MONDAY: Meet the Author Tomie dePaola

One of my all time, favorite authors, Tomie dePaola really knows what kids love.  His humorous style, adorable and captivating drawings and pictures talk of characters and circumstances not meant for our world.  Witches, spells, brews and magic are the world in which his characters live and make us laugh, both children and adults.  He was born an artist and spent his days as a child drawing and painting.  He's been published for over 40 years and has written and/or illustrated nearly 250 books, including Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Avenue, The Art Lesson, and Christmas Remembered. Over 15 million copies of his books have sold worldwide. (I'd call that a success story!)

	Photograph of Tomie dePaola and his dog, Brontë © by Julie Maris/Semel Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) is best known for his books for children. Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Smithson Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association and many, many other prestigious awards. Tomie dePaola lives in New London, New Hampshire, with his Airedale terrier, Brontë, and works in a renovated 200-year-old barn.
	All content and images copyright © Tomie dePaola. All rights reserved

	STREGA NONA’S GIFT Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola Full-color, Picture Book 32 Pages, 8 ¾” W x 11 ½” H Ages 5-8, K-Grade 3 Nancy Paulsen Books, New York, 2011 ISBN 978-0-399-25649-3
	From the Book’s Front Flap: “In Strega Nona’s village, the holiday season is a time of celebrations – and nothing says celebration like a feast! All the kitchens are bustling from the Feast of San Nicola in early December, when the children choose the food, to the Feast of Epiphany in January, when someone gets to be king or queen for the day. “Even the animals share in the holiday spirit, for there is one feast where the tradition is to cook for them. When Big Anthony smells the delicious treats Strega Nona is cooking up for her animals, he decides that just a taste couldn’t hurt, right? Wrong! Big Anthony gets his justdesserts, while Strega Nona surprises everyone with a special gift. “Starring two of Tomie dePaola’s best-loved characters, this funny story features beautiful art, introduces young readers to Italian holiday traditions, and lands Big Anthony in yet another silly predicament that will delight fans young and old.”
	MY FIRST LEGENDS: THE STORY OF BLUEBONNET Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola Full-color, Board Book 12 Pages, 7 ½” W x 8” H Ages 3-5, PreS-K Grosset & Dunlap, New York ISBN 978-0-448-45532-7 (Available Now)
	Publisher’s Note: “Tomie dePaola’s wonderful story of how one girl’s remarkable courage saved her people, and how the bluebonnet flower came to Texas is now available for young children! Adapted from the bestselling THE LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET, this board book features an appliqué on the cover and beautiful illustrations by Tomie dePaola.”
	LET THE WHOLE EARTH SING PRAISE Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola Full-color, Picture Book 32 Pages, 6 7/8” W x 8 3/8” H Ages 3-5 to Adult, PreS-K G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York ISBN 978-0-399-25478-9 (Available Now)
	Publisher’s Note: “This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and sky – from the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God’s creation in his folk art-style illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testament Scripture and artwork fashioned after the beautiful embroideries and designs of the Otomi people from the mountain villages around San Pablito, in Puebla, Mexico, this is a wonderful celebration for all to share.”

Funny Picture Book Suggestions

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems
Martha Speaks by Susan Meddagh
King Bidgood's In the Bathtub by Audrey Wood
Arthur's Underwear by Marc Brown
The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach
Howdi Do by Woody Guthrie and Vladimir Radunsky
Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
George and Martha stories by James Marshall
Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems
A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin HenkesSkippyjon Jones
Help Me Mr. Mutt by Janet Stevens
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin (Caldecott Honor)
Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin
T’was the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (any book by Henkes)
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night by Jane Yolen
Parts by Ted Arnold
I Stink by Kate McMullan is a big hit with the K-3 crowd.
Minnie and Moo series by Denys Cazet
Munsch books: Mud Puddle, Snowsuit, Stephanie's Ponytail, etc.
Taxi Cat and Huey by Gin LeRoy
Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street by Roni Schotter
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
All the "There was an Old Lady... books
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
Flotsam by David Wiesner
Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini
Bad Boys by Margie Palatini
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
Charlie and Lola series, by Lauren Child
Birdie's Big Girl Shoes by Sujean Rim
Verdi by Janell Canon
Spookly, the Square Pumpkin
Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Pout, Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

The Alexander books by Judith Viorst
-Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
-Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
-Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move

The Pirate books by Colin McNaughton
-Jolly Roger and the Pirates of Captain Abdul
-Captain Abdul's Pirate School
-Captain Abdul's Little Treasure

Melanie Watt's Books
-Scaredy Squirrel
-Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend
-Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
-Scaredy Squirrel at Night
-Chester
-Chester's Back!
-Chester's Masterpiece

Margie Palatini's Books
-Moosetache
-Mooseltoe
-Moosekitos
-Bedhead
-Sweet Tooth
-Gorgonzola
-Earthquack!

Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin Books
-Diary of a Worm
-Diary of a Fly
-Diary of a Spider
-Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type
-Duck for President
-Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure

David Shannon Books
-A Bad Case of Stripes
-Duck on a Bike
-Good Boy, Fergus!
-Too Many Toys
-How I Became a Pirate
-Pirates Don't Change Diapers
-Pirates Don't Babysit
-No, David!
-David Goes to School
-David Gets in Trouble
-Oh, David!

Crunch Munch Dinosaur Lunch by Paul Bright