The Gigantic Sweet Potato Book Cover

THE GIGANTIC SWEET POTATO
Author: de las Casas, Dianne
Illustrator: Gentry, Marita

Review Date: September 1, 2010
Publisher:Pelican
Pages: 32
Price ( Hardback ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
ISBN ( Hardback ): 978-1-58980-755-6
Category: Picture Books

As soon as she feels a hankering for sweet-potato pie, Ma Farmer knows what to add to her excellent vegetable garden. Colorful watercolors accompany the rhythmic text and add a touch of foreshadowing; the indomitable mouse that eventually solves the problem close at hand appears early to watch the goings-on. Based on the Russian folktale “The Giant Turnip,” this lighthearted story stars Ma rather than Pa as the gardener and traces the growth of the sweet potato from farmer’s market to kitchen jar, then through planting, watering and growth. When it’s time to harvest, the fun begins, as Ma Farmer enlists Pa and a variety of farmyard animals to help when the potato remains resolutely rooted underground. Children will happily join in with the repetitive, cumulative text and enjoy the satisfying end, which naturally features sweet-potato pie (and a recipe for it). A nice tie-in to school- or home-based gardening projects, this tasty selection is a solid interpretation of the classic tale, with appealing pictures and a strong female character. (Picture book/folktale. 3-7)

8-23-10 Eliana is Rapunzel in the Library's Castle

Friends:

Being at home and not traveling has given me this sense of “nesting.” I love my home and enjoy cooking and cozying up with a good book. But then there’s sometimes “too much of a good thing.” Last week, I was terribly sick, sneezing, wheezing, snuffling and puffling on my inhaler. I was in bed most of the time and read lots of books but I did not venture outside the entire week. I was feeling a little (a lot) claustrophobic and in need of a new environment. So I decided to recharge my creative battery at my local library!

I have fond memories of the West Bank Regional Library in Jefferson Parish. It’s the library that began my career as a storyteller. It’s the library that reignited my passion for writing children’s books. It’s the library that provided me with books that taught me the art of storytelling and children’s book publishing.

Well, the library suffered major damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The library fell in disrepair and she slumped under roof leaks and itched with a moldy rash. Imagine my surprise when yesterday, I walked into the “new” library, fresh from renovation. She stands tall and proud, boasting new furniture, a better-organized floor plan, and free Wifi. She has an air of vibrancy she never projected post-Katrina. There are multiple outlets for laptops and other electronic devices. And there are cool self check-out machines. The children’s area is pretty with colorful chairs and tables and a magnificent two-story castle! Eliana loved it and climbed to the top, pretending to be “Rapunzel.”

8-23-10 My books at my local library!

I even found my picture books at the library! To think that ten years ago, I gazed wistfully at the shelves, hoping one day that my books would be found next to “Tomie dePaola.” And today, it is a reality (de Las Casas is indeed next to dePaola).

I couldn’t think of a better place to work and do the final edits to my upcoming book, There’s a Dragon in the Library (Pelican Publishing, Spring 2010). There’s a castle in the library in my book and there’s a REAL castle in my local library! How fitting and serendipitous, I think. My book’s life began in a library and continues its life in the library. So for the past couple of days, I lounged at the library, loving the stacks. I even checked out a couple of books (okay 10 if you want to get technical).

Libraries are still wonderfully magical to me…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-10-10 Dianne de Las Casas & Holly Stone-Barker perform Mama's Bayou at Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge on Perkins Road

Friends:

This past Saturday, Holly Stone-Barker and I signed copies of our book, Mama’s Bayou at the new Barnes & Noble store on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I performed the story with the help of the kids. The children placed the magnets on our giant story time magnet board, which replicates a page in our book.

7-10-10 The children place the animals on the Mama's Bayou story time magnet board

Then after the performance, Holly demonstrated her cut paper and collage art, creating a dragonfly. We gave the dragonflies away to the audience, along with a goody bag. Then we headed to the front of the store to sign books. Carron Fillingim, the Community Relations Manger, was so sweet and fun. I look forward to working with her again!

7-10-10 Holly demonstrates a cut paper and collage dragonfly

More book signings are coming up this Fall. The Gigantic Sweet Potato illustrated by Marita Gentry is coming in September!

