STORY CONNECTION EXPRESS –DECEMBER 2007
Keeping in touch with Author & Award-winning Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas
“Connecting Kids and Learning through the Arts”
Theme: Recycle & Rejoice!
© 2007 by Dianne de Las Casas

“Dianne, just ordered "Handmade Tales" from Libraries Unlimited. Soooo looking forward to reading it!” Susan Adams, Youth Services Manager, Southeast Regional Library, Raleigh, North Carolina

“Dianne, so glad to get updates and to learn of wonderful stories in the home state. Congratulations for all the great work. It is getting very cold here in Wisconsin and I dream ‘about magnolias in June...’ I will contact you before I get back to THE BAYOU.” - Dr. Margarita Hendrickson, Professor of Spanish, Department of Modern Languages, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

“Dianne, my husband and I just returned from our little weekend visit to New Orleans. What a fabulous place! We enjoyed the wonderful food, gracious people, and lively atmosphere of the city. We took a walk down Magazine Street, a bus into the Garden District, Uptown, and all the way to the Audubon Zoo. We stayed at a wonderful hotel, Maison Dupuy, on Toulouse Street, went to a jazz club, Pat O'Brien's, and many outstanding restaurants. I can fully understand how this is a magical place, and I give the people a great deal of credit in trying to rebuild it. The city certainly has a great deal of history and charm. I know how much it means to you, and just wanted to share how wonderful I thought it was myself. I'm always so inspired by your work and your generosity in sharing your talents. I just wanted to share that tidbit of info on the city with you. Take care and keep shining your light on all you meet.” - Paddy Lynn, Professional Storyteller

CONTENTS
Note from Dianne
Recycle & Rejoice!
Stuff a Stocking with Handmade Tales
Story: Santa’s Stuck!
Together Time Activity: Tic Tac Ho Ho Ho
Bonus Together Time Activity: Let’s Trim the Tree Game
Dianne’s Kids Media Connection
Wonderful Websites
Select Upcoming Events
Where Can I Find Dianne’s Recordings?
About Dianne de Las Casas

NOTE FROM DIANNE
Dear Friends:

December has me home and “nesting.” My husband and I just replaced the floors in the front of the house, including my office (our second “new” flooring – we were still getting water damage in heavy rains, especially in my office). Now we have ceramic tile with a gorgeous mosaic tile border. We reorganized the garage (what a job!! because the garage was our construction dumping grounds) and had a big, successful garage sale. We are now making plans to renovate my office with built-ins – a library, cabinetry and two work stations.

I am working on new books – just contracted two more – The Story Biz Handbook will now be published by Libraries Unlimited and The Cajun Cornbread Boy, a children’s picture book, will be published by Pelican Publishing Co. I am also making plans to record a new children’s audio CD.

Soleil, our 17 year old, just finished a lead role in her high school musical, Leader of the Pack: The Life of Ellie Greenwich. Soleil sang “Leader of the Pack” and did a phenomenal job. Eliana, our 7 year old, is so excited because she just received an early Christmas present – a new “big girl” desk and hutch and a bunk bed (twin on the top, full on the bottom). Now all her cousins can spend the night and fit! Oh boy… I can hear it now, “There were five in the bed and the little one said, ‘Roll over, roll over…’”

I am preparing for my annual holiday soiree’ – this year, it’s a Wine and Cheese Celebration for “grown-ups only.” Wines will be paired with cheeses from around the world. In addition, we’ll have other tasty tidbits. If you’re in my area (New Orleans, LA) on Saturday, December 22, 2007, please join us! Email me at Dianne@storyconnection.net and I’ll send you an e-vite.

This past year has been a rich one, filled with exciting travels, three new book contracts (, a new book published, and the completion of kitchen renovations (a story in and of itself!). But one of my most crowning achievements this year was a personal one – I lost 60 lbs!! From May through October, I focused by exercising, eating healthy, and drinking lots of water. The result was a phenomenal weight loss that has transformed my life. I went from a size 24 to a size 12. (Through the holidays, I am working on maintaining my weight. I actually have 30 more lbs. to reach my goal weight). I even completed a 5K race this month! I am happier and healthier. I had to recycle my clothes by selling them and donating them to a worthy charity.

Speaking of recycling, this month’s theme is “Recycle & Rejoice!” Tis the season to reuse materials and turn trash into treasure, junk into gems. Have fun with the kids with easy, inexpensive holiday projects.

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays! May 2008 greet you with health, wealth, peace, and happiness…

Warmest Wishes,
Dianne

RECYCLE AND REJOICE!
By Dianne de Las Casas

This holiday season, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on gifts for the kids. Just place a large, empty box under the tree. I guarantee - they’ll keep themselves occupied for hours… You get to recycle AND save money. Just kidding! I mean about putting an empty box under the tree. But there is a lot of truth in what I said. Children will entertain themselves for hours on end inside a large cardboard box. Eliana, my 7 year old, chose to sell her fancy doll house and keep her castle made of shoe boxes and toilet paper tubes. Why? Because she created it. When kids create, they have ownership and pride. It also allows them to fire up their noggins and ignite their imaginations. So let’s get that spark started. Cool creative projects are closer than you think – in the recycling bin…

You will need some craft supplies to get started: scissors, hole punch, stapler, construction paper, markers or crayons, acrylic paint, glue and embellishments (glitter, pom poms, chenille sticks, etc.). Let’s recycle and rejoice! Fa la la la la la la la la…

Puzzle Pieces
Tired of seeing old, mismatched puzzle pieces lying around? Don’t discard them. Reuse the pieces by painting them and making reindeer or “interpretive” snowmen ornaments.

Paint them green and glue them to a donut form made out of a paper plate. Tada! An instant wreath! Hot glue kid meal toys (you know where they are – under the back seat of the car with the petrified French fry and you’ve been meaning to throw both of them out!) and you have a cool kid’s wreath.

Puzzle pieces also make cute colorful borders around inexpensive picture frames. A great gift idea.

Christmas Cards
What do you do with the massive amounts of holiday cards you receive? Recycle them into gift tags – use a small cookie cutter to trace out your favorite part of the card then cut it out. Hole punch the top and thread a ribbon through to make a fun gift tag.

Create a wreath form out of foam core. Pin or glue the cards to the form creating a colorful card wreath.

Toilet Paper Rolls
Use toilet paper rolls to create advent wreaths, figures for a Nativity scene or candles for a Hannukah menorah or a Kwanzaa kinara. For a Nativity figure, cut a piece of skin colored (whatever color you want your skin to be) construction paper to the size of the roll, wrap around and tape or glue. Now add different colors to create clothes and drawn on a face. For a candle, wrap construction paper around the roll. Next, cut a “flame” from orange and red construction paper and tape it to the inside top of the tube. My 7 year old and her cousins love to use this “candle” when they play restaurant. It’s easy and safe!

Plastic Milk Containers
This isn’t my idea. Neighbors came up with this beautiful light display using plastic milk containers. They filled each jug halfway full of water and set the jugs around the perimeter of the yard. Next, they ran large colored holiday lights around the yard, with each bulb inserted into the opening of the milk container. It is creative and gorgeous!

Candy Canes
You’ve got tons of them from gifts or just bought too many boxes… No worries. Hot glue candy canes, with the crook facing out, around a candle in a glass jar or around a flower vase. It makes a stunning centerpiece. Tip: First wrap the glass in brown paper and tape it in place. This will give the glue a sandier surface to grab and make removal a cinch.

Hot glue two candy canes together to form a heart. Tie a ribbon around it and hang it from a gift or from the tree.

