Touring internationally, author and award-winning Storyteller Dianne de Las Casas sizzles on stage with "traditional folklore gone fun!" Audiences don't just listen – they sing, clap, dance, chant, and roar with laughter. Dianne adapts traditional folklore, adding fun audience participation, song, and of course, humor. A dramatic storyteller, she does not stay still! Through the use of character voices, creative movement, and animated facial expressions and gestures, she creates a world of fantasy and enchantment. Dianne has a magical connection with her young audiences, engaging them in playful dramatization and active involvement in her programs. It is that special connection with her audiences that she cherishes. Dianne says, "I love it when I see the children singing, wiggling and giggling along. Not only does it show that they are engaged and using their imaginations. It demonstrates good old-fashioned fun!"

Storytelling came naturally for Dianne. At nine years old, she often told spooky stories to her younger brother. But it wasn't until she was "grown-up" that she caught the story fever. Dianne says, "I have always loved stories and grew up immersed in books. I always knew that I wanted to write books for children and I knew this as a young child. What I didn't know was that storytelling would not only take me there but it was the vehicle through which I would really learn how to 'make' a good story, both orally and eventually, in print." Volunteering as a storyteller on Saturdays at her local library, Dianne fell in love with the art and honed her skills. With the encouragement of Andrea Taylor, the children's librarian, and the support of her family, Dianne began exploring a career as a professional storyteller.

With a father in the military, childhood travels around the world also contributed to shaping her future as an author and storyteller. Dianne lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, Spain and traveled across Europe and the United States. Her varied cultural experiences nourished her imagination, and she continues to draw on that knowledge, adding depth and richness to her tales. Always an avid reader, de Las Casas often spent her time living within the pages of a book. Her favorite books were a series called My Bookhouse, a treasury of stories from around the world. This love of children's literature was fostered at an early age, a love Dianne continues to carry with her and a love she aspires to instill in today's children.

When Dianne entered junior high school, her life changed when she entered the classroom of a very special English teacher, Karleen Good. "In my 7^th grade English class, Mrs. Good did something extraordinary. She read out loud, nearly every day. Language took on a whole new meaning for me and became an intrinsic part of me. I fell in love with words both on paper and in the air." Over the years, Dianne and Mrs. Good kept in touch and her book, Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill was dedicated to this very special teacher.

Dianne's work as an author and storyteller centers around the importance of literacy and "Together Time," grown-ups spending time with children. Parents, teachers and librarians have a special place in Dianne's heart and her work reflects this. "Grown-ups are role models for children. It is from us – parents, teachers, librarians and other community members – that children learn. It indeed takes 'a village to raise a child.' We should all think of ourselves as a team, working together to help our children succeed. When a child reads, he can construct his own future and a better future for generations to come."

Dianne is the author of Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts (Teacher Ideas Press; 2005), Kamishibai Story Theater: The Art of Picture Telling (Teacher Ideas Press; 2006), Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take (Libraries Unlimited; 2008) Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle (Teacher Ideas Press; 2008), The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Libraries Unlimited; 2008), The Cajun Cornbread Boy (Pelican Publishing; 2009), Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill (Libraries Unlimited; 2009), Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales (Libraries Unlimited; 2010) Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach (Pelican Publishing; Fall 2009), Mama's Bayou (Pelican Publishing; Spring 2010); The Gigantic Sweet Potato (Pelican Publishing; Fall 2010); Tell Along Tales: Playing with Participation Stories (Libraries Unlimited; 2010) and Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (Libraries Unlimited; forthcoming).

Her debut CD, Jambalaya ~ Stories with Louisiana Flavor, won an iParenting Media Award, a Children's Music Web Award, and a Storytelling World Honor. In addition, Jambalaya received a rave reviews in School Library Journal, AudioFile Magazine, Kidzmusic.com, and Georgia Family Magazine. Her second CD, World Fiesta, won a Children's Music Web Award and received a rave review in ALA Booklist and was selected by School Library Journal as "Audio of the Week." Booklist says, "De Las Casas' commanding voice, unique characterizations, emotive vocalizations, and creative methods of reaching out to her audience are most engaging." Her latest CD, Jump, Jiggle & Jam ~ A Rhythmic Romp Through Story Land, won a NAPPA Honors, Children's Music Web Award, and rave reviews in School Library Journal and Publisher's Weekly.

Dianne performs arts-in-education programs and residencies at schools, libraries, festivals, museums, and special events. Interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Dianne is a sought-after national speaker and workshop leader. She is an enthusiastic advocate of literacy and arts-in-education programming. Dianne de Las Casas continues to make the story connection with thousands of children, parents, educators and librarians every year, reaching and teaching through the art of storytelling.