Keep checking my schedule and join my Facebook Fan Page for updates. http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-9-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl at the Olla Cultural Center

Friends:

Eliana and I ended our summer tour in Lasalle Parish, another of our favorite library systems. We go there every year. Andrea Book and Donna Estis have become close friends. I adore those women! Our first show was at the Olla Cultural Center. It’s a great space because it’s made for performances and it has space to accommodate a small crowd. Of course, we had a ton of fun!

7-9-10 Audience members learn to use poi balls at the Olla Cultural Center

Our last show was at the main library in Jena, Louisiana. It was great to see fans who come to our show every year. We love coming to Lasalle Parish! Besides the great people, we also love shopping at the Caboose!

7-9-10 Everyone dances the Hukilau in the show's finale, Lasalle Parish Library in Jena, Louisiana

It was another great summer in Louisiana Libraries! Eliana and I say “Mahalo!” (Thank you) and “Aloha!” (Farewell).

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

7-7-10 Audience members are Three Strong Brothers in the story, Maui Tames the Sun

Friends:

Eliana and I had a blast touring in Iberville Parish Libraries, one of our favorite library systems. Everyone there is so sweet! Our first show was at the main library in Plaquemine, Louisiana. We had a lot of kids from Kid Camp at our show and they really enjoyed the Hula! Thank you so much to Danny and Anne for inviting us back to the library every year!

7-7-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the main library in Plaquemine

Our second show was at the branch library in White Castle, Louisiana, home of Nottoway Plantation.

7-7-10 Dianne demonstrate puilis at White Castle Branch Library

We had a nice crowd and the kids were great participants in the show. Kitty Wood, the branch manager, is always so welcoming.

7-7-10 The audience learns to dance The Hukilau at White Castle Branch Library

On our second day in Iberville Parish, we went to the East Iberville Branch Library in St. Gabriel. Eliana and I missed the ferry by 1 minute and had to wait a half hour to cross the river. Fortunately, we arrived on time and set up just in time to welcome a huge group of day camp kids.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

They enjoyed participating in the show and had a great time.

7-8-10 East Iberville Library is packed with kids! Yay!

Our last show was in Grosse Tete/Rosedale at the Lion’s Club. We had a cozy crowd who really got into the show, especially when Eliana danced her fast-moving Tahitian!

7-8-10 Eliana dances Tahitian at the Grosse Tete-Rosedale Lion Club

What a fantastic time in Iberville Parish! We can’t wait to return next year! Special thanks to Danny, Anne, Kitty, Lydia, and Brenda for your hospitality. You rock!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-24-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl to a packed house, Winnfield, Louisiana

Friends:

It was a great tour in Winn Parish. Our first show was for a Title I program at a local school in Winnfield, Louisiana. Though the audience was smaller than in past years, they had a great time.

6-23-10 Audience members try to do Poi Balls, Winnfield Title I program

Our second show was in Dodson, Louisiana. The show was held in a high school gym, next door to the library because the library is small. Our brand new CD player stopped working but thankfully, Amy Deen, our fabulous hostess, rescued us and brought one from home.

6-23-10 Instructing audience members how to dance the Hukilau in Dodson, Louisiana

The next day, June 24, we were at the main library in Winnfield, Louisiana in the morning. We had a big crowd and everyone loved the show.

6-24-10 Eliana and Dianne dance The Little Brown Girl to a packed house, Winnfield, Louisiana

They were especially enthralled when Eliana danced Tahitian! Go Eliana!

6-24-10 Eliana dances Tahitian, Winnfield, Louisiana

Our final show in Winn Parish Libraries was at the cozy library in Atlanta, Louisiana. We always have such a warm, enthusiastic crowd there.

6-24-10 Dianne dances Nanakuli with uli ulis in Atlanta, Louisiana

Thank you very much to Amy Deen and Mary Doherty of Winn Parish Libraries. Thank you also to all the fantastic librarians and patrons at all the branches. We had so much fun “splashing” into Summer Reading with you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-17-10 Dianne de Las Casas and Eliana teach the audience The Little Brown Girl Hula

Friends:

This past week, Eliana and I performed in Bienville Parish Libraries. It was fun returning to Bienville. We stayed in Ruston and had the opportunity to shop at one of our favorite stores – The Beehive! Our first show on June 17 was at the main library in Arcadia. It was packed!

6-17-10 A packed library in Arcadia, Louisiana!

