1-7-12 The food table with Mardi Gras Mambo popcorn and a fleur de lis king cake!

Friends:

Last Saturday, Marita Gentry and I had our Dinosaur Mardi Gras book debut party at Octavia Books in New Orleans. It was so much fun! Despite the incredibly huge football weekend it was in New Orleans (Saints playoff game and LSU v. Alabama national championship game), we had a GIGANTOSAURUS turn-out! We had an amazing food table with Mardi Gras Mambo popcorn from Popcorn Bistro and a fleur de lis king cake from Hi-Do Bakery.

1-7-12 The fleur de lis king cake from Hi-Do Bakery. Yum!

The book is inspired by a Dinosaur Mardi Gras float that my nephew made a few years ago. I still have the original float that inspired the book. It is the centerpiece of our food table. It is also a craft that kids can make. You can find it in the back of the book.

1-7-12 Dinosaur Mardi Gras shoebox float, like the craft at the back of the book

I performed the story as my daughter, Eliana, turned the pages of the book. Marita Gentry, the illustrator, drew Dino doubloons using paper plates. She did an amazing job and we gave them to the kids afterwards. All the kids received DINO-MITE prizes too.

1-7-12 The kids pose with Marita Gentry's Dinosaur Doubloons, drawn live during the performance, on paper plates

Marita designed 18 different Dinosaur masks and the kids made them at the party. They came out sooo cute!

1-7-12 Dinosaur Mardi Gras masks that the kids made!

It was a CHOMPING, STOMPING up-ROAR-ious time at Octavia Books! Thank you and hugs to Judith Lafitte and Tom Lowenburg of Octavia books for hosting our CARNIVORE CARNIVAL! ROAR!

Until next time…

Warmly,
Dianne

12-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas is drawing A is for Alligator at St. Bernard Parish Library

Friends:

On Saturday morning, I did my A is for Alligator: Draw and Tell Tales from A-Z program from my book of the same name (illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited) at the St. Bernard Parish Library. My 11 year old daughter, Eliana, came with me and did all the photography. Thanks, Eliana! Along with the drawing steps, I told stories that went along with the steps. Janet Perez, the children’s services coordinator, asked me to adapt the program for the holidays. So I did!

12-9-11 One of the kids draws Gator Claus

“B is for Bear” was super cute. The children named the bear “Bella.” I embellished her with a bow, jingle bell earrings, and a pink tutu. Hilarious and adorable!

12-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas draws B is for Bear with embellishments

It was a family program so the grown-ups were drawing right alongside the children.

12-10-11 Library patrons at St. Bernard Parish Library work on their drawings

Here is “B is for Bear” by one of the children.

12-10-11 B is for Bella Bear

Next, I did “D is for Dog.” I drew a Dalmation and the results were so much fun. Look at this “D”-lightful Dog drawn by one of the kids.

12-10-11 A child draws D is for Dog. Love that hat!

Then it was “P is for Penguin,” a cool Winter animal!

12-10-11 P is for Penguin

My last draw and tell story from A is for Alligator was “W is for Whale.”

12-10-11 W is for Whale

Just for Janet, I developed some new draw and tell stories. They came out sooooo cute! Using the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3, I drew Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

12-10-11 A child's drawing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Using the Numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3

I also used the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3 to draw Santa Claus!

12-10-11 Drawing Santa with the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3

I ended the program with a rousing rendition of the Christmas song, “Up On the Housetop” with kids playing instruments and singing. It was so much fun!

12-10-11 Ending the program with a performance of Up On the Housetop

Thank you so much, Janet and St. Bernard Parish! I love visiting your library!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-24-11 Jane, a new librarian friend, Dianne de Las Casas & Marita Gentry

Friends:

It has been a fabulous, non-stop week in New Orleans! The American Library Association (ALA) was in town for their annual conference. I was so excited to play hostess because I live in New Orleans!

