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 forhis 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 Associationcopyright 2000 by
Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
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 forhis 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 Associationcopyright 2000 by
Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
"Fans of Strega Nona and her bumbling helper will delight in this
funny tale. . . . Infused with warm Italian flavor and decorated
with dePaola's signature charming illustrations, this is a holiday
selection that readers will savor." — School Library Journal
"Glowing watercolors in warm Mediterranean colors. . . . Community,
piety, ritual, and food: Strega Nona and Tomie dePaola know exactly
what Christmas is all about." — The Horn Book
"A lively story. . . . Kids will enjoy the mischief and the
turnarounds, shown with gentle humor in the joyful
acrylic-and-watercolor pictures filled with food, singing, and
dancing." — Booklist
"DePaola delivers a hearty sampler of Italian holiday traditions
and seasonal cuisine." — Publishers Weekly
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