Travel

Oahu, Hawaii Day 5 – Lei Making, Hula Lessons, Puka Dog & Chinatown – Friday, June 10, 2011

by dlcasas on June 22, 2011

6-10-11 The pretty view of Waikiki from my Mom and Clay's balcony at the Sheraton Princess

Friends:

Day 5 on Oahu was spent doing a variety of things. The men (Antonio and Clay) went to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor while the girls (Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I) took lessons in lei making and hula. We went to my mom’s hotel, The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and took our lessons there. Not only did we learn how to make orchid leis, we were also given our Hawaiian names. My Hawaiian name is “Mehealani,” which means “heavenly moonrise.” Eliana’s Hawaiian name is “Pualani,” which means “heavenly flower.” Soleil’s Hawaiian name is “Nalanani,” which means “beautiful sunshine.” Mom’s Hawaiian name is “Puanani,” which means “beautiful flower.”

6-10-11 Soleil, Eliana & I make orchid leis and receive our Hawaiian names

After our lei-making, we took an hour-long hula lesson from a tutu kumu (a grandmotherly teacher). It was quite a workout and we were all perspiring at the end of it!

6-10-11 Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I take an hour long hula lesson. What fun!

We worked up quite an appetite and it was time for lunch. So we headed to Puka Dog, a local hot dog stand located only on the islands Oahu and Kauai.

6-10-11 We fell in love with Puka Dog, a Hawaiian tropical hot dog. Ono!

“Puka” means “hole” in Hawaiian. A puka dog, is a bun with a hole inside. The sausage is inserted with a variety of tropical relishes and condiments. I had a lilikoi (passion fruit) mustard and pineapple relish Puka Dog. They were soooo good. Clay, my stepdad, loves them so much that he wants to open a Puka Dog franchise in New Orleans!

6-10-11 Soleil holds her tasty Puka Dog

Puka Dog is also renowned for their Hawaiian shave ice. There is no “d” at the end of “shave,” in case you are thinking I misspelled the word. Shave ice is a powdery fine crushed ice flavored with different kinds of tropical syrups. It is akin to the “snowball” of New Orleans although I have to say that the Hawaiian shave ice has a much finer texture. Just delicious!

6-10-11 A Blue Hawaiian Shave Ice from Puka Dog

After eating our Puka dogs, the girls decided to do some shopping at a nearby outdoor market. We found lots great bargains that rivaled the prices in Chinatown. Imagine that, in the heart of Waikiki!

6-10-11 The girls shop at an outdoor market and find Hawaiian bargains!

We met up with the guys again and headed to Chinatown for our second visit, this time on our own. We shopped for leis, souvenirs, and ate at the food court full of Chinese, Singaporean, and Filipino foods. Eliana and Soleil had traditional Filipino halo-halo, for the first time. Halo-halo is a shaved ice dessert with coconut milk, milk, ice cream, and tropical fruits, a great summertime treat!

6-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Filipino halo-halo!

I had my favorite pork hash with a “paper” cupcake dessert, an angel food cake-like pastry. Can you believe that the pork hash was only 50 cents each?!

6-10-11 I ate pork hash and a paper cupcake from Chinatown. I LOVE pork hash!

After our fill of food, we headed back to Mom and Clay’s hotel, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulanai, and watched a hula show as we sipped on tropical cocktails.

6-10-11 We watch a lovely hula dancer at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

The night ended with a stroll through a big Hula street festival in front of Waikiki beach.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 4 – Hanauma Bay & Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room – Thursday, June 9, 2011

by dlcasas on June 22, 2011

6-9-11 Breathtaking views of where surf meets shore

Friends:

On Day 4 of our Hawaii trip, we went to Hanauma Bay. Before we went to the bay, we stopped at a scenic overlook and took some gorgeous pictures.

6-9-11 A scenic view of Oahu's rocky shore

The beauty of the Hawaiian Islands never fails to astonish me…

6-9-11 Smile, ohana!

Antonio, Soleil, Eliana and I had our hearts set on going to Hanauma Bay. My mom and Clay decided to spend their day with Reggie, Clay’s nephew, who is stationed on Oahu. They explored the Northshore while we swam and snorkeled in breaktaking Hanauma Bay.

6-9-11 Beautiful Hanauma Bay

Check out this phenomenal panoramic view of Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 A panoramic view of Hanauma Bay from above

After viewing a video on the preservation of Hanauma Bay, we decided to walk down the steep hill. It was so pretty. The beach wasn’t very crowded and we found a nice spot quickly.

6-9-11 Happy to be at Hanauma Bay!

We snorkled lots and saw some amazing sea life.

