Friends:

Over the weekend, I had book signings at Sam’s Clubs in Metairie, Harvey, and Slidell. I even had fans and friends come out to see me! Yay, Belinda Meliezer!

I made new friends too. Hi Amber and Messiah!

Great meeting Jaxon in Slidell too. His mom to me he’s been reading Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach so he can take it to school and share it with his class. Way to go, Jaxon!

Thanks for visiting me at my Sam’s Clubs book signings.

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

5-14-11 Signing books at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, LA for the St. Clement of Rome School book fair. Love The Cajun Cornbread Boy Artwork on the wall!

Friends:

On Saturday afternoon, I had a book event at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, Louisiana. It was a celebration of The Cajun Cornbread Boy.

5-14-11 The sign!

St. Clement of Rome School had a big crowd! They created wonderful artwork that adorned the wall behind the stage in the children’s section. I performed the story and we had a great time! Afterwards, I taught the kids how to make The Cajun Cornbread Boy’s Louisiana Cookbook, turning a single sheet of paper into a six-page book. Then they designed their own Cajun Cornbread Boy!

5-14-11 A fan designs her own Cajun Cornbread Boy!

Here is a fan who was caught reading! I love these moments when kids are full immersed in a book and the world around them ceases to exist… it’s magic!

5-14-11 Caught Reading! Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach at Barnes & Noble, Metairie, LA

Thank you, Barnes & Noble Metairie and St. Clement of Rome School! I had a ton of fun!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

5-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas signing books with Pelican at IRA 2011 in Orlando, FL

Friends:

This past week, I was in Orlando, Florida for the 2011 International Reading Association Conference. About 10,000 educators converged at the convention center for professional development, resources, and access to authors!

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas with a Filipina teacher at IRA 2011 in Orlando, FL

Even I had author fever! Here I am with the amazing team of Henry Cole and Lester Laminack, creators of the picture book, Three Hens and a Peacock. Henry is also the illustrator for the Big Chickens Go to Town books by Leslie Helakowski and a book he wrote, A Nest for Celeste, set in Louisiana.

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas with Illustrator Henry Cole and Author Lester Laminack at the Peachtree Booth

I even ran into one of my favorite book monkeys… Curious George! He gave me a free book too! Cool!

5-9-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Curious George!

On Day 2 of the conference, I signed books with Pelican Publishing. Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach proved extremely popular and it sold out! I met lots of incredible teachers who were sooo sweet!

5-10-11 Dianne de Las Casas and a sweet teacher at IRA

I made some wonderful new friends including a group from the Flagler School District in Florida. Becky Rich Ellis became my new BFF. We went to dinner and even hung out! We had drinks with my close friend and amazing YA author Ellen Hopkins (Crank, Burned, Glass, Identical), Toni DiTerlizzi (The Spiderwick Chronicles), Angela DiTerlizzi (Say What?) Justin Chanda (Publisher, Simon & Schuster), and Brandon Mull (The Fablehaven series). I can’t believe I didn’t remember to take pictures, especially with my friend, Ellen!! Sadness. But I did get an awesome picture with Becky. Happiness!

5-11-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Becky Ellis from Bunnell, FL

IRA 2011 was a great conference and I am looking forward to next year’s conference in Chicago!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

The Cajun Cornbread Boy Bulletin Board by Nikki Norvell's Class at Central Park Elementary in Bossier City, LA

Friends:

A couple of weeks ago, Central Park Elementary in Bossier City was celebrating children’s literature. They had a bulletin board contest. Ms. Nikki Norvell’s Pre-K class chose my book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy illustrated by Marita Gentry. The students drew Cajun Cornbread Boy artwork and decorated a gorgeous bulletin board. Guess what?! They won first place!! Woo hoo!

Cajun Cornbread Boy Bulletin Board by Nikki Norvell's Pre-K class wins first place

Ms. Norvell and her class will receive a package from me full of Cajun Cornbread Boy goodies just for sending me the pictures and putting forth so much effort!! Ooh yeah, cher!

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

4-29-11 Cajun Cornbread Boy and I get ready to sign books

Friends:

On Friday, I had a book signing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As I was walking to the Book Tent, I spotted the Royal Couple! Imagine that… William and Kate spending their honeymoon in New Orleans at the Jazzfest! New Orleans is a fun and romantic city!

4-29-11 The Royal Couple, William and Kate, honeymoon at Jazzfest in New Orleans just hours after their incredible wedding in London.

