A frequent presenter at the International Reading Association, American Library Association, and other education/library conferences, Dianne’s professional development sessions are hands-on, interactive, educational and just plain fun. Dianne shares her professional expertise in her inimitable energetic style, captivating audiences around the world.

"Dianne de Las Casas enthusiastically told stories and very clearly instructed us to make cut, fold and string stories. Everyone became a better storyteller and will return to their libraries with a treasury of stories, songs and rhymes."

"Wonderful! * Fantastic! Great presenter! * Inspirational! * Excellent. Totally useful and applicable. Most useful session I've attended for sure!"

"Dianne is an exceptional presenter. I would attend any session she gives. She is talented, entertaining and patient. What a teacher!!"

– "Handmade Tales" Workshop Evaluation Comments from attendees at the American Library Association Conference 2008

Dianne presenting for teachers at the
International Reading Association-Guam Council, Guam, U.S.A.

Order Dianne's Titles from Libraries Unlimited NOW!

Dianne demonstrating "Catching a Pest" Draw-n-Tell

Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take
Audience: Teachers (Gr. PK-5), Librarians, & Storytellers

In this “hands-on” workshop, participants will learn tales that use hands as an active part of the telling: string stories, draw and tell, cut and tell, paper tales (fold and tell, roll books, paper fortune teller tales), hand stories and finger plays, and other tales (handkerchiefs, napkins, and towels). Limit 100 participants. Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take is a title with Libraries Unlimited (December 2007). 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Kamishibai Story Theater: The Japanese Art of Picture Telling
Audience: Teachers (Gr. 3-8) & Librarians

Kamishibai is the Japanese art of telling with pictures. Dianne will guide participants in telling stories from Asia with self-illustrated story cards. The workshop culminates in a collective performance of a Kamishibai story by the workshop participants. An amazing collaborative process, this workshop brings out the creativity in each participant. Limit 100 participants. Kamishibai Story Theater: The Japanese Art of Picture Telling is a title with Teacher Ideas Press (September 2006). Host to provide poster board and crayons/markers for the activity. 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Ohio Children’s Librarians presenting "The Mouse's Wedding" Kamishibai Story Theater

Scared Silly
Audience: Teachers (Gr. K-6) & Librarians

Through Dianne’s signature audience participation storytelling techniques, teachers and librarians will explore the anatomy of a scary story, learn techniques for telling to all ages, and take home several ready-made tales that tickle and thrill. This workshop is also great for parents and camp counselors. Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill is a title with Teacher Ideas Press (forthcoming). A complete handout is provided. Limit 100 participants 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Story Fest: Reading Comprehension Through Story Theater
Audience: Teachers (Gr. 2-6) & Librarians

Through Dianne’s innovative story theater scripts designed for whole classroom participation, creative movement, drama, and rhythm instruments, teachers and librarians will explore storytelling and collectively create a performance masterpiece! Fast-paced and fun! The technique is easily implemented in the classroom or library. Limit 100 participants. Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts is a title with Teacher Ideas Press (November 2005). 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Teachers presenting "Country Mouse and City Mouse" Story Theater

Teachers in the Philippines create a board game from the story, "The Tortoise and the Hare."

Stories on Board: Creating Board Games from Favorite Tales
Audience: Teachers (Gr. K-6) & Librarians

Hands-on and interactive, the Stories on Board! workshop will have participants creating fun board games with adapted tales from around the world. Working in groups, participants will select their favorite folktales, storymap, and turn the stories into colorful board games they will play, integrating language arts, math, and social studies. Limit 100 participants 90 min. - 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Story Safari
Audience: Teachers (Gr. PK-12)/Librarians/Storytellers/General Public

Get wild about storytelling! Using stories from around the world, Dianne will take participants on a journey into storytelling. Participants will step inside the creative process and explore the basics of story development and telling. This interactive and engaging workshop is sure to inspire! Limit 100 participants. 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Teachers in the Philippines cutting Tangrams

Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Puzzle
Audience: Teachers (Gr. K-6) & Librarians

Through Dianne's signature story theater technique developed for whole classroom participation, teachers and librarians will explore the Tangram, an ancient Chinese puzzle. Combining math and storytelling with geometric manipulatives, the workshop content can be tailored to succeed with all grades. Participants will work with Tangrams and create a Tangram story theater. The fun and inspiring technique is easily implemented in the classroom or library. A complete handout includes reproducibles. Limit 100 participants 75 min. – 3 hrs. Tangram Tales: Story Theater with the Ancient Chinese Puzzle is a title with Teacher Ideas Press (December 2008)

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.

Tell Along Tales: Playing with Participation Stories
Audience: Teachers (Gr. PK-3), Librarians, & Storytellers

Shake, Rattle & Play! Using movement, chants, songs, and rhythm instruments, participants will explore how to play with stories using audience participation. Don’t expect to stay seated in this workshop! Participants will leave with a handful of tales they can adapt for audience participation. Limit 100 participants. 75 min. – 3 hrs.

BOOK DIANNE! Check her AVAILABILITY and FEES.