6-1-11 In Leesville, LA performing my draw and tell story, The Emperor's Dragon
Friends:
These past couple of days, I have been touring Louisiana for the library summer reading programs. I visit the library as a special guest, performing my stories and getting kids excited about reading. It’s so much fun. I kicked off the summer at the Vernon Parish Library in Leesville, Louisiana, a good 5 hour drive from New Orleans. I began the program with a couple of draw and tell stories, “The Emperor’s Dragon” and “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” The kids loved the stories.
Next, I told a story from Spain called “Medio Pollito.” It is the story of how a weather vane came to be and how a little chick with a lot of attitude learns his lesson! Then it on to a fun song called “My Aunt Came Back.” I ended my program performing the story from my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by Pelican Publishing Company.
6-1-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library at the Vernon Parish Library in Leesville, LA
But the finale of the show was Kid Chef Eliana! She came out in full chef uniform and performed her new song, “Cool Kids Cook!” She was adorable!
6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana performs her song, Cool Kids Cook!
Afterward, we both signed books and took pictures with fans. Fun!
6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana takes a picture with little Victoria, who looks only slightly amused. LOL
A special thank you and a big hug to Flo, our hostess with the mostest! She was so sweet and accommodating, just a delight to be around!
6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas with Flo, the children's librarian in Leesville
It was a ton of fun in Leesville (although it hit 103 degrees outside! Whew!).
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
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10-23-10 Marita draws Ma Farmer in The Gigantic Sweet Potato
Friends:
We launched The Gigantic Sweet Potato on the bayou in Thibodaux, Louisiana at Cherry Books. We had such an awesome crowd! Marita illustrated the story live as I performed it with interactive participation from the kids in the audience. Boy, did we have fun pullling that gigantic sweet potato!
10-23-10 Everyone helps pulling up The Gigantic Sweet Potato
Not only was every kid a character in the story, every kid was a character!! I love how interactive this story is both with dramatic role playing and the rhythmic refrain that repeats throughout the story. Marita’s illustrations amaze me every time. She keeps in time with the story, drawing her little heart out… FAST!
10-22-10 Marita draw Lily Mouse in The Gigantic Sweet Potato
Sometimes, I wish I could sit down and just watch her draw! What a talent!
10-23-10 Marita draws Lily Mouse with a gigantic piece of sweet potato pie
When the story was finished, there was a surprise for the audience… All the pictures lined up to create a scene in the book of everyone helping pull up the gigantic sweet potato. Then the kids holding the pictures got to keep the illustrations! How cool is that?!
10-23-10 All Marita's illustrations lined up to show a picture of everyone pulling up The Gigantic Sweet Potato. WOW!
The kids created Sweet Potato Pals and lined up to have their books, drawings and posters signed.
10-23-10 A sweetie pie shows her Sweet Potato Pal
It was great to see old friends and new faces too! We had a great crowd at Cherry Books, our biggest yet!
10-23-10 Dianne and Marita pose with the coolest fans!
Of course, we can’t forget that we wrote other books too. Cajun Cornbread Boy had to get his 5 minutes!! 
10-23-10 Sweet Petite holds Cajun Cornbread Boy. Awwww!
Everyone showed such enthusiasm and creativity!!
10-23-10 Yes, Nerds are Sweet Potato Pals too...
A special thank you to Eliana, my little farm girl, who was such a GIGANTIC help the past couple of days with my book launches! Eliana, you are a cutie patootie pie!
10-23-10 Farmer Eliana
Another gracious thank you to Cherry Books. Marita and I appreciate your welcoming us to your store with every new book! Merci beaucoup!!
Sweet reads! Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
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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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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
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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
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