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011
On Thursday, I picked up my good friend, Katie Davis (children’s book author/illustrator and host of Brain Burps About Books podcast) and John Schumacher (a librarian/book reviewer of Mr. Schu Reads fame) and took them out to eat at Al Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. Then we had an impromptu Kidlit drink night at W.I.N.O. (Wine Institute of New Orleans) and tons of children’s book authors showed up: Michelle Knudsen (Library Lion), Phil Bildner (The Hallelujah Flight), Kevin Lewis (Editor at Disney/Hyperion), Ellen Hopkins (Crank, Burned, etc.), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle series) and Alex from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The late night ran into the wee morning… good times with good friends!

6-23-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Ellen Hopkins

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
On Friday, it was the opening of the exhibit hall known as “The Stacks.” The ribbon-cutting was at 5:15pm. I signed books from 5:30-6:30pm at Pelican Publishing and ran into my long-time friend, author and storyteller Rose Ann St. Romaine, who is a fellow Pelican author.

6-24-11 Children's Book Authors Dianne de Las Casas and Rose Ann St. Romain

On Friday night, I went to dinner with my author liaison from ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, Debby LaBaoon. Debby and I ate at Pascal Manale’s, famous for their barbecue shrimp. I just LOVE Debby! Afterwards, it was off to the ALA Dance Party at Oz in the French Quarter. I went with children’s book author, Erica Perl, who is fun and fabulous! We hung out with Ellen Hopkins, Kevin Lewis, Phil Bildner, and a large group of dancing librarians.

6-26-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Debby LaBoon

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2011
On Saturday, it was the first full day of the stacks and it was buzzing! I signed books in the morning with illustrator Marita Gentry, who has illustrated several of my books including The Cajun Cornbread Boy and There’s a Dragon in the Library. There was a line waiting even before I sat down and we sold out of There’s a Dragon in the Library! After that, Marita and I signed books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited. We promoted our new professional book, A is for Alligator: Draw and Tell Tales from A-Z. Kid Chef Eliana was with me and she had a great time exploring the stacks and visiting the new “What’s Cooking?” section of the ALA exhibit hall, which hosted cooking demos and cookbook signings.

6-25-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry sign at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited

On Saturday evening, it was time for the ALSC Stories for a Saturday Evening Concert. I was the headlining storyteller and shared the stage with Patty Carleton and Elizabeth Ellis (whom I have adored for years). Marita Gentry accompanied me, drawing as I told the stories. We began with “W is for Whale” from our new book, A is for Alligator: Draw and Tell Tales from A-Z.

6-25-11 Marita Gentry draws W is for Whale as Dianne tells the story from their new book, A is for Alligator

Then we performed There’s a Dragon in the Library, which is a great story that showcases Marita’s drawing and coloring skills!

6-25-11 Marita Gentry draws Dewey the Dragon as Dianne tells the story from their new book, There's a Dragon in the Library

We closed with Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, an old New Orleans folktale that has lots of boisterous audience participation with members of the audience coming on stage to play the parts of the roaches. So much fun!!

6-25-11 Marita Gentry draws Monsieur Roach as Dianne tells the story, with helpers, from their book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

Then it was time for our final bow. Thank you to Mary Morgan Smith, who organized the Stories for a Saturday Evening concert, sponsored by ALSC (American Library Services to Children).

6-25-11 Taking a final bow with Marita Gentry, Elizabeth Ellis and Patty Carleton with host Mary Morgan Smith

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2011
On Sunday, I signed more books with Pelican Publishing and ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited.

6-27-11 The ABC-Clio booth

But the big event of the night was the Newbery Caldecott Wilder banquet!

6-26-11 The Newbery Caldecott Wilder Awards Banquet

I sat at a table with my dear friend, Beth Jackson, who sat next to her friend, Ellen Ruffin, Curator of the deGrummond Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. I wish I knew the name of the woman sitting next to Ellen! Sorry.

6-26-11 Cutie pie, Ellen Ruffin and Beth Jackson at the Caldecott Newbery Wilder banquet

To my left was Sara Rutenberg, Chief Operating Officer of SCBWI. Wow. What luck I had! She was a great table-mate and we laughed lots.

6-26-11 Sara Rutenberg, COO of SCBWI at the Newbery Caldecott Wilder banquet

My friends Jim Averbeck and Diane Chen came by to see me. They hadn’t met each other and I thought they looked so good together in this picture! GLAMOROUS!! Jim Averbeck is the host of Interviews on the Kidlit Red Carpet, in which he does red carpet interviews with kidlit authors. Even I got interviewed! He was accompanied by the lovely ladies, Kristen Venuti and Katie Davis.

6-26-11 Children's Book Author Jim Averbeck with ALA Executive Board member Diane Chen

On the red carpet, I ran into children’s book author Anastasia Suen and we discovered something we had in common: we love bows and peeptoes! LOL

6-26-11 Dianne de Las Casas' shoes & Anastasia Suen's shoes. We love bows & peeptoes!

First, they announced the winners of the Caldecott Honors: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Bryan Collier and Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein. The Caldecott went to A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. Erin’s speech was so sweet and poignant. She made me cry. It made me love the book even more!

6-26-11 A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead wins the Caldecott

Then it was time for the Newbery Medal. The Newbery Honors went to Margi Preus for The Heart of a Samurai, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, Rita Williams-Garcia for One Crazy Summer, and Jennifer L. Holm for Turtle in Paradise. Jenni is a good friend of mine and I was so excited to see her win!

6-26-11 My friend, author Jenni Holmes, wins the Newbery Honor for Turtle in Paradise! Yay Jenni!

The Newbery Medal went to Clare Vanderpool for Moon Over Manifest.

6-26-11 Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool wins the prestigious Newbery Award

Tomie dePaola is also a good friend so I was elated to see him honored with the Wilder lifetime achievement medal. Well-deserved! Afterward, I talked to Bob Hechtel, Tomie’s assistant, and he showed me the gorgeous medal.

6-26-11 Tomie dePaola's assistant, Bob, with the Wilder medal

This is the Wilder medal up close. So pretty!

6-26-11 The Wilder medal up close!

After the banquet, a group of us went out to celebrate Jenni Holm’s special night. Crazy things happen when kidlit authors are partying! LOL Dan Santat signed John Schumacher’s shirt. Then all the kidlit authors got to sign it, including me! I got the collar. LOL

6-26-11 Dan Santat draws on Mr. Schu's shirt - how cool!

We were in the “Living Room” of the W. Tomie dePaola was there and posed for this cute picture with me. Doesn’t he look so jolly?!! Adorable.

6-26-11 Tomie dePaola and Dianne de Las Casas

As the consummate New Orleans hostess, everyone wanted a place (at 3 in the morning, mind you), where we could get some good grub and drinks. So I suggested St. Charles Tavern. We all piled into a mini-van cab and headed there: Jenni Holm, Ellen Hopkins, Katie Davis, Dan Santat, John Schumacher, Travis Jonker, and Eric Wight. It was so late, it was early. We saw the sun come up!! I didn’t get home until 6:30am!! Ssshhh! But look at how fresh we looked on Monday!

6-27-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Children's Book Authors-Illustrators Eric Wight & Dan Santat

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2011
On Monday morning, I performed at the Pop Top stage for the National Storytelling Network. I performed The Cajun Cornbread Boy and a short string story called “The Mosquito.” I also got to see some long-time Louisiana storyteller friends, Sylvia Davis and Rosa Metoyer! Love you, girls!

6-27-11 Storytellers Sylvia Davis, Dianne de Las Casas, and Rosa Metoyer

It was off to sign books with Pelican Publishing Company one last time and it was busy. Then I was able to finally walk the stacks with my precious daughter, Eliana.

6-26-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Halle Durand and Tony Fucile, author & illustrator of Mitchell's License

That evening, I went to the International Librarians Reception. I ran into Diane Chen again and she invited me to a private reception in the ALA Presidential Suite. I met Roberta Stevens, the 2011 ALA President. What a sweetie!

6-27-11 Diane Chen - ALA Executive Board, Roberta Stevens - 2011 ALA President, and Dianne de Las Casas

After the President’s reception, I met with my friend, Ryan Sias, who is a fantastic children’s book author and graphic novelist. His work has great style.

6-27-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Children's Book Author-Illustrator Ryan Sias

ALA 2011 in New Orleans was a phenomenal conference for me! Loved every minute of it and it was so much fun playing hostess and ambassador to the stars. I look forward to Anaheim next year!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-17-11 The draw and tell story of The Emperor's Dragon from Dianne's book, Handmade Tales

Friends:

This past Saturday, I performed at the NAS Belle Chasse Library for their summer reading program, which was themed “A Mid-Summer Knight’s Read.” It was a special performance for me because my mom, who retired last month, worked on base for many years, my step-dad still works there, and I am a certified Navy brat! Thank you to Chaney Foote, who brought me to the base library. We had a small but super-fun crowd and I LOVE the castle and knight decorations that Chaney put up! The library was so cute!

6-17-11 An intimate but fun audience at the NAS Belle Chasse Library

I told my draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon,” from my book, Handmade Tales. Also from my book, I told another draw and tell story, “Catching a Pest in 7 steps.”

6-17-11 The draw and tell story of Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Dianne's book, Handmade Tales

We got down, we got funky, we even became monkeys! Hilarious!

6-18-11 Monkeys in the audience!

I told the story of “Medio Pollito” with the help of Robin, an energetic boy in my audience. Thanks, Robin!

6-17-11 Tell the story of Medio Pollito

I also told There’s a Dragon in the Library but my camera died so I don’t have any pictures! We had a great time and I loved being at the NAS library!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-17-11 Dianne de Las Casas does a draw and tell story called The Emperor's Dragon from her book, Handmade Tales

Friends:

This past Friday, I performed at the St. Bernard Parish Library for the summer reading program. I opened with a gift to Janet Perez, the children’s librarian. I gave her a set of poi balls from my trip to Hawaii. Poi balls are balls at the end of a long yard rope that are twirled in patterns. They are used by the Maori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), which is part of the Polynesian Triangle. Janet tried her hand at the poi balls and did a great job!

6-17-11 Children's Librarian Janet Perez tries her hand at Maori Poi Balls

I apologize for the quality of the pictures. The backlighting made it hard for my little digital camera to take good pictures. My first story was “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my Handmade Tales book. After I drew the story, I showed them a Chinese dragon marionette that I picked up from my travels to Hawaii.

6-17-11 Dianne shows a Chinese dragon marionette she brought back from Hawaii's Chinatown

The next story I told was another draw and tell story from my Handmade Tales book called “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.”

6-17-11 Dianne does another draw and tell story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, from her book, Handmade Tales

I did a fun traditional song, “My Aunt Came Back” and then told the story of “Medio Pollito,” a tale from Spain in which a half-chick with a full attitude does not listen to his mom. It’s a fun story with lots of audience participation. I ended with my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

6-17-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library

Dewey the Dragon made an appearance at the end of the story.

6-17-11 Dewey the Dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library makes an appearance

Then special guest, Kid Chef Eliana, came out and rocked the house with her song, Cool Kids Cook!

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana rocks her song, Cool Kids Cook

We all had a great time and I love visiting the St. Bernard Parish Library. Thanks so much, Janet!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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

5-17-11 Dianne de Las Casas and her cast for There's a Dragon in the Library

Friends:

On Tuesday, I had a special presentation of There’s A Dragon in the Library at Barnes & Noble in Mandeville, Louisiana. It was my debut of the book in Mandeville. I had such a great crowd! Marita Gentry, the illustrator, was supposed to be there but unfortunately, she couldn’t make it. She did, however, send me signed artwork to give away and this lucky little girl won it!

5-17-11 It was a special day for this little cutie ... she graduated from kindergarten AND she won the Dewey the Dragon original art by Marita Gentry!

After my performance, the kids made Dewey the Dragon puppets. I love how these come out!

5-17-11 Little fan make Dewey the Dragon paper bag puppets from There's a Dragon in the Library

Here’s a close-up of the puppet and the precious little boy who made Dewey the Dragon!

