3-12-10 Performing at the Kansas City Plaza Library

Friends:

After a very long, harrowing day of missed connections due to Continental Airline “maintenance” issues, I arrived in Kansas City safe and sound. My hostess, Children’s Book Author Christine Taylor-Butler, picked me up from the airport and brought me to my hotel in the Plaza area of Kansas City. I had time to freshen up, just in time to make it to the library for my storytelling concert and book signing.

It was so much fun! I began with The Cajun Cornbread Boy and then brought children on stage to be “roaches” for my story, Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. They danced and had a blast.

3-12-10 Performing Madame Poulet with children as little roaches on stage

I even had special people in attendance! My editor from ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited, Sharon Coatney; her daughter, Rache; and her grandson, Will. My friend and fellow storyteller, Joyce Slater, also came to the show! Thank you so much!!

I finished with a spooky favorite, “The Ghost of Mabel Gable.” The kids and grown-ups loved it. It has such a funny ending. After the show, I signed books, posters, and bookmarks. I had the sweetest fans!

3-12-10 Signing books and posters after the show

Special thanks to Christine Taylor-Butler for coordinating the event, to April from the Kansas City Plaza Library for hosting the event, to the AV and security staff of the library, and to Sherry, the CRM of the local Barnes & Noble, who handled book sales. I appreciate the opportunity to perform in such a beautiful space in such a fabulous library!

3-12-10 Inside a circle of books at the Kansas City Plaza Library

3-11-10 Author Dianne de Las Casas, Author Johnette Downing & Illustrator Holly Stone-Barker

Friends:

On Thursday, March 11, 2010, I was at the Louisiana Library Association Conference signing books for my publisher, Pelican Publishing Company. First, I signed The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach with Illustrator Marita Gentry.

3-11-10 Signing at LLA with Marita Gentry

Then I signed Mama’s Bayou with Illustrator Holly Stone-Barker.

3-11-10 Signing at LLA with Holly Stone-Barker

I was even lucky enough to hang out with my best friend, children’s musician and author, Johnette Downing. It was a terrific day! Thank you to Caitlin Smith of Pelican Publishing for doing such a marvelous job coordinating it all!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

3-5-10 Dianne teaches the hand motions to Mama's Bayou

Friends:

On Friday, Holly Stone-Barker (illustrator of Mama’s Bayou) and I had a BIG BASH book event to launch our new children’s picture book, Mama’s Bayou. The children’s section of Barnes & Noble was PACKED! Even Marita Gentry, the illustrator of my other children’s books (The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach) attended.

3-5-10 Barnes & Noble children's section is packed with fans!

I sang the story with audience participation while Holly guided the children and helped them place their magnets on the giant magnet board. Then Holly demonstrated her cut paper and collage technique, creating a dragonfly.

3-5-10 Holly demonstrates cut paper and collage, creating a dragonfly

Afterwards, we gave away TONS of prizes – the dragonfly art Holly created, book bags, stuffed gators, a cookie sheet magnet board, and a plush mama and baby frog that was the grand prize. Finally, it was time to sign books. Holly and I were busy the whole time, meeting, greeting and signing.

3-5-10 There is a long line waiting for autographs

We signed so many books that we sold out. There was not a single copy of Mama’s Bayou left on the shelves!

3-5-10 Dianne & Holly sign books and sell out!

It was a fabulous event. Barnes & Noble invited us to do another book signing in the summer! Thank you to our wonderful family, friends, and fans who came to see us and support us! A special thank you to Abby Hannie, Community Relations Manager of Barnes & Noble Citiplace in Baton Rouge and all the helpful staff at the store. You rock the bayou!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-26-10 Telling stories at Bissonet Plaza Elementary Family Literacy Night 1-26-10

Friends:

Tonight I was the featured author at Bissonet Plaza Elementary’s Saint-sational Family Literacy Night. I performed stories, sang, promoted reading, and signed books. My first story was Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. The students loved the story and really participated. It was so much fun to tell it to the Bissonet students because I have been their storyteller/author-in-residence every year (for 9 years) and the students know and love me. Of course, I love them right back!