6-9-11 Angelfish in Hanauma Bay

Unfortunately, my underwater camera was an epic failure and all but two pictures were blurry.

6-9-11 The underwater camera failed to take clear pics. Here we are snorkeling in Hanauma Bay.

But I did get this great picture of a sea urchin!

6-9-11 The long-slate pencil sea urchin in Hanauma Bay

We had so much fun frolicking in the sand and sea!

6-9-11 Eliana loves Hanauma Bay. She is a natural island girl!

Hanauma Bay is picturesque on land and in the sea! Everywhere you look is a good picture!

6-9-11 Island beauties at Hanauma Bay

Yes, we loved taking pictures at Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 Antonio, Eliana & Dianne at Hanauma Bay

I even ate my Spam musubi at the beach! LOL

6-9-11 I confess... I love Spam musubi, a Hawaiian comfort food

Eliana made her mark at every beach we visited! It became our Hawaiian tradition… what a sweetie!

6-9-11 We love you too, Eliana!

Even roosters love Hanauma Bay…

6-9-11 A beautiful rooster roams the beach at Hanauma Bay

We didn’t want to leave this beachy paradise but we had reservations at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room to celebrate Kid Chef Eliana’s birthday so it was time to go… On the way back, we saw the grand “Stairway to Heaven,” a mountain with “stairs” all the way to the top. Unfortunately, it is not safe to climb and it is illegal for visitors to do so. But it sure makes a pretty backdrop!

6-9-11 Eliana poses in front of Stairway to Heaven on Oahu

Going to Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room was such a treat. They treated Kid Chef Eliana like a princess! We ate the best food – gastonomical delights such as a marinated tomato and watermelon salad, compliments of the executive chef!

6-9-11 A tomato and watermelon salad compliments of Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

They even brought out a delicious birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana!! WOW!!

6-9-11 A birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Here is Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka, who gifted Eliana with sacred volcanic sea salt from the island of Kauai. We were wowed by the hospitality of the Pineapple Room. Not only was it an amazing experience for Eliana, it was wonderful experience for the whole family! And the perfect end to another day in paradise!

6-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 3 – Polynesian Cultural Center – Wednesday, June 8, 2011

by dlcasas on June 21, 2011

6-8-11 Eliana and I pose in Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda's backyard

Friends:

Day 3 was our day to spend at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) but we were waylaid by me having an allergic reaction and a swollen eye. I had to go to Wal-Mart to get prescription eye drops so we got off to a late start. Auntie Linda asked us to stop by her house before we went to PCC because she made us jasmine leis from her garden! They were so pretty and aromatic!

6-8-11 Tropical flowers from Auntie Linda's garden adorn Eliana's hair

While we were there, we toured the Katekarus’ yard and gardens. They had a collection of amazing turtles!

6-8-11 A turtle eats hibiscus flowers

Their backyard was so pretty, we had to pose for pictures!

6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty island girls

Auntie Linda and Uncle BobKat are so sweet. Thank you for being so hospitable AGAIN! We left their house and headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

6-8-11 Soleil and Eliana, pretty girls at the Polynesian Cultural Center

The only village we got to see was Aoetearoa (New Zealand), where we saw a Maori dance show. Then it was time for the Ali’i Luau.

6-8-11 Eliana holds a fish made out of palm leaves at the Ali'i Luau

We saw the roasted kalua pig come out of the ground and carried ceremoniously to the stage.

6-8-11 The kalua pig is pulled out of the imu, the underground oven, at the Ali'i Luau

It was time to dig in. I piled my plate with rice, kalua pork, a purple taro roll, poi (the pasty starch Hawaiians eat), pineapple, chicken long rice (actually a noodle dish), and a root vegetable. I have to say that I didn’t hate the poi but it lacked flavor. It’s not something I would specifically order. I did have poi later that tasted better because it was freshly made. An interesting note about taro root (which poi is made from): if not cooked properly, it causes burning and itching in the throat. I don’t remember it from my childhood days in Hawaii so I am glad I sampled it again.

6-8-11 My meal at the Ali'i Luau - kalua pork, chicken long rice, a taro bread roll, poi, and fresh pineapple

We were treated to a nice show of Hula with a royal procession.

6-8-11 The royal dance to signal the king's entry at the luau

I love watching Hula because it is so graceful and elegant. But it’s even more amazing when kids dance and are so accomplished! I love it!

6-8-11 Kids dance with uli ulis at the Ali'i Luau

After the luau, we went to the Ha, Breath of Life Show and it was magnificent. The show featured dances from the Polynesian cultures highlighted at the PCC: Hawaii, Aotearoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. It was spectacular, full of special effects and a good story! Unfortunately, we could not take pictures. :( But it was the perfect end to our time at the PCC. Aloha!