5-17-11 What a cute little dragon with a cute little boy!

Thank you to Barnes & Noble Mandeville for hosting this wonderful event.

5-17-11 Dianne and a fan pose... Smile!

I had a great time with all the kids and look forward to returning in the Fall with my new books!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-6-11 Mother's Day performance of Mama's Bayou at Barnes & Noble, Harvey, LA

Friends:

Yesterday, I had a special Mother’s Day Book Event at Barnes & Noble in Harvey, Louisiana featuring my book, Mama’s Bayou, illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker. After I performed the story with the kids, they made stick puppets of the characters from Mama’s Bayou.

5-6-11 Little Alivia makes Mama's Bayou stick puppets

I have the sweetest, most loving fans!

5-6-11 Dianne de Las Casas with sweet petite, Katie

Then it was time to sign books! I had a nice crowd and signed quite a few books. Yay! Thank you to all the wonderful fans who came to Barnes & Noble!

5-6-11 My wonderful little fans!

Happy Mama’s Day from the Bayou! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-2-11 Kids and characters... what fun!

Friends:

This past Monday, I was the guest author at Berwick Elementary for the start of their Louisiana Week Celebration. I saw two groups, K-2 and 3-5. They were so much fun!

5-2-11 The sweet K-2 audience at Berwick Elementary

I told the story of The Cajun Cornbread, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach.

5-4-11 Gage, a 5th grader full of personality, plays Monsieur Roach, who is afraid of Madame Poulet!

I even told “The Ghost of Jean Lafitte” to the older group. Boy, did we have a blast! Afterwards, they treated me to lunch from Castellano’s, a fabulous family-owned Italian restaurant. Then it was time to sign books! They brought the students in by class…

5-2-11 Students waiting in line to get their books autographed.

The Berwick Elementary students were so well-behaved and polite!! Mr. Russo and Ms. Armato, you have done a fantastic job with these kids!!

5-2-11 Awwww! How sweet and spicy!

One little girl even asked me to autograph her maraca from Cozumel, Mexico (Yes, I have been there!). Thanks, Julie!

5-2-11 Julie asked me to sign her maraca... Ole'!

It was an amazing visit and I really loved the staff and the students of Berwick Elementary. A special thank you to Mr. Russo, Ms. Armato, Micah, Penny, Cathy, Andrea, Kitt, and all the teachers who were sooo sweet! Berwick Elementary rocks!

5-2-11 My gift from Berwick Elementary!

Happy Louisiana Week, Berwick Elementary! Enjoy your festival on Friday!

5-2-11 The awesome Louisiana quilt made by the student of Berwick Elementary

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

4-16-11 Dianne performs Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach as Marita draws the story

Friends:

This past Saturday, Marita Gentry and I had a big event at Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge. It was an Easter event sponsored by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. There was an amazing Cupcake Decoration Station. The cupcakes were decorated to look like Easter baskets. Too cute!

4-16-11 The Easter basket cupcake decoration station

Marita and I had two shows. For our first show, we performed The Cajun Cornbread Boy. She drew as I told the story. Love that creative dynamic between us!

4-16-11 Dianne performs The Cajun Cornbread Boy as Marita draws the story

We signed books after the show and then performed again a little while later. This time, we did Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, a favorite amongst our young fans. The kids had such a great time dancing on stage!

4-26-11 Marita draws Monsieur Roach and his partying friends as Dianne sings and dances with her roaches

Marita is an amazing artist. I am always astounded by how fast and accurately she draws! Just look at this… and it looks just like our book!

4-16-11 Marita Gentry with her roach illustrations. What an amazing talent!

My daughter, Kid Chef Eliana, also signed her cookbook, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids. She sold so many books that Barnes & Noble is now down to only three copies! Way to go, Eliana!

4-16-11 Kid Chef Eliana signs books at Barnes & Noble Citiplace for the big LPB Easter Event

A special thank you to LPB and to Abby Hannie at Barnes & Noble for organizing such a fun and busy event! That was A LOT kids and we loved it! Hoppy Easter!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne