Dianne de Las CasasThis is a featured page

Dianne de Las Casas (Photo Credit: Stacey C. Hensley)
Dianne de Las Casas (Photo by Stacey C. Hensley)

About the Author:
 Dianne de Las Casas is an award-winning author, storyteller, and founder of Picture Book Month, who tours internationally presenting author visit/storytelling programs, educator/librarian training, and workshops. Her performances, dubbed “revved-up storytelling” are full of energetic audience participation. Her children’s books include The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach, Mama’s Bayou, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, There’s a Dragon in the Library, The House That Witchy Built, Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate, Dinosaur Mardi Gras, Beware, Beware of the Big Bad Bear, and The Little "Read" Hen.

There's a Dragon in the LibraryBlue Frog: The Legend of ChocolateThe Cajun Cornbread Boy

Author Website:
www.storyconnection.net
www.picturebookmonth.com

Author Address:
Dianne de Las Casas
P.O. Box 2656
Harvey, Louisiana 70059

(New Orleans metro area)

Genres:
Picture books and storytelling
Dianne de Las Casas is also the Founder of Picture Book Month, an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November.

Presentations:
What Can You Expect from Dianne?
For a Paid Skype Author Visit:
  • Dianne tells a story to open – interactive and fun
  • Dianne talks her books, storytelling and the writing process
  • Dianne conducts live Q&A
    • Students should stand in front of the webcam so that they are visible on screen
    • Students should speak succinctly close to the microphone so that Dianne can hear them
    • One question per student
  • Dianne closes with a short story
  • Dianne is also very flexible and spontaneous and may not always adhere to the above exactly but whatever she does with your students will be fun, educational and enjoyable
Audiences:
Grades PK-6

Available Times:
Dianne lives in the central time zone (New Orleans) but will work with your schedule, including Skype Visits with schools abroad.
No recording of Skype Sessions without permission from the author.

In-Depth Visit Length:
45 minutes

In-Depth Visit Cost:
Skype Honorarium
The skinny about the full Skype visit:
  • $300 for a full 45-minute Skype Author Visit
  • $425 for a back-to-back Skype Author Visits (2 separate sessions, same day)
  • $550 for three back-to-back Skype Author Visits (3 separate sessions, same day)
  • The fee, which is billed to you or your school by email, can be paid through PayPal or by check
  • If paying by check, the check must arrive before the scheduled visit
  • Checks should be made payable to Dianne de Las Casas
A full Author Skype Visit Guide can be found on http://www.storyconnection.net. For ideas on how to fund an author visit with Dianne, visit http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=fund

If you are interested in booking Dianne to visit your school in person, the fee (outside Louisiana) is $1,500/day + expenses. For more details, visit http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=guidelines

Prerequisites:
During the Visit:
Here are some guidelines:
  • Give the students a brief introduction of Dianne.
    • “Dianne de Las Casas is an award-winning author, storyteller and recording artist. She travels around the world sharing stories and LOVES creating them. She’s fun, funny and funky! Give it up for Dianne de Las Casas!”
  • Have teachers present to assert crowd control
  • Please take pictures of the students looking at the screen. (If you send Dianne pictures to use, she will send you a gift!)
  • Limit one question per student so that more students may have a chance to interact with Dianne
  • Have the student say his/her name and grade then ask the question, speaking clearly near the microphone and looking directly into the web camera
  • Make sure the student has his/her question written down on a piece of paper as a quick reference guide in the event they forget the question.
After the Visit:
Discussion questions:
  • What did you like best about the Skype visit?
  • What did you learn about Dianne?
  • What did you learn about being an author and/or storyteller?
  • Is there a difference between being an author and a storyteller?
Write a Letter to Dianne!
A language arts extension! If you would like for the students to practice their writing skills, encourage them to write a letter to the author! Letters can be mailed to:

Dianne de Las Casas
The Story Connection
P.O. Box 2656
Harvey, LA 70059

A letter template is available and printable from Dianne’s website in the Book Activities section. http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=bookActivities Click on “Author Visit Letter” in any of the book activities. Bulk letters from classes are welcome. All mail is answered personally by Dianne via snail mail although it sometimes takes a little while due to her touring and writing schedule.

Teachers and students can also email Dianne at dianne@storyconnection.net. Dianne loves hearing from you!

Book Activities
If you didn’t have a chance to do some book activities before Dianne’s Skype Author Visit, be sure to do a few activities with the students after the visit. After having spoken with Dianne, they are excited about her books. Take advantage of this enthusiasm by engaging them with her fun book activities!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=bookActivities

Your Gift!
Once you have completed the Skype Author Visit, Dianne will send you a package of bookmarks for the participating students and signed reading posters for participating teachers. Woo hoo!

Contact Information:
Dianne de Las Casas
Award-Winning Author & StorytellerFounder of Picture Book Month
The Story Connection
P.O. Box 2656
Harvey, LA 70059
dianne@storyconnection.net
storyconnection@gmail.com
http://www.storyconnection.net

Friend me! http://www.facebook.com/diannedelascasas
Fan me! http://www.facebook.com/fanofdianne
Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/storyconnection

Affiliations:
SCBWI, TLA, ALA, WNBA






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