6-8-11 Family photo time after the Ali'i Luau

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 2 – Hawaii Food Tours & BobKat’s Famous Pizza – Tuesday, June 7, 2011

by dlcasas on June 21, 2011

6-7-11 Eliana in front of a big batch of manapua

Friends:

On Day 2 of our Hawaii vacation, it was a day dedicated to food and Kid Chef Eliana’s culinary education. We went on Matthew Gray’s Hawaii Food Tours. It was phenomenal!! I learned so much about the foods of Hawaii. We had manapua, a Chinese sweet bun made with sweet or savoring fillings. I had the cha siu, Chinese barbecued pork. Kid Chef Eliana had coconut. It was definitely love at first bite!

6-7-11 Hawaii's famous manapua buns made with sweet or savory fillings

Then we headed to Chinatown for lots of samplings of local foods. One of my favorite parts of this tour was the visit to the Chinese noodle factory, where rice noodles were made by hand!

6-7-11 At a noodle factory in Chinatown, where rice noodles are handmade

The delicate noodles were complimented by chicken and a savory gingery, sesame, soy sauce. Absolutely divine!

6-7-11 Samples of the amazing rice noodles & wings are prepared for us

We sampled all kinds of local fruit, including rambutan, a small, spiny red fruit with white fleshy orb inside. It’s exotic and sweet.

6-7-11 A rambutan fruit - a fruit popular in Southeast Asia

We saw purple sweet potatoes, mangoes, lichees, and a host of other fruit and vegetables.

6-7-11 Kid Chef Eliana holds a purple sweet potato

I fell in love with a local food called Spam musubi. I know what you’re thinking. Spam?!! Yes, Spam! Hawaii is the largest consumer of Spam in the world and they have fully integrated this canned meat into their cuisine. Spam musubi is sushi rice topped with Spam, and wrapped in nori, a seaweed paper.

6-7-11 Fresh mango, Spam musubi, and ahi poke, which is marinated ahi tuna

We browsed through Chinatown and I was wowed by all the wonderful fresh produce!

6-7-11 Lots of fresh produce in Chinatown!

We loved the tour and the food kept coming!!

6-7-11 A great family photo in Chinatown - notice the No Dumping sign over my stepdad's head. LOL

We knew we were coming back to Chinatown another day!

6-7-11 Kid Chef Eliana eats Korean barbecue pork

Keira, one of our food guides, created a tropical cocktail smoothie. It was soooo good!

6-7-11 Keira's tropical cocktail smoothie - a perfect respite from the heat!

We also tasted a local confection called “coco puff,” a small puff pastry filled with chocolate and topped with a buttery chantilly cream. Tasty!!

6-7-11 Matthew of Hawaii Food Tours passes out coco puffs, a famous Hawaiian pastry

By the time we were done with the Hawaii Food Tours, we felt like overstuffed manapua! It was one of the best tours I have been on and we all loved it! After a quick dip at our hotel’s pool, we got ready for dinner. Can you believe it?!! After all that food…

We went to my Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda’s house for dinner. They are long-time family friends. I grew up with their kids in Hawaii!! We hadn’t seen them in years and seeing them felt like no years had passed. It was the feeling of “ohana,” meaning “family” in Hawaiian.

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda, old family friends from my childhood in Hawaii!

Uncle BobKat (my childhood name for Bob Katekaru) is an expert, renowned pizza maker and wowed us with his culinary skills as well as his operatic singing abilities. Who knew?! It was like watching a food T.V. show!

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat makes a pizza from scratch! Yum!

The pizza came out of the oven hot and fresh, oozing with mozzarella cheese and full of yummy toppings!

6-7-11 Uncle BobKat's Pizza!

Companionship with loving friends was the perfect end to a culinary day of perfection! Thank you Uncle BobKat and Auntie Linda for your Hawaiian hospitality! We love you!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 1 – Arrival! Monday, June 6, 2011

by dlcasas on June 21, 2011

6-6-11 Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii!

Friends:

My family vacation to Hawaii was a blast. Antonio, Soleil, Eliana, and I spent ten days in paradise! After many hours of flying, we finally arrived on Oahu, at the Honolulu airport.

6-6-11 We arrive in Hawaii, at the airport in Honolulu

It was fun driving through Honolulu and Waikiki. Lots of fun sights to see, including this very cool looking building!

6-6-11 As we drive into Waikiki, we see an interesting looking building!

The foliage and trees are amazing. Look at this banyan tree.

6-6-11 A big Banyan tree. Wow!

We stayed at the Grand Waikikian at the Hilton Hawaiian Villlage. Upon arriving, we were greeted with Kukui nut leis. The staff was so friendly. I loved our suite. We had a full kitchen and even had a washer and dryer.

6-6-11 Our Grand Waikikian suite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

Our view from the balcony afforded us sights of the ocean and the mountains. Plus, we had easy beach access as well as access to pools and the pretty Hilton lagoon, perfect for children.

6-6-11 From our balcony, the day is waning. We have ocean and mountain views, and beach access!

My mom and Clay also vacationed with us on Oahu but stayed at a different hotel. They were at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel, also in Waikiki. We had a rental car and picked them up for dinner. We ate at a local eatery called Lulu’s Waikiki Bar and Grill.

6-6-11 Mom, Soleil & Eliana at Lulu's in Waikiki

Lulu’s is a casual cafe that overlooks the beach. The food was great.

6-6-11 Eliana and I at Lulu's in Waikiki

I ate a local favorite called “Loco Moco,” rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, with a fried egg on top. Definitely comfort food and I was starving. American Airlines does not feed you (unless you pay), even on 8 hour flights!

6-6-11 A Hawaiian specialty - Loco Moco, rice topped with a burger, gravy and a fried egg

We were so excited to be in Hawaii!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Story Safari Programs at Webster Parish Libraries – Thursday, June 2, 2011

by dlcasas on June 4, 2011

6-2-11 Performing my draw and tell tale, The Emperor's Dragon, at the Webster Parish Library in Minden, LA

Friends:

On Thursday, June 2, I was at the Webster Parish Library in Minden and then their Springhill Branch Library. This summer’s reading theme is “One World, Many Stories.” My program is called “Story Safari,” to coincide with the summer theme.

I began my program with my draw and tell story, The Emperor’s Dragon. The kids love seeing lines transformed into a picture! Then I did “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps,” another draw and tell story.

6-2-11 Performing my draw and tell tale, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, at the Webster Parish Library in Minden, LA

My middle story was “Medio Pollito,” which in Spanish means “Little Half Chick.” It’s the story of how the weather vane came to be. Then it was time for a song: “My Aunt Came Back.”

6-2-11 With helpers from the audience, Dianne performs My Aunt Came Back, a traditional song at the library in Minden

My last story was from my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library. I had helpers from the audience participate in the story. The little boy who played the main character, Max, was hilarious. His name is Kayus. My rapport with the audience was magical and I had such an amazing time with them!

6-2-11 Cute and kooky Kayus plays Max in There's a Dragon in the Library

Kid Chef Eliana closed out the show with a performance of her new song, “Cool Kids Cook!” She is so adorable! Afterward, we sold and signed tons of books, especially Eliana!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana talks about her cookbook, Eliana Cooks! at the library in Minden

At the end of the show, I put on some dance music and some kids from the audience showed everyone their moves. Check out Kayus!! He was the most incredible break dancer!

6-2-11 Kayus does a handstand while is he breakdancing to Dianne's music

After the show, it was time for our annual tradition: lunch at Moody’s Place! Moody’s is this “hole in the wall” restaurant that serves stick-to-your-ribs Southern soul food – fried chicken, fried pork chops, country fried steak, turnip greens, purple hull peas (black eyed peas), yams, and pies that will make you dream about them for days!!

6-2-11 Oh me, oh my! Look at those pies!

This is the restaurant that introduced me to “hot water cornbread.” Cornbread that is baked and then fried! But it sure tastes good!

6-2-11 Hot water cornbread at Moody's Place in Minden, LA

Jennifer Heard is the children’s librarian who introduced us to Moody’s. Now we have to eat there every time we go to Minden! Look at the two Jennifers! (Jennifer Heard is on the left.)

6-2-11 Jennifer X 2 from the Webster Parish Library in Minden!

Eliana even got to talk to Ms. Moody for a little bit. Yes, Moody’s Place is one of our favorite Southern cooking restaurants in Louisiana!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana in front of Moody's Place in Minden, LA

After lunch, it was time to head to Springhill, Louisiana for our second show. Springhill is on the Arkansas border. It’s waay north! Again, I told my draw and tell stories. When I did “My Aunt Came Back,” the audience had a great time getting silly!

6-2-11 The audience at the Springhill Branch Library does My Aunt Came Back

“Medio Pollito” was a hit with the Springhill Crowd. They even learned a little Spanish!

6-2-11 Showing kids a weather vane from the story, Medio Pollito

When I performed There’s a Dragon in the Library, Zach was my little helper that played “Max” in the story. We had a good time!