Both the children and the grown-ups enjoyed the show, full of audience participation. We love seeing the landmarks in Bienville, like the tall cowboy and Bryceland “Mall.” LOL

6-18-10 In Bienville Parish, the Bryceland Mall

Our second show on June 17 was at the Ringgold Branch Library. The programs are held in a meeting room and it got quite packed. There were about 80 kids in that room! It’s really great to see the community come out to the library to support summer reading!

6-17-10 Wall-to-wall kids at the Ringgold Branch Library

We had so much fun sharing Polynesian culture with the children from Ringgold. One of the library patrons told me that when she found out I was coming, she had my new book, Mama’s Bayou, Fedexed to her so I could sign it for her. She didn’t want to take the chance that I might have run out of books. Isn’t that sweet?!!

6-17-10 Eliana performs Tahitian at the Ringgold Branch Library

On June 18, 2010, our first show was at the Castor Branch library. It’s a new branch library and the space we had was very tight but we made it work. Everyone enjoyed the program.

6-18-10 Doing the finale of our show, teaching Hukilau at the Castor Branch Library

Our last show in Bienville Parish was at the Saline Branch Library. I love going to this library – I’ve developed quite a fan following in Saline! People were asking me if I had any new CDs! A special thank you to Zachary for helping us pack up our show.

6-18-10 Everyone dances the Hukilau at the Saline Branch Library

Eliana and I had a wonderful time in Bienville Parish. Thank you to Peggy, Sherri, and Jeannie for all your support! And a very special thank you to Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding for making the grant possible. We look forward to returning in 2012!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-9-10 Eliana is such a beauty!

Friends:

On June 9-10, 2010, Eliana and I toured in Natchitoches, Louisiana, promoting the Summer Reading Program, “Splash into Summer! Read!” Our first show was absolutely packed. It was so full that the library had to turn away a group because they wouldn’t fit. It’s a great problem to have though, right? Everyone wants in…

6-9-10 The Nachitoches Parish Library is packed solid for our first show!

Eliana and I began with a Hula called, “The Little Brown Girl.” We taught the Hula moves of the chorus to the audience so they could follow along. We did three shows over the course of two days.

6-9-10 Eliana and I demonstrate the moves for The Little Brown Girl

Then I told the story of “Maui Tames the Sun.” In my third show, I had such fun kids on stage. They really got into their roles and were so great!

6-10-10 Maui and his three strong brother lasso the Sun God

Eliana is always so cute when she dances Tahitian. I love her costume and so does the audience! They always say, “Ooh and aah!”

6-9-10 Eliana comes out in her Tahitian costume

We always end the show with a Hula in which everyone participates. We bring people on stage and no one is immune… LOL Eliana and I teach them “The Hukilau,” a traditional Hawaiian Hula that all children in Hawaii learn.

6-9-10 Yes, I will even solicit help from gentlemen in the audience!

Martha Uchino is the fabulous Children’s Services Coordinator of Natchitoches Parish Library. She brought us in and Martha is so much fun. I only wish we could have spent more time together! Thank you for having us, Martha! Arigato!

6-10-10 Martha Uchino, the Children's Services Coordinator for Natchitoches Parish Library, strikes a pose

After our last show, Eliana and I had time to tour Natchitoches. We ate at Lasyone’s, a restaurant famous for its meat pies. They were so good, we brought frozen ones home!

6-10-10 We dined at Lasyones and ate their famously delicious meat pies!

We shopped at Skippidy Doo Da and took a carriage tour through the town.

6-10-10 Eliana stands by Pat the Horse

Our guide, Nathan, was extremely knowledgeable about the town’s history and even threw in a few extras for me, telling me some of the local ghost lore. We rode in front of the library so I had to snap a photo!

6-10-10 Natchitoches Parish Library

He took us through the historic parts of Natchitoches and we even saw the house where the movie “Steel Magnolias” was filmed. It is now a bed and breakfast that welcomes guests.

6-10-10 The house used in the movie, Steel Magnolias

Eliana and I even saw some Natchitoches oddities! Check out this lawn “ornament!”

6-10-10 A rusted Rhino stands as front yard art at a house in Natchitoches

And this is what adorned the backyard! I felt like I was in the movie, “Jumanji!” hahaha

6-10-10 The coiled serpent is their backyard art

On Front Street in downtown Natchitoches, you can even rent a quadricycle and give yourself a tour through town!

6-10-10 Quadricycles for rent on Front Street in Natchitoches

The river that runs through Natchitoches is so pretty. Natchitoches is a quaint and quiet town during the summer. They are famous for their “Festival of Lights” celebration in December. The town has been featured on HGTV and the Travel Channel. Natchitoches is a charming little town. Stop by and see for yourself… And be sure to check out all the wonderful programs the library puts on every week during the summer!

6-10-10 A bayou runs into the Cane River in Natchitoches

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

6-2-10 Eliana and Dianne give everyone an Aloha greeting

Friends:

Eliana (my ten year old daughter) and I started our summer tour, traveling all over Louisiana and performing in the public libraries promoting Summer Reading. This year, the collaborative Summer Reading theme is “Splash into Summer! Read!” To coincide with the theme, I created my show, “Aloha Tales,” a program of Hawaiian stories, Hula dancing, and Polynesian dancing.

6-2-10 Eliana dances with poi balls

The show begins with Eliana and I dancing a Hula called, “The Little Brown Girl.” Then I tell the story, “How Maui Tames the Sun” with lots of audience participation. There are several quick costume changes and Eliana does quite a bit of talking and dancing! After Eliana and I perform with poi balls, there is a quick change for me and I emerge in a red traditional muu muu. I tell the story of “The Volcano Goddess.”

6-1-10 Dianne de Las Casas tells the story of Pele, the Volcano Goddess

Then comes one of my favorite parts of the show. Eliana emerges in her Tahitian costume, eliciting oohs and ahs from the audience, and dances a traditional Tahitian dance called “Paea.” This is a dance I used to perform as a child!

6-1-10 Eliana dances Tahitian

I then demonstrate puilis, Hula implements that are long slatted sticks made from bamboo. I ask audience members to try the puilis. It’s lots of fun for everyone.

6-3-10 Dianne helps a little girl use puilis

The very end of the show is another one of my favorite parts! We bring audience members up on stage, dress them in grass skirts and flower leis, and teach them how to dance “The Hukilau,” a traditional Hula. I also have the audience stand up, learn the moves, and dance with us. Everyone enjoys it.

6-2-10 Audience members learn how to dance The Hukilau

Eliana and I had a blast in Evangeline Parish. We ate great food, met warm and friendly people, and had fun with all the kids in the libraries. The library system has such a wonderfully supportive community. We look forward to returning one day! I did discover one of my book characters hanging out in Evangeline Parish — it was Madame Poulet!

6-2-10 Dianne finds Madame Poulet in Evangeline Parish

We look forward to seeing you down the road! Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-26-10 Last day in Pattaya. One final view from our hotel room balcony...

Friends:

I enjoyed my stay in Thailand. We stayed at the Discovery Beach Hotel in Pattaya with a gorgeous view of the beach and a great breakfast buffet. Every day was full of fun and adventure.

5-25-10 You see a little bit of everything in Pattaya, Thailand!

I had car service return us to Bangkok, where we flew on Thai Airways back to Manila.

5-26-10 Katrin and Nicole with our luggage at the Bangkok Airport

Our luggage was full of souvenirs and keepsakes! We ate one last Thai meal at the airport before our 3 hour flight.

5-26-10 Sticky sweet coconut rice and mango at a Bangkok airport restaurant

I even enjoyed the gorgeous storied art inside the Bangkok Airport. The Thai have such a beautiful culture! This is Scene of the Churning of the Milk Ocean. The naga (king of the serpents), Vasyki, is curled around the mountain Mandara. Vishnu, incarnated in the form of a great turtle supports the mountain on his back. Devas (demigods) and Asuras (demons) pull on the naga’s body to churn the ocean’s water to create the nectar of immortality, Amrita.

5-26-10 Scene of the Churning of the Sea

Before we arrived in Manila, we were given fresh orchid corsages once again from Thai Airways. So classy. I stayed with my friend, Nicole, at her apartment in Ortigas, Pasig City. Nicole is such a sweetheart!

5-27-10 I did Nicole's makeup. She is so pretty!!

Before I left for the U.S. on Thursday, May 26, 2010, my good friends, Jay Menes and Zarah Gagatiga, came to visit. Zarah is my co-author for the book, Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories.

5-27-10 My friend and co-author, Zarah Gagatiga, visits me on my last day in the Philippines

I had wonderful visits in both the Philippines and Thailand. Both were adventures I will never forget. Thank you to all the people who made my trips special: Meinard Cruz, Zarah Gagatiga, Jay Menes, Team Sagada, Nicole Arda, and my family in the Philippines! Mahal kita!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne