Passport to the Imagination” and it embraced the conference theme: Explore, Excite, Empower! I took the librarians on a tour through my childhood and how I was inspired to write at an early age by many people along the way. There was Hula dancing, interactive book-making, and rousing audience participatory storytelling. I told Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was a whole lot of fun!

9-27-09 Dianne presenting a keynote at the TN Assn of School Librarians Conference 2009

9-27-09 Dianne presenting a keynote at the TN Assn of School Librarians Conference 2009

Afterwards, it was time to do my breakout session. I had 50 minutes to present “Story Fest.” Boy, did we barrel through the process and get right into it.

9-27-09 Story Fest workshop - participants portraying a Mardi Gras parade

9-27-09 Story Fest workshop - participants portraying a Mardi Gras parade

The workshop participants were so good, working so well together. They were so cute presenting their story theater masterpieces. They presented “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking” and “The Frog and the Ox.”

9-27-09 The Reading Rockstars preparing for performance

9-27-09 The Reading Rockstars preparing for performance

The performances were so much fun and the librarians had a grand time. It was a breathless 50 minutes full of lots of “Wow!” moments. After my session, it was time to sign books. The librarians were so sweet. There was such a long line and they were sooooo patient, waiting for me. Thank you so much!

9-27-09 I am a Fan of Dianne! (waiting for Dianne to sign their books)

9-27-09 I am a Fan of Dianne! (waiting for Dianne to sign their books)

It was a fantastic conference and I had such a great time with all the librarians! Thank you to Bruce Hester, Lynn Caruthers, Becky Jackman, Nancy Dickerson Dickinson, Allison Roberts and everyone at TASL who made this conference such a success. It was a flawless experience for me and I was given the star treatment! I appreciate being part of it! You are all AWESOME!

9-27-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Allison Roberts

9-27-09 Dianne de Las Casas & Allison Roberts

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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