story time

GIGANTIC book launch of Gigantic Sweet Potato at Barnes & Noble Citiplace, Baton Rouge, LA – Friday, October 22, 2010

by dlcasas on October 25, 2010

10-22-10 The sign outside Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge

Friends:

The day finally arrived! It was our GIGANTIC Baton Rouge book launch of The Gigantic Sweet Potato, my new book illustrated by the incomparable Marita Gentry. Barnes & Noble was ready! There was signage everywhere. The stage area in the children’s section was cleared and my books were set up. Wow!

10-22-10 Look at all of my books lined up behind me! Too cool!

As has become our “signature” method, Marita and I performed the story together. She illustrated while I told the story with rousing audience participation.

10-22-10 Marita Gentry draws Ma Farmer in The Gigantic Sweet Potato

It was amazing to see the story come together and we had sooooo much fun!

10-22-10 Kids from the audience participate in the story and help pull The Gigantic Sweet Potato

What amazes me about Marita is how fast she can draw! And the characters always look consistent! Here’s the really cool part… when the drawings from The Gigantic Sweet Potato are lined up, they form a scene in the book where everyone helps pull up the sweet potato!

10-22-10 When the drawings line up, they form a page in the book of everyone pulling The Gigantic Sweet Potato! Marita is sooo clever!

Afterward, we gave away fun prizes and the kids got to make Sweet Potato Pals!

10-22-10 Lainie creates a perfect Sweet Potato Pal!

Then it was time to sign books, drawings and posters. We had an eager, patient crowd.

10-22-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Marita Gentry sign books, drawings, posters and meet and greet their fans

The really cool part is that the staff of Barnes & Noble dressed up as farmers to promote the event! How awesome is that?!!

10-22-10 Dianne and Marita pose with the staff of Barnes & Noble, all dressed like farmers! Yee haw!

Abby Hannie, the Community Relations Manager, orchestrated this fabulous idea!! Yay, Abby!! I just LOVE Barnes & Noble Citiplace!

10-22-10 Abby Hannie, B&N CRM with her cute daughters! Oops, we lost one under the farmer's hat...

We have the best booksellers and we have the best fans ever!!

10-22-10 Dianne, Marita and Alyson Guidry, a long time fan and friend!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported Marita and me. We had the best time!! I look forward to my next event at Barnes & Noble Citiplace!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Craft: Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach Puppets

by dlcasas on July 28, 2009

Madame Poulet, Monsieur Roach & Friends puppets w Dianne

Madame Poulet, Monsieur Roach & Friends puppets w Dianne

Friends:

To accompany our newest book, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach, Marita Gentry (illustrator) and I have created printable puppets you can use to enhance story time! Here is the link where you can print the puppets – http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet. The puppets came out so cute. Here are the instructions.

Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach puppets (other roaches are hiding behind Madame Poulet's back)

Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach puppets (other roaches are hiding behind Madame Poulet's back)

Madame Poulet chicken puppet

Materials:
Madame Poulet puppet pattern
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet
Small paper plate
Jumbo craft stick
Construction paper in four colors

Directions:
Cut Madame Poulet from the pattern provided. Don’t forget her feet. Trace a child or adult’s hand on four different colored sheets of construction paper. Cut out the hands. Glue the chicken to the paper plate. Glue the jumbo craft stick to the back of the paper plate (bottom of the chicken). Glue the chicken feet to the bottom of the chicken. Position hands behind the chicken’s head and attach with glue, creating feathers. Done!

Madame Poulet, Monsieur Roach & Friends puppets

Madame Poulet, Monsieur Roach & Friends puppets

Monsieur Roach & Friends Puppets

Materials:
Monsieur Roach & Friends puppet pattern
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=madamePoulet
Card stock
Black glove (you may use any inexpensive dark glove – gardening gloves work well)
Chenille sticks in blue, red, orange, yellow and green (2 sticks each color)
Hole punch
Hot glue

Directions:

Print out the roaches on card stock. Cut out the roaches. Punch holes where the dots indicate on each roach, being careful not to get too close to the edge of the roach. Create antennae, arms and legs, threading the chenille through the holes. Curl antennae by wrapping the chenille around your finger or a pencil. Hot glue roaches to the glove. The largest roach, Monsieur Roach, is blue and brown and should be glued to the thumb of the glove.

Alternatively, you may also glue each of the roaches to small craft sticks so that the roaches could be played by multiple children or adults.

Find the puppet script here!
http://www.storyconnection.net/activities/mpmr/MadamePoulet_MonsieurRoachPuppetTheaterScript.pdf

Watch the book trailer here!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=videos

As Monsieur Roach says, “Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!”

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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