My book signing was at the Book Tent run by Garden District Book Shop. There’s no mistaking this tent…

4-29-11 It's the Book Tent!

My friend, fellow children’s book author, Denise McConduit, was there signing books. She is such a cutie pie and oh so sweet!!

4-29-11 Denise McConduit is a cutie pie signing her DJ books

I had some time before I signed books so I had to scope out the food scene.

4-29-11 Amazing panoramic view of the food stands. YUM!

I ended up with jalapeno sausage bread and mango freeze. Talk about tasty! I live for the mango freeze at Jazzfest! It’s almost worth going to the festival just for the food!

4-29-11 Jalapeno sausage bread and mango freeze, a perfect Jazzfest meal!

But of course, the entertainment is top notch. Large acts are balanced with incredible local acts, peppered throughout the fest on various stages. Here I am with renowned jazz musicians Irvin Mayfield and Bill Summers. If you want to hear unbelievable jazz fusion, look no further… Irvin has a new book out called A Love Letter to New Orleans. Along with anecdotal stories, it comes with a music CD. What a great gift!

4-29-11 It's Irvin Mayfield (L) and Bill Summers (R) from Los Hombres Calientes, true New Orleans jazz fusion music!

Then there’s the folk arts and crafts. You can find some pretty incredible art at Jazzfest. I sooo want this Pelican. It’s handblown glass and a cool $550. What a showpiece!

4-29-11 A gorgeous hand-blown glass pelican in the Folk Crafts Market

On my way out, I had to pass in front of the Congo Square stage. What a treat to listen to Wyclef Jean and the Refugees!

4-29-11 Wyclef Jean and the Refugees rock the Congo Square Stage

The weather was perfect – there was not a cloud in the sky. Though festival goers heated up the fairgrounds, there was a light breeze to cool everyone off. It was one of the most perfect Jazzfest days I have ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot!

Yet another reason to love New Orleans! Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

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

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas at TLA with Dewey the Dragon from There's A Dragon in the Library

Friends:

Last week, I signed books at the Texas Library Association conference with my children’s book publisher, Pelican Publishing Company, and my professional book publisher, Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-Clio.

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas signs books at ABC-Clio Libraries Unlimited at TLA

I went to the conference with Marita Gentry, illustrator of several of my children’s books. We have a new book out this Spring, There’s A Dragon in the Library, and it went over very well at the conference!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas pose with TX librarians at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to at the conference because I was constantly signing books. I had a back-to-back, packed schedule with both of my publishers.

4-13-11 Dianne de Las Casas, Dewey the Dragon and Nina Fancher at TLA

Marita and I had a fabulous time. I love the fact that our new book gave us an excuse to wear tiaras because of its fairytale theme. The tiaras and Dewey the Dragon stole the show!

4-13-11 Marita Gentry and Dianne de Las Casas signing books at the Pelican Publishing Booth at TLA

This year I didn’t get many pictures with author friends! I got to hug Phil Bildner and say hi to my Texas storytelling friends. Lucky me, when I went to dinner at Guero’s with my phenomenal team at Pelican Publishing (thank you Caitlin and John), I also got to dine with the fabulous children’s book team of Jan Peck and David Davis. We ran into Jeanette Larson and Melanie Hope Greenberg and they joined us. On another night, I had dinner at Moonshine with my incredible team at Libraries Unlimited (much love to Sharon, Debby, Blanche, Shannon). Kristin Fontichiaro and Alexey Root, both Libraries Unlimited authors, are sweet as pie, and I hung out with them at dinner with the LU team.

4-14-11 Dianne de Las Casas and Melanie Hope Greenberg taken at Guero's Restaurant in Austin, TX (iPhone pic)

I managed a bit of shopping and met a wonderful husband and wife team at GSH Designs, where I bought lots of great jewelry for my daughters and for friends. Thank you Rosa and Johnny!

4-15-11 Rosa and Johnny of GSH Designs jewelry. Such nice people!

It was a wonderful conference and I love the city of Austin. I wish I could have seen more of it! A big hug to Marita Gentry for making my TLA conference such a special one.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

4-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas sign books at A Tisket A Tasket during the French Quarter Festival

Friends:

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, Kid Chef Eliana and I had a book signing at A Tisket A Tasket in the New Orleans French Quarter during the French Quarter Festival. It was quite crowded and bustling! Eliana did a great job mesmerizing the passersby with her cute chef outfit and food knowledge!

4-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana works the crowd

It was a whirlwind signing but so much fun. Thank you to Lisa Jones and Judy for being such great hostesses!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne