Classroom Close-up
Reviewed by Tiffany Flowers, Assistant Professor of Education at Georgia Perimeter College
My first picture book, The Cajun Cornbread Boy published in 2009, holds a special place in my heart. The Cajun cornbread boy runs through the bayou, sprinting past hungry animals who would like to sample such a tasty treat. People still come up to me to tell me they love this book and share it with their children and grandchildren.
Cinderellaphant is another one of my favorite books. I have been obsessed with Cinderella since I was a little girl. I researched this book by visiting the University of Southern Mississippi which has the country’s largest collection of Cinderella books called “The Cinderella Project.” To make the story fresh and new for Cinderellaphant, I created animal characters, and used a lot of onomatopoeia and word play. Older readers love the puns and idioms while younger readers enjoy the whimsical, bright illustrations by Stefan Jolet. The book also has the underlying message that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
(You can find descriptions of
Dianne’s other books on her website, www.diannedelascasas.com.)
Tell us about the process you use to write a book.
Every book is different. For example, when I wrote Dinosaur Mardi Gras, I was completely obsessed with dinosaurs. I researched dinosaurs and included some obscure ones like the Iguanodon, who wiggles to the music of a marching band and the Zigongosaurus, who dances zydeco. My publisher suggested changing names to more common ones, but the KIDS knew those names. I wanted children to learn new dinosaurs. Teachers tell me that sometimes the students have to pronounce the dinosaur names for them!
My books are very much influenced by the culture of southern Louisiana where I live. I enjoy living in Louisiana, my adopted home state, and I consider myself a cultural ambassador. Several of my books, Mama’s Bayou, for example, are set in southern Louisiana. There is no simple answer to how you write a story – you just write! Children’s
author Jane Yolen refers to it as BIC – Butt In Chair. Get your thoughts down first and then go back to revise AFTER your thoughts are recorded. I started writing Dinosaur Mardi Gras in a bookstore, on lined paper in longhand. I got the idea and did not want to lose it, so I got busy writing, right there in that bookstore.
by Glenda Nugent
“You can’t build LEADERS if you don’t build READERS.” Dianne De Las Casas
An Interview with Dianne de Las Casas – Motivating Readers with a Sparkling Spirit
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