6-28-10 The ABC-Clio Booth
Friends:
From June 25 through June 28, 2010, I attended the American Library Association conference in our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, I did not see a lot of the District this time because I was so busy with the conference. But here is a picture of the Capitol building I took from a cab! LOL
6-28-10 The Capitol Building
I also managed to snap a shot of the Washington Monument. Fortunately, I have been to Washington, DC before and have been to many of the museums. It’s a great city to visit.
6-28-10 The Washington Monument
My first day to sign books was Saturday, June 26. I had a lunch and panel to attend first. When I went to the ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited booth, there were people waiting for me to sign their books. Very cool. 
I signed copies of my brand new book, Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales.
6-26-10 Signing books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited
Here I am with my dynamic team of women from ABC-Clio!
6-26-10 Dianne de Las Casas with the Libraries Unlimited team (L-R) Shannon Hysell, Kristina Sheppard & Debby LaBoon
Later that evening, I was invited to a yacht cruise on the Potomac River by my friend, Tammy DiBartolo from Rapides Parish Library.
6-26-10 Tammy DiBartolo & Dianne de Las Casas on the Playaway Potomac yacht cruise
The cruise was sponsored by Playaway. The yacht was named, “Celebrity.” Not only was it fun but the sights were also beautiful. The city was gorgeous from the vantage point of the river.
6-26-10 The Celebrity Yacht on the Potomac
On Sunday, June 27, 2010, I signed books again at the ABC-Clio booth. I also had the great fortune of meeting Teresa Taylor who is at a DOD (Department of Defense) school in Italy. Teresa wants me to visit her school in Italy! Oh yeah! Here I am with Teresa and her friends. What great people! (Thank you to Donald, Teresa’s husband, for taking the picture!)
6-27-10 Gorgeous Gals of ALA - (L-R) Dianne, Teresa, Susan & BJ
On Sunday night, it was the night of the Newbery/Caldecott Award Banquet. What an event! There were lots of authors, publishers, editors, librarians, and book lovers. The banquet was packed. I rode to the affair with my lovely roommate, children’s book author & illustrator, Katie Davis and Brian & Beth Jackson. I visited Beth’s school in Athens, Georgia in April. Look at us!
6-27-10 At the Caldecott-Newbery Banquet (L-R) - Beth Jackson, Brian Jackson, Dianne de Las Casas & Katie Davis
Here I am with Michelle Knudsen, the author of Library Lion and many other books. Michelle and I presented at the Savannah Children’s Book Festival together a couple of years ago. She is so pretty!
6-27-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Michelle Knudsen (Author of Library Lion)
The ceremony was great. I really enjoyed the speeches, especially the one by Jerry Pinkney who won the Caldecott Medal for his book, The Lion and the Mouse. Rebecca Stead won the Newbery for her book, When You Reach Me. Look at this gorgeous program Jerry Pinkney designed! It’s really spectacular!
6-27-10 The Caldecott-Newbery program designed by Caldecott Winner, Jerry Pinkney
Here I am with my friend, Allison Roberts, who is a school librarian in Tennessee. I love see all my friends glammed up!
6-27-10 Allison Roberts from Tennessee & Dianne de Las Casas
This gentleman is Jim Averbeck, Author of In a Blue Room. He’s sweet and fun to be around, not to mention he’s nice to look at. 
6-27-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Children's Book Author Jim Averbeck
On my last day in Washington, D.C., I attended the International Association of School Librarians Luncheon. The speaker was none other than Sharon Coatney, my wonderful editor at Libraries Unlimited. Sharon spoke about the many faces of school librarian leadership.
6-28-10 Sharon Coatney (my editor at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited) speaks at the International Association of School Librarians luncheon
ALA was a great conference and I made so many wonderful connections. I look forward to the next conference, which will be in… NEW ORLEANS! Woo hoo! I can’t wait!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
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