6-2-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library at the Springhill Branch Library

Kid Chef Eliana performed her song, “Cool Kids Cook!” At this show, we sold out of books – both of us!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana performs her song, Cool Kids Cook!

Kid Chef Eliana was a big hit and her little fans wanted pictures with her!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana takes a picture with sweet fans!

Following our show, we headed across the street to AmJenn’s Soups and Scoops restaurant. We both enjoyed cold Coke floats. We even got to sign dollar bills that were placed on the ceiling! Cool!

6-2-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas sign dollar bills for the ceiling at AmJenn's Soups & Scoops restaurant on Main Street in Springhill, LA

Eliana and I had a MARVELOUS time in Webster Parish. Webster Parish is just full of good people – we had such wonderful audiences and the library staff is just out of this world!!! So a world of thanks to our friends in Minden and Springhill! See you down the road…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Visiting Natchitoches, Louisiana – Wednesday, June 1, 2011

by dlcasas on June 4, 2011

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana with L-R, Dwayne Cross & Travis Newton, Lasyone's Meat Pie cooks

Friends:

After my show in Leesville, Louisiana, Eliana and I had to head north to Minden, Louisiana. We decided to stop in Natchitoches, Louisiana, one of our favorite little towns in Louisiana. Eliana was doing research for her next cookbook, Kid Chef Eliana Cooks Louisiana, so we had to eat at the famous Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen and Restaurant. Of course, we ordered meat pies. Mmmmmmmm!

6-1-11 Lasyone's meat pie with dirty rice and gravy

Natchitoches meat pies are a famous Louisiana food and Lasyone’s really does it the best, in my opinion. Their pie is crisp and flaky, and the meat inside is well-seasoned with a bit of a kick but not too spicy. Eliana will be doing a kid version of the meat pie. She even got to speak with two of the Lasyone’s meat pie chefs! They were so nice but they definitely would not tell us their secret recipe! LOL

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana bites into a Lasyone's meat pie!

After eating lunch, we decided to walk the riverfront and then do some shopping. I love the beautiful river that runs through Natchitoches. The shops on Front Street are wonderful. Eliana has two new favorite stores: The General Store (Louisiana’s oldest general store established in 1863) because of its EXTENSIVE kitchen wares and Cane River Kitchenware, another kitchen supply store with a demonstration kitchen in the back!

6-1-11 Eliana by the river in Natchitoches

Then Eliana and I decided to do something out of the ordinary. We rented a two-person surrey and rode around town. Boy, was that work! I didn’t realize how tired I would be afterward. The guy told us, “You are a car. You follow car rules.” Well, we didn’t move as fast as a car and it was difficult moving through an uphill four-way stop. REAL cars were honking and waving at us. :)

6-10-11 Eliana and I get ready to ride a two person surrey in Natchitoches

We had a great time in Natchitoches, as always. You should visit too!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Story Safari Program, Leesville Parish Library, Leesville, LA – Wednesday, June 1, 2011

by dlcasas on June 4, 2011

6-1-11 In Leesville, LA performing my draw and tell story, The Emperor's Dragon

Friends:

These past couple of days, I have been touring Louisiana for the library summer reading programs. I visit the library as a special guest, performing my stories and getting kids excited about reading. It’s so much fun. I kicked off the summer at the Vernon Parish Library in Leesville, Louisiana, a good 5 hour drive from New Orleans. I began the program with a couple of draw and tell stories, “The Emperor’s Dragon” and “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.” The kids loved the stories.

Next, I told a story from Spain called “Medio Pollito.” It is the story of how a weather vane came to be and how a little chick with a lot of attitude learns his lesson! Then it on to a fun song called “My Aunt Came Back.” I ended my program performing the story from my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library, illustrated by Marita Gentry and published by Pelican Publishing Company.

6-1-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library at the Vernon Parish Library in Leesville, LA

But the finale of the show was Kid Chef Eliana! She came out in full chef uniform and performed her new song, “Cool Kids Cook!” She was adorable!

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana performs her song, Cool Kids Cook!

Afterward, we both signed books and took pictures with fans. Fun!

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana takes a picture with little Victoria, who looks only slightly amused. LOL

A special thank you and a big hug to Flo, our hostess with the mostest! She was so sweet and accommodating, just a delight to be around!

6-1-11 Kid Chef Eliana and Dianne de Las Casas with Flo, the children's librarian in Leesville

It was a ton of fun in Leesville (although it hit 103 degrees outside! Whew!).

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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International Reading Association Conference 2011, Orlando, FL – May 9-11, 2011

by dlcasas on May 14, 2011

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

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Barnes & Noble Easter Event – Saturday, April 16, 2011

by dlcasas on April 20, 2011

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

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