Crush the candy canes and add the minty powder to a cup of hot cocoa. Mmmmm…

Shoe Boxes
Shoe Boxes are great for creating dioramas, still 3D scenes. Use a large shoe box to create a winter wonderland, a Christmas village, or a polar scene. Soleil and Eliana created a Penguin Playground using a large shoe box. Penguins were made out of black and white chenille sticks and glaciers were made out of Styrofoam. Snowflake wrapping paper served as the background while blue cellophane became icy water. White iridescent glitter topped all the “snow.” It was gorgeous!

Shoe boxes also make great gift boxes. Cut wrapping paper to the size of the side and the top of the box. Using spray glue, affix the wrapping paper. Tie a wide ribbon around the whole box and you have a beautiful gift box.

Shoe boxes also make great storage containers. I use them to store the angel ornaments I collect every year, wrapping each angel in tissue paper.

Burnt Out Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs make fun holiday ornaments (I haven't thought about how to recycle the new spiral light bulbs!). Soleil and the members of her art club at school created cool Frosty the Snowman ornaments by painting the bulbs with white spray paint. Scarves were made from the edge of an old stitched blanket. The face was drawn in with Sharpie markers (black for the eyes and orange for the nose). Felt was used to create top hots. Too cute! The large bulbs also work to create reindeer and Santa.

You can also make a reindeer ornament by taking a large, old fashioned Christmas tree light bulb, holding it socket end up, centering and wrapping a brown chenille stick around the socket once and then bending or twisting the ends into antlers. Wrap the chenille around a pencil for a spiral shape. Glue on a red pompom nose and googly eyes. Add a pinback to wear it or a clear fishing line to hang it.

Soda Bottles
20 oz. soda bottles (I like the Coke shaped bottles) make great holiday reindeer treats! Remove the label. Wash and dry the bottle thoroughly. Using brown chenille sticks, create antlers by wrapping them around the neck of the bottle. You can also create antlers by tracing a child’s hands onto cardstock or poster board. Hot glue them to the bottle. Glue on a red pom pom nose and googly eyes. Fill with M&Ms or other small holiday treats like Snow Caps. Makes a great teacher gift.

Have a blast this holiday season by reusing materials and creating cool crafts with your kids! Recycle and rejoice!

STUFF A STOCKING WITH HANDMADE TALES
Gift the “handiest” gift this holiday season and stuff a stocking with Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take. With over 25 “make and take” stories, Handmade Tales is full of hands-on fun! Educators, librarians, parents and children will love how paper, string, bandanas, napkins, handkerchiefs, towels and even shoelaces are transformed from the ordinary into the extraordinary. ISBN 1-59158-536-8 Order your copy from your local bookseller (makes a great gift for your child’s teacher or school librarian or YOU) or from Libraries Unlimited http://www.lu.com. Handmade Tales is also available as a 2-6 hour workshop or teacher in-service. For more information, email me at Dianne@storyconnection.net. Happy Handmade Tales to You!

STORY: SANTA’S STUCK!
by Dianne de Las Casas

It was Christmas Eve. Santa Claus loaded his sleigh, harnessed his reindeer, and began traveling around the world to deliver toys to good girls and boys. At the first house, Santa and his reindeer landed on the roof. Santa slid down the chimney. Whoosh! He saw a big plate of cookies and big glass of milk sitting on the table. He gobbled all the cookies and guzzled all the milk.

A sip and a bite and he felt just right!

He stuffed the stockings, placed the presents, and flew up the chimney. Santa hopped into the sleigh and the reindeer took off. Vroom!

At the next house, Santa and his reindeer landed on the roof. Santa slid down the chimney. Whoosh! He saw another big plate of cookies and big glass of milk sitting on the table. He gobbled all the cookies and guzzled all the milk.

A sip and a bite and he felt just right!

He stuffed the stockings, placed the presents, and flew up the chimney. Santa hopped into the sleigh and the reindeer took off. Vroom!

At the next house, Santa and his reindeer landed on the roof. Santa slid down the chimney but it was a tight squeeze. Whoops! He saw another big plate of cookies and big glass of milk sitting on the table. He gobbled all the cookies and guzzled all the milk.

A sip and a bite and his pants felt tight!

He stuffed the stockings, placed the presents, and slowly flew up the chimney. His belly was so full of cookies and milk that he could barely budge up the chimney! Santa climbed into the sleigh holding his full belly and the reindeer took off. Oomph! But Santa was so heavy that they had a hard time pulling the sleigh.

At the next house, Santa and his reindeer landed on the roof with a big THUD. Santa said to the reindeer, “Hey guys, watch this!” Santa ran to the chimney and dove in head first. Oomph! Santa was stuck! His legs were sticking out of the top of the chimney. Santa yelled, “Reindeer, pull me out!”

Dasher said, “Santa, if you hadn’t eaten all those cookies and drank all that milk, you wouldn’t be stuck! You’re going to have to go on a serious diet!”

Santa said, “Could you please just pull me out?”

So Dasher grabbed Santa and he began to pull.

He pulled (clap, clap) and he pulled (clap, clap) with a ho, ho, ho
But Santa was stuck! He wouldn’t go, go, go!

Dasher said, “Looks like I’ll need more help!” So Dasher called Dancer. Dasher grabbed Santa, Dancer grabbed Dasher, and they began to pull.

They pulled (clap, clap) and they pulled (clap, clap) with a ho, ho, ho
But Santa was stuck! He wouldn’t go, go, go!

Dancer said, “This is terrible! Santa’s really stuck! We’ll need more help.” So Dancer called Prancer. Dasher grabbed Santa, Dancer grabbed Dasher, Prancer grabbed Dancer, and they began to pull.

They pulled (clap, clap) and they pulled (clap, clap) with a ho, ho, ho
But Santa was stuck! He wouldn’t go, go, go!

Prancer said, “What will we do? We’re way off schedule and Santa’s really stuck! We’ll need more help.” So Prancer called Vixen. Dasher grabbed Santa, Dancer grabbed Dasher, Prancer grabbed Dancer, Vixen grabbed Prancer, and they began to pull.

They pulled (clap, clap) and they pulled (clap, clap) with a ho, ho, ho
But Santa was stuck! He wouldn’t go, go, go!

Vixen said, “This is impossible! We’ll never get Santa out! Santa’s really stuck!” The reindeer were so tired that they collapsed into a pooped pile on top of the roof.

Santa yelled, “Hello?! Where is everyone? Can someone please pull me out?”
Just then, a little mouse scampered across the rooftop. She saw the reindeer in a pooped pile. She asked, “What are you doing?”

Dasher answered, “Santa’s stuck in the chimney and we can’t pull him out!”

The little mouse said, “You certainly could use a little more help. I’d be happy to help pull Santa out.”

Grumpy Vixen said, “What? You, a little mouse? You’re so small. You can’t help at all!”

The little mouse wiggled her whiskers and waggled her tail. “A little bit goes a long way.”

Santa said in his muffled voice, “Let her help. Please pull me out!”

The little mouse scurried to the end of the line. Dasher grabbed Santa, Dancer grabbed Dasher, Prancer grabbed Dancer, Vixen grabbed Prancer, Little Mouse grabbed Vixen’s tail, and they began to pull.

They pulled (clap, clap) and they pulled (clap, clap) with a ho, ho, ho
Then Santa came loose! He began to go, go, go!

Santa came flying out of the chimney. He double-flipped and landed on his feet. Everyone cheered.

Little Mouse was named Santa’s official Christmas mascot. Little Mouse was so small that she traveled with Santa every Christmas Eve. When Santa would reach for a second gobble of cookies or another guzzle of milk, Little Mouse would wiggle her whiskers, waggle her tail and say, “A little bit goes a long way!”

TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: TIC TAC HO HO HO
Materials:
Magnetic Dry Erase Board
Dry Erase Marker
Hs and Os from a child’s ABC magnet set

Instructions:
Draw a tic tac toe grid on a magnetic dry erase board (you can find "kid size" boards at a super store such as Wal-Mart or K-Mart for around $3-4). One player gets the Hs. The other player gets the Os. For Christmas colors, use red Hs and green Os or vice versa. Okay. Time to play. Tic tac ho ho ho. Three in a row!