1-26-10 Telling Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach

By request, I also told The Cajun Cornbread Boy. I don’t know who loved it more – the kids or the grown-ups! The students sang and participated in all the story’s motions. It was so much fun! Just look at these students blowing raspberries! LOL

1-26-10 Students participating in the story, The Cajun Cornbread Boy

After my performance, I signed books. I enjoyed being at one of my favorite schools around. A special thank you to Ellen Miller, who coordinated the event and invited me as their honored guest. Another special thank you to my sweet daughter, Eliana, who was my assistant and pro photographer!

Remember the magic number, Bissonet students… 20! Read 20 minutes a day to strengthen your thinking muscle!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

1-19-10 Performing for Quitman Lower Elementary 1st & 2nd grades

Friends:

Today I had the privilege of doing a school visit and a professional development workshop for Quitman Lower Elementary in Quitman, MS.

Angie Ledbetter, the Assistant Principal, was my contact person. My GPS misguided me to the wrong side of town and I called Angie on her cell phone in a panic. She was sweet and guided me in and greeted me upon my arrival. She told me that Carol Satterfield, a teacher and big “Fan of Dianne,” drove all the way from North Mississippi to see me and was spending the day at the school. How cool is that?!

Right before my first show, the Principal, Mr. Bounds, greeted me, welcomed me to the school, and introduced me to the students. I performed 2 shows. The first show was for pre-K and K. The second was for 1st and 2nd grades. It was so much fun and the students had a blast!

After my second show, Angie and another teacher, Tootsie, took me to lunch. We ate at a local restaurant, Skidmore’s Old Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill. They served delicious hot plates. I had fried chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese, green beans and peach cobbler. Talk about a Southern cooked meal!

1-19-10 Skidmore's Ole Tyme Butcher Shop and Grill in Quitman, MS

Lunch was so much fun. We laughed and laughed. Everyone that walked in the door could have been a book character! When we were finished eating, Tootsie said, “Now we have to clean our table and scrape off our plates.” It was like a flashback to junior high. So I took my dishes to the slop bucket and scraped off my plate. There was a big sign above the table where the bin for the dirty dishes was. It said, “Please do not throw your metal forks into the trash.”

Then Tootsie told me to read the fine print. Underneath that it said, “Throw away your spit cup please.” I’m not making this up! Better be careful… The white styrofoam cup you think is your drink might actually be someone’s spit cup! Eeeew. Of course, I HAD to take a picture!

1-19-10 Throw away your spit cup sign in Ole Tyme Butcher Shop restaurant in Quitman, MS

After lunch, we went back to school and I took a tour down the halls. The schools is one that really works to integrate the arts and the walls show it! There was art everywhere!

1-19-10 Students study Pointillism at Quitman Lower Elementary

A “Learning is Fun” attitude permeates the school’s atmosphere, from the administration to the staff to students. Quitman Lower Elementary’s teachers are enthusiastic and committed to their classrooms.

1-19-10 Learning is Fun mural in Quitman Lower Elementary

In the afternoon, the teachers came into the multipurpose room for my Story Fest workshop. It was so much fun sharing my signature story theater techniques with them. They were such great participants!

1-19-10 Teachers in Story Fest Workshop portraying a monkey swinging in the trees

They really embraced the story theater warm-up exercises, including Mr. Bounds, the school’s principal!

1-19-10 Mr. Bounds, Quitman Lower Elementary Principal, plays an old woman

I enjoyed their energy and willingness to step out of their comfort zones.

1-19-10 A lion and lioness coming out of a cave

When we were finished with the warm-up exercises, I divided the group in half and they created their own story theater. One group performed “The Turtle Who Could Not Stop Talking.”

The other group performed my brand new story theater script, adapted from my new book, Mama’s Bayou.

1-19-10 Teachers performing Mama's Bayou Story Theater

Afterwards, I signed tons of books and gave all the teachers reading posters. Every student received bookmarks. I really enjoyed my day at Quitman Lower Elementary. Thank you so much, Angie Ledbetter, for inviting me to Quitman. I love you and your school!

Tomorrow, I spend the day at Quitman Upper Elementary. Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-18-09 Performing Santa's Stuck for third grade

It was my last day of my Handmade Tales residency with Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. My first order of business was to stuff the classroom teachers’ mail boxes with my books, The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. It was all arranged by Ellen Miller, the librarian. Thank you, Ellen!

12-18-09 Copies of The Cajun Cornbread Boy and Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach in the teachers' boxes

In the morning, I was able to watch the school play put on by the third grade and some drama students from 4th and 5th grade. It was awesome! They are so talented!

12-18-09 The Bissonet Christmas Play main characters

Then it was on to tell stories to all the grades during their P.E. period. I decided to do a holiday program since it was the week before Christmas. I told some new stories, including “The House That Santa Built,” which turned out to be such a good story!

12-18-09 Telling Pre-K students The House that Santa Built

I really enjoyed telling stories to the students. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Bissonet Plaza Elementary! Thank you for another wonderful year! Enjoy the holidays!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-17-09 5th graders make string figures

Friends:

Today was a big day at Bissonet Plaza Elementary. It was the 9th day of my Handmade Tales residency and my 3rd through 5th grade classes performed in a grade level Story Fest celebration. I saw all of the grades during their P.E. period. First was 5th grade. Ms. Brumfield’s class performed “The Pesky Skeeter” with string.

12-17-09 Ms. Brumfield's 5th graders perform The Pesky Skeeter with string

Then students from Mr. Joyce’s class performed the draw and tell story of “The Emperor’s Drazgon.”

12-17-09 Students from Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class perform The Emperor's Dragon

Last but not least, Ms. McLeod’s class performed “The Magic Star,” a cut and tell tale. I was so proud of this class because my storyteller from this group told the story without a script! It was such a pleasure to teach 5th grade this year! They were such a delightful group of students. To reward their hard work, I gave all the students string and taught them the double star string figure. Yay 5th grade!

12-17-09 Ms. McLeod's 5th graders perform The Magic Star

After a planning period break, pre-K came in. I told them the story of “The Mouse’s Wedding” and they loved the story with the little mice made of bandanas.

12-17-09 Performing The Mouse's Wedding for Pre-K

3rd grade was a lot of fun. They did a great job performing their stories. Ms. Fury’s class performed “The Girl Who Used Her Wits,” a cut and fold tale.

12-17-09 Students from Ms. Fury's 3rd grade class perform The Girl Who Used Her Wits

Mr. Boone’s 3rd grade class performed “Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle,” a story that needs nothing more than your hands to tell the tale! Ms. Arnett’s class had two students to represent them. They told the cut and tell story of “Papa’s Teepee.” Alex, the storyteller, forgot his script and I didn’t have a copy so he told the story from memory! He did an absolutely magnificent job. I was completely impressed. It wasn’t just a couple of lines. It was the entire story!

12-17-09 Dianne with students from Ms. Arnette's 3rd grade class who performed Papa's Teepee

Ms. Frechette’s 3rd graders performed “The Ugly Duckling” with towels. It was precious!

12-17-09 Ms. Frechette's 3rd graders perform The Ugly Duckling

Eliana, my 9 year old daughter, came with me. She comes to Bissonet every year for one day and the students love her! She was such a big help! In fact, she took almost all the pictures I am using in this blog! She helped me with some draw and tell tales and even told stories by herself! Definitely a storyteller’s daughter! I love you, Eliana! Thank you for everything!

12-17-09 Dianne's daughter, Eliana, draws Pile It on the Pie a Mile High

Here is Eliana telling “Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle” while I demonstrate the story.

12-17-09 Eliana tells the story of Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle while Dianne demonstrates

With Kindergarten through 2nd grade, I told stories including “The Mouse’s Wedding,” a handkerchief tale.

12-17-09 Performing The Mouse's Wedding for 2nd grade

I even taught the 2nd graders a partner game from Singapore called “The Pearl.”

