Tomie dePaola

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About Tomie dePaola

"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.
He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.
- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Patricia Polacco

Kevin Henkes

Cynthia Rylant

William Steig

Jan Brett

Robert McCloskey

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Books By Tomie dePaola

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Strega Nona Oct 4, 2011

by Tomie dePaola

( 1,010 )

$7.99

In this e-book edition, Tomie dePaola retells his classic story against a charming musical score.

Strega Nona—"Grandma Witch"—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical ever-full pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. Big Anthony is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden, but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, he recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio, Cassette , Board book

This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited.

The Knight and the Dragon Feb 3, 1998

by Tomie dePaola

( 559 )

$7.99

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight! "Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relate—a top springtime choice." —Booklist "There's a swirl of good-humored life to the book." —The New York Times Book Review

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Strega Nona's Magic Ring (A Strega Nona Book) Mar 27, 2018

by Tomie dePaola

( 29 )

$7.49

Big Anthony gets what he thinks he wants—but like usual, it causes him more trouble than he can handle in this beloved sequel to Tomie dePaola’s Caldecott Honor–winning Strega Nona.

Big Anthony has a case of spring fever and he needs a little Night Life to cheer him up!

But Big Anthony is afraid that if he goes to the village dance, no one will dance with him. So when Strega Nona goes away on a visit, Big Anthony borrows her magic ring, which turns him into a handsome stranger…

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Andy, That's My Name Oct 13, 2015

by Tomie dePaola

( 8 )

$10.99

A little kid who wants to play the big kids uses the alphabet and spelling to get his way in this classic story from Strega Nona author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, now featuring a new cover and refreshed artwork.

Andy may be the littlest kid on the block, but he’s very important. Andy has a wagon full of letters that spell his name, and he takes it with him wherever he goes. When the big kids decide that using Andy’s letters would be a lot of fun, Andy is left out of the game. But what can the big kids do if Andy takes his name and heads for home?

Originally published in 1973, this classic picture book from the legendary Tomie dePaola now features refreshed artwork and a new cover.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

Pancakes for Breakfast Apr 3, 1978

by Tomie dePaola

( 206 )

$5.99

This wordless picture book follows the trials of a little old lady who attempts to make pancakes for her breakfast. “The optimistic determination of the woman and the gentle humor of the illustrations make this an appealing book for the very young.” —School Library Journal

This title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades K-1, Stories).

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush Apr 16, 1996

by Tomie dePaola

( 122 )

$7.99

In spring, the hills and meadows of Texas and Wyoming are ablaze with the reds, oranges, and yellows of the Indian Paintbrush. How this striking plant received its name is told in an old Indian legend.

Many years ago, when the People traveled the Plains, a young Indian boy had a Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he would create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset. The boy grew up to become the painter of the tribe, but although he found a pure white buckskin for a canvas and made paints from the brightest flowers and the reddest berries, he could not capture the sunset.

How the young Indian artist finally fulfills his Dream-Vision is lovingly told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, in words and pictures that capture the spirit and beauty of this dramatic legend.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Audio, Cassette

Strega Nona's Harvest Aug 6, 2012

by Tomie dePaola

( 70 )

$7.99

A charming celebration of autumn's bounty by perennial favorite Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola's beloved Strega Nona is back in a colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons. With beautiful illustrations reminiscent of the artwork that won Tomie dePaola the Caldecott Honor for the original Strega Nona, this celebration of harvest and gardening will make the perfect addition to any Strega Nona collection.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

The Legend of the Bluebonnet Apr 16, 1996

by Tomie dePaola

( 182 )

$7.99

Thick clusters of vivid blue flowers, which resemble old-fashioned sunbonnets, cover the Texas hills in the springtime every year. These lovely wild flowers, known by the name of bluebonnet, are the state flower of Texas.

This favorite legend based on Comanche Indian lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet came to be. Tomie dePaola's powerful retelling and his magnificent full-color paintings perfectly capture the Comanche People, the Texas hills, and the spirit of She-Who-Is-Alone, a little girl who made a sacrifice to save her tribe.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio, Cassette

I'm Still Scared (26 Fairmount Avenue Book 6) Jun 14, 2007

by Tomie dePaola

( 9 )

$6.99

The latest installment in the Newbery Honor-winning series from Tomie dePaola

First-grader Tomie dePaola experiences uncertainty in the weeks following the attack on pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. What are the grown-ups talking quietly about at home and even at school? why does his class have to go to the spooky furnace room for an air raid drill? why does the family hang thick black curtains over the windows? Tomie's mother is there to comfort and explain the confusion, and Tomie feels better. but he's still scared.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

The Lady of Guadalupe Jun 18, 2013

by Tomie dePaola

( 23 )

$6.99

A gorgeously depicted story of the Lady of Guadalupe and her love for the people of Mexico
In stunning words and images, Tomie dePaola renders the beautiful story of the Mother of God appearing to an indigenous man in Mexico to teach true peace to the native people. In these visitations, the Lady of Guadalupe shows her great love for the Mexican people, and proves that culture need not be obliterated to bring the Christian faith to others. The beauty of the Lady’s love is reflected in dePaola’s spectacular watercolor illustrations.

This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

The Art Lesson (Paperstar Book) May 19, 1997

by Tomie dePaola

( 125 )

$7.99

Tommy knows he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He can't wait to get to school and have real art lessons. When Tommy gets to school and finds out that the art lessons are full of "rules", he is surprised and dismayed. How the wise art teacher finds a way to give Tommy the freedom to create and stay within the "rules" makes a wonderfully perceptive picture book about growing up and keeping one's individuality.

Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of many beloved books for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Strega Nona. Fans of all ages will be pleased to hear that The Art Lesson is, in fact, based on the artist's own experiences growing up, and offers a welcome glimpse into his past. This bright picture book is as covered with drawings as the walls of Tommy's parents' and grandparents' houses, and sends an inspirational message to budding artists and individualists. Break out the crayons!

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland Mar 5, 2013

by Tomie dePaola

( 162 )

$5.88

This beautifully illustrated book from the award-winning author of Strega Nona tells the story behind St. Patrick’s Day.

The story of Patrick’s life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the “dreams” that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith. DePaola also retells several well-known legends, including the story of how Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Full color.

This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback , Board book

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