BONUS TOGETHER TIME ACTIVITY: LET’S TRIM A TREE GAME
This game needs no materials other than your imagination. It’s a round. It can be played with 2 people or as many people as you’d like. Everyone adds an“ornament” to the tree and has to remember the previous ornaments placed on the tree. Everybody chants as the game progresses. You’ll catch on.

Let’s trim a tree for you and me
Let’s trim a tree for you and me
(Call a name out.) Eliana!
(Eliana adds an ornament) Reindeer!

Reindeer on the tree for you and me
Let’s trim a tree for you and me
(Call a name out.) Soleil!
(Soleil adds an ornament) Santa!

Santa and Reindeer
Reindeer on the tree for you and me
Let’s trim a tree for you and me
(Call a name out.) Dianne!
(Dianne adds an ornament) Lights!

Lights and Santa
Santa and Reindeer
Reindeer on the tree for you and me
Let’s trim a tree for you and me
(Call a name out.) Antonio!
(Antonio adds an ornament) Snowmen!

Snowmen and lights
Lights and Santa
Santa and Reindeer
Reindeer on the tree for you and me
Let’s trim a tree for you and me…

This goes on until the group leader (the one who started the game) decides the tree is full. Once the tree is full, yell, “STOP! Uh oh! The tree is falling over!” Make a crashing sound and then say, “Now we have to start over… Just kidding!” Chances are, the kids will want you to start over. It’s a fun family game that I created for my children, nieces and nephews. In addition to being fun, it tests their sequencing skills and ability to recall. So go ahead and start trimming the tree!

DIANNE’S KIDS MEDIA CONNECTION
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The Longest Christmas List Ever
By Gregg & Evan Spiridellis
ISBN-13: 978-142310193-2
ISBN-10: 142310193-6
Picture Book Ages 4-8
Trevor wakes up early Christmas morning and tears the wrapping paper off his gifts. He suddenly realizes that he missed asking Santa for something - a puppy. So right then and there, he begins next year's list. As the year passes, Trevor's list grows so long that it stretches all the way down Main Street to the post office door. When the postman tells Trevor his list is too long to send, he goes back home to shorten his list. When he rushes back to the post office, it is closed and he misses Santa's deadline. On Christmas morning, he wakes up sad, sure there will no presents under the tree. Much to his delight, a warm, fuzzy, waggly surprise awaits him. It seems his parents sent a letter to Santa and Trevor learns that "It takes love - not toys - to bring Christmas cheer." Fanciful rhyme and exuberant illustrations make this a superb holiday read aloud.

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Louisiana
By Jean Cassels
Illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath
ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-3814-2
ISBN-10: 1-4027-3814-5
Picture book Ages 4-8
Paul visits his cousin, Rosalie, in Louisiana. The visit begins on December 26 and ends on Twelfth Night (January 6, which begins the carnival season). Rosalie gives him a very special gift each day and Paul writes letters home, telling his parents about his fun adventure around the Pelican State. Jean Cassels, a New Orleans native, adapts the song, Twelve Day of Christmas.

“On the first day of Christmas, my cousin gave to me…
A pelican in a cypress tree.”

There are 2 baby gators, 3 marsh ducks, 4 riverboats (on the Mississippi), 5 golden horns (Jazz), 6 ghosts a-spooking (from the Myrtles Plantation), 7 secret treasures (Jean Lafitte the Pirate), 8 bottles of hot sauce (Tabasco), 9 Cajun crawfish, etc… Guess you’ll have to read the book to see how it ends! Cravath’s illustrations are fun and festive, evoking the feeling of Louisiana in vibrant color. The book ends with a little “lagniappe” (that means “extra”) – fun facts about Louisiana and famous Louisianans. This is a great book to introduce Louisiana. It belongs in every Louisiana classroom and library.
Note from Dianne: P.S. I did the research for the book. 