12-17-09 2nd graders learn a partner game from Singapore

Unfortunately, I missed taking pictures of 4th grade because all the cameras we brought (3 of them!) either ran out of memory (from the videos we took) or ran out of battery and I didn’t have the charger! I am so sad!! But my 4th graders did a PHENOMENAL job, especially Ms. Morrow’s class who put their all into their performance. I was awesome!!

12-17-09 Dianne performs for kindergarten

Tomorrow is my last day at Bissonet. I will be performing a holiday show for all the grades!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-16-09 Ms. Morales' 4th grade class turns April showers into May flowers

Friends:

It was my 8th day of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. In the morning, I went into the teacher’s lounge and left them a big surprise. I decorated the lounge for Christmas with table runners and centerpieces. I also gave the teachers and staff a huge basket filled with gourmet coffee, syrups, tea, cocoa, chocolate, cookies and other treats. The school recently redecorated their lounge in rich colors of dark chocolate, red, and caramel. They call it “Cafe’ Bissonet.” So I themed my gift to go with their new cafe’.

12-16-09 Office staff, Donna & Tammy, with the basket of goodies Dianne made for Cafe' Bissonet

My instructional day began in 4th grade with Ms. Morales’ class. After creating books from the story, “The King’s Advisor,” we rehearsed their story, “April Showers,” for their performance on Thursday. They did a great job. There are so many creative students in this class!

12-16-09 A student in Ms. Morales' 4th grade class with his flower from the story, April Showers

After that, I had a break and got to visit with my best friend, Author & Children’s Musician Johnette Downing, who performed for the lower grades. Johnette and I rarely see each other because of our hectic schedules so it was so nice to see her again! I love you, Johnette!

12-16-09 Dianne de Las Casas with her best friend, Johnette Downing

My next class was Ms. Lemoine’s 1st grade class. I told “The Stubborn Turnip” with string and they loved the story. Then we made the 6 page books from the story, “The King’s Advisor.”

12-16-09 Telling stories in Ms. Lemoine's 1st grade class

In Ms. Vizzini’s 2nd grade class, they listened to “The Stubborn Turnip” and were awed by the trick in the string story. Afterward, we made 6 page books from a single sheet of paper. They wrote such cute little stories in their books.

12-16-09 A student in Ms. Vizzini's 2nd grade class creates a book

In Mr. Boone’s 3rd grade class, we made the 6 page books after I told the story “The King’s Advisor.”

12-16-09 Instructing students in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class

Then we rehearsed their story, “Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle” for their performance on Thursday.

12-16-09 Rehearsing Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle with students in Mr. Boone's 3rd grade class

My last class was Pre-K. I told “Going on an Elf Hunt” and the story came out so cute!

12-16-09 Telling stories in Pre-K

Later that night, I went to the Bissonet Faculty and Staff Christmas party at Seymour’s in Harahan. I had a blast hanging out with all the teachers and staff of Bissonet! Thank you for inviting me, Nancy Morales (4th grade teacher)! You rock!

12-16-09 Paula Naugle, 4th grade teacher, and Dianne de Las Casas at the Bissonet Christmas Party

Another great day at Bissonet!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class rehearses their story, The Frog and the Ox

Friends:

Today was Day 7 of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, LA. My day began in 4th grade, in Ms. Morrow’s class. They had a surprise for me. They are performing the handmade tale, “The Frog and the Ox.” They created a jazzed up rap and dance for the chorus. They were gettin’ down! Word! It was so awesome!

12-15-09 Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class chorus gets down!

They created books from my story, “The King’s Advisor.” Some of the student got very creative. I love this book… inspired by the book, Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl. Thank you!

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Morrow's 4th grade class writes a book in my honor!

Then I headed to Ms. Tonguis’ 1st grade class. We had so much fun with my string story, “The Stubborn Turnip.” They also loved the draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Tonguis' 1st grade class draws a dragon

After first grade, I hopped over to Ms. Anchissi’s Kindergarten class. They enjoyed the story of “The Stubborn Turnip.”

