The Missouri Reader Vol. 41, Issue 1 | Page 59

Remembering Dianne de Las Casas, Founder of Picture Book Month

By Glenda Nugent

Dianne de Las Casas, a friend of the Missouri State Council and contributor to The Missouri Reader, was killed in a house fire on August 21 in Harvey, LA. She was an author, storyteller, and founder of Picture Book Month. Dianne was the author of more than two dozen books, including The Cajun Cornbread Boy and The Gigantic Sweet Potato (both Pelican, 2008, 2010). She recently started a publishing company, Write Hook Media, John Couret to focus on antibullying.

Many friends and family members have expressed their love and admiration for Dianne on social media. Here is just a sample of the tributes to Dianne:

She will be remembered as the life of the party, the diva, the artistic and very creative person, the organizer, the loving mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and a lot more things, too many to mention. -- Josie Chretien, her mother

She had a sparkle that could light up a room and captivate whoever she met. -- Joyce Wan, author and illustrator

The Winter 2016 issue of The Missouri Reader featured an interview with

Dianne de Las Casas on pg 22:

https://view.joomag.com/the-missouri-reader-vol-40 issue-2/0861777001474577784

"Dianne de Las Casas SPARKLES! Her passion for reading and her bubbly personality shine and sparkle for anyone who comes in contact with her when she tells her stories or whenever a reader picks up one of her books…. Not only does she write the books, she makes them come alive by presenting them to adults and children. Author and award-winning storyteller Dianne de Las Casas sparkles on stage with “traditional folklore gone fun!” Dianne adapts traditional folklore and draws her audiences into the fun.”

-- The Missouri Reader

November is

Picture Book Month.

Honor Dianne by celebrating Picture Book Month in her memory

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