WONDERFUL WEBSITES
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” Visit these fun websites for some holiday cheer.

Northpole.com
Play games, find cookie recipes, read and hear stories, and even email Santa! This site is chock-full of holiday goodies. My daughters visit it constantly.
http://www.northpole.com

NORAD
NORAD stands for “North American Aerospace Defense Command.” This military organization offers a cool service every holiday season. They track Santa by radar! They offer their website in English, Spanish, French, Italian and German! You can even call on Christmas Eve, talk to a LIVE person, and get an update on Santa’s whereabouts. While you’re visiting the site, check out the cool games and fun activities.
http://www.noradsanta.org

Santa.com
Play games, create cards, listen to music, and even create a Christmas wish list. Fun!
http://www.santa.com

Claus.com
Check out your naughty or nice rating, play elf games, or print out an honorary elf certificate. Listen to original Christmas songs and watch a fully animated cartoon. It really does take a village. A village of elves at Claus.com!
http://www.claus.com

SELECT UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to find out where Dianne is performing? Check out Dianne’s continually updated performance calendar on her website at
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=calendar

WHERE CAN I FIND DIANNE’S RECORDINGS?
Dianne’s CDs, Jump, Jiggle & Jam ~ A Rhythmic Romp through Story Land, Jambalaya ~ Stories with Louisiana Flavor and World Fiesta ~ Celebrations in Story and Song are available at the following online retailers:

Dianne’s website http://www.storyconnection.net
CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com
Bathtub Music http://www.bathtubmusic.com
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com
Tower Records http://www.towerrecords.com

Major Catalogs:
Book Wholesalers, Inc (BWI) http://www.bwibooks.com
The Book House, Inc. http://www.thebookhouse.com
Follett Library Resources http://www.follett.com
Instructional Video http://www.insvideo.com
The AV Café http://www.theavcafe.com

ABOUT DIANNE DE LAS CASAS
Full of contagious energy, author and multi-award winning storyteller Dianne de Las Casas sizzles on stage with “traditional folklore gone fun!” and “revved-up storytelling!” Audiences don’t just listen – they sing, clap, chant and roar! Childhood travels around the world helped shape her future as a storyteller. Dianne lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Spain and traveled across Europe and the United States. Her varied cultural experiences nourish her imagination, and she continues to draw on that knowledge, adding depth and richness to her tales. Dianne travels internationally performing and presenting programs, workshops, educator/librarian professional development workshops, and artist residencies.

Thank you for subscribing to Story Connection Express.

Warmly,
Dianne

Dianne de Las Casas
The Story Connection
Author & Award-winning Storyteller
P.O. Box 2656
Harvey, LA 70059
(504) 368-1831
dianne@storyconnection.net
http://www.storyconnection.net

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"Connecting Kids and Learning Through the Arts"

Books:
The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Pelican Publishing Co., forthcoming)
The Story Biz Handbook (Libraries Unlimited, forthcoming)
Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Teacher Ideas Press, forthcoming)
Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take (Teacher Ideas Press, 2007)
Kamishibai Story Theater: The Japanese Art of Picture Telling (Teacher Ideas Press 2006)
Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts (Teacher Ideas Press 2005)
Telling Stories to Children (contributing author) (National Storytelling Press 2005)

Recordings:
Jump, Jiggle & Jam ~ A Rhythmic Romp through Story Land
2006 NAPPA Honors Award
2006 Children’s Music Web Award
Rave Review in School Library Journal (SLJ “Audio of the Week”)
Rave Review in Publisher’s Weekly
World Fiesta ~ Celebrations in Story and Song
2005 Children’s Music Web Award
Rave review in ALA Booklist
School Library Journal "Audio of the Week”
Jambalaya ~ Stories with Louisiana Flavor
2004 iParenting Media Award
2004 Children's Music Web Award
2005 Storytelling World Award for "The Ghost of Jean Lafitte"
Rave reviews in School Library Journal & AudioFile Magazine