12-15-09 Telling The Stubborn Turnip string story in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class

After, we did “The King’s Advisor” and made the 6 page book from the story. Then, they became authors and illustrators.

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Anchissi's Kindergarten class creates a Christmas book

Ms. Chieffo’s 2nd grade class was next. They were excited to see me. I told them the story of “The Stubborn Turnip” and they were very participatory. Then we made 6 page books out of a single sheet of paper from my story, “The King’s Advisor.”

12-15-09 A Student in Ms. Chieffo's 2nd grade class creates a book about outer space

Ms. Frechette’s 3rd grade class was next. After creating the book out of a single sheet of paper, they rehearsed their story for the Handmade Tales gradewide performances on Thursday. Their story is “The Ugly Duckling.” The main cast did a great job telling and demonstrating the story. The chorus was also fun to watch as they rapped and danced their parts. Way to go, Ms. Frechette’s 3rd graders. You totally rocked today!

12-15-09 Students in Ms. Frechette's 3rd grade class rehearse their story, The Ugly Duckling

My last class was Mr. Joyce’s 5th grade class. They were a great group and I had fun teaching them how to make Russian nesting dolls out of paper. They created all kinds of cool characters.

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates characters from paper nesting dolls

Check out these robots!

12-15-09 A Student in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class creates a trio of robots from paper nesting dolls

Then they breezed through their rehearsal of “The Emperor’s Dragon” draw and tell story. It’s going to be so wonderful to see them perform! I just love this year’s group of 5th graders! They are so excited to learn, do and perform.

12-15-09 Students in Mr. Joyce's 5th grade class perform the story, The Emperor's Dragon

Another fun day at Bissonet!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

12-14-09 Dianne creates a Mardi Gras star from string

Friends:

Today was the 6th day of my Handmade Tales residency at Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie, Louisiana. My first visit was to Ms. Naugle’s 4th grade class. Unfortunately, Ms. Naugle had to run out for a meeting but the class and I had a great time. They created books from the story, “The King’s Advisor” then we rehearsed “Bandana Man” for their performance on Thursday.

12-14-09 Ms. Naugle's 4th graders make Bandana Man and rehearse for their performance

My second class was Ms. Bonnano’s 1st grade class. They enjoyed the string story, “The Stubborn Turnip” and the cut and tell story of “The King’s Advisor.” They created their books, becoming authors and illustrators.

12-14-09 Ms. Bonnano's 1st graders create books and become authors and illustrators

It was then on to Ms. Johnson’s Kindergarten class. They were awaiting my arrival with eager anticipation. I told my string story and even made a star for them. They loved it.

12-14-09 Dianne makes a star in Ms. Johnson's Kindergarten class

After, I shared “The King’s Advisor” and we created the books from the story. They were so enthusiastic about creating their books, drawing winter and holiday illustrations such as snowmen.

12-14-09 Ms. Johnson's kindergarteners create books

Ms. Leblanc’s 2nd grade class enjoyed the string story too. They created their books and had a blast, becoming authors and illustrators in their little 6 page books made from a single sheet of paper without cutting the paper apart.

12-14-09 A student in Ms. Leblanc's 2nd grade class works on writing her book

Ms. Fury’s 3rd grade class was next. After doing “The King’s Advisor,” we rehearsed their story, “The Girl Who Used her Wits,” for their performance on Thursday. They did a great job.

12-14-09 Students in Ms. Fury's 3rd grade rehearse The Girl Who Used Her Wits

Ms. Brumfield’s class was my last class of the day. I told the string story, “The Stubborn Turnip,” since they were working with string. 16 students mastered the mosquito string figure for the story, “The Pesky Skeeter,” so I rewarded them by letting them keep their strings.

12-14-09 Ms. Brumfield's 5th graders master the mosquito string figure

Afterward, I also taught them a new string figure, the double star. They were so excited!

12-14-09 Students in Ms. Brumfield's 5th grade class create the star string figure

Another great day at a great school! Thank you Bissonet teachers and students!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne