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

11-14-09 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

10-24-09 Nearly finished artwork for Mama's Bayou book

Friends:

I had the pleasure of visiting my friend, Holly Stone-Barker, and her family in Zachary, Louisiana. Holly is the illustrator for my next book, Mama’s Bayou, which will be out in Spring 2010. First, we had lunch at Sammy’s, a restaurant in Zachary. Eliana and I ate with Holly, her children: Stephen and Ella, her sister: Heather, and her mom. Lunch was delicious!

10-24-09 Stephen, Eliana and Ella

I love Holly’s family. They are so much fun. We shopped at a little boutique called Persnickety, where I found my favorite Tyler candles and a gorgeous new apron for Eliana. Afterwards, Eliana and I went to Holly’s house for a tour of her studio in the converted attic. A wonderful space! Here’s a picture of me and Holly.

10-24-09 Dianne de Las Casas and Holly Stone-Barker

Our picture book, Mama’s Bayou, published by Pelican Publishing will be out in Spring 2010. Holly works in cut paper and collage and the illustrations are stunning. Although the final artwork was not yet finished, Holly gave me a sneak peek. OMG! Look at these snakes! Each of the scales are individually cut out.

10-24-09 Snakes in Mama's Bayou

Breathtaking is the word the comes to mind. Here is a picture of the crawfish in the book.

10-24-09 Crawish in Mama's Bayou

Check out this cool catfish! Wow!

10-24-09 Catfish in Mama's Bayou

The book, a tribute to the symphony of sounds in the bayou, highlights a number of bayou mamas and their babies as well as the vegetation of the swamp. Here is a “symphony” page.

10-24-09 Symphony page in Mama's Bayou

I am so lucky to be able to work with Holly. Mama’s Bayou is going to be a stunning book and I can’t wait for you to see it! Before Eliana and I left to tell stories at Terror on the Teche in New Iberia, we had to take a picture in front of Holly’s cool Jack-O-Goblin.

10-24-09 Dianne and Eliana in Holly's house

Thank you, Holly, for the lovely tour of your studio and the sneak peek at the art for Mama’s Bayou. We are all excited about the book and your phenomenal artwork!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne