New Releases by Tomie Depaola

A perfect first Christmas book This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird''s-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields--not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agree that they must find this wondrous thing, and off they fly to the stable where a child has been born. In simple language and dazzling pictures, beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola shares the awe and anticipation of the first Christmas. His cast of brightly colored, curious birds will appeal to young children, making this a perfect introduction to the story of Christmas.

Five starred reviews! “A gentle delight, simultaneously honoring both the dog dePaola lost and the artist we lost in turn.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) This touching story about love, loss, and remembrance in the wake of losing a beloved pet is the final completed book written by beloved creator Tomie dePaola, with art by award-winning illustrator Barbara McClintock. Where are you, Brontë? The day you left me, I knew I would miss you. And I did. Every day, every night. But then, I knew you were right here, still with me, in my heart forever. Children’s book legend Tomie dePaola tells the emotional and deeply personal story about overcoming his grief after the loss of his beloved dog, Brönte.

Staying behind when their circus moves on, a young clown and a troupe of baby animals put on a special Christmas Eve show for an Italian village too poor to celebrate the holiday.

From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a witty and charming Christmas tale about Santa getting ready for his big night until…oh no, he’s really got to GO...to the potty! Hurry, Santa! No time to rest, It’s Christmas Eve. And time to get dressed! It’s finally time for Santa to prepare for the most magical night of the year! But before he can spread Christmas cheer to every boy and girl, he must hurry up and get ready. Just when he’s almost out the door, Santa runs back inside because OH NO! Santa’s got to GO! Little ones will be chuckling with merry laughter when they find out that even Santa needs to go to the potty!

Tomie dePaola’s rambunctious 2004 classic returns to print just in time for the holiday season! With its brightly colored illustrations, playful narration, and seasonal cheer, this picture book is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. There’s Uncle Alfred the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, and from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant, it’s a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time—even the frazzled hosts!

You see, clouds are fun, silly, and very interesting. Tomie dePaola—best-selling author of Strega Nona, Quiet, and many others—knows a lot about clouds. He also knows a lot about what people think of them. Some people see animals and pictures in clouds. The ancient Greeks believed that Hermes, the messenger of the gods, once stole the sun''s cattle, which were clouds. In this unique picture book, Tomie introduces some of the most common types of clouds, as well as the myths and legends inspired by their shapes. Simple, whimsical illustrations show the variations in shape and color that herald changes in the weather. This book will tell you many things about clouds we bet you didn''t know. Filled with his signature humor and gentle illustrations, Tomie dePaola''s approach to nonfiction is like no other. A Reading Rainbow book.

In this whimsical classic picture book, Tomie dePaola delivers a sweet depiction of a child’s imagination and all the things that go bump in the night. To stay up past bedtime, you’ve got to fight the night. Flashlight in hand, a determined Ronald sets out to battle sleep in this refreshed edition of Tomie dePaola’s spirited 1968 picture book.

From New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tomie dePaola comes an adorable springtime story about fifteen bunnies who are planting a garden! Spring is here! That means it’s time for the Hopkins family to plant their beautiful gardens. But when fifteen eager rabbits try to dig, rake, plant, and water at the same time, will any work get done? From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a charming story about what happens when you have too many bunnies, perfectly suited in a gifty board book.

From New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tomie dePaola comes an adorable story about little lambs getting their spring haircuts! Winter is finally over! That means it’s time for the Woolsey lambs to get their spring haircuts! They can’t wait to have fun in the warm sun. But the next morning, the fields are covered in snow, and the newly shorn sheep are shivering! Luckily, Granny has the perfect surprise for the family in this delightful story from award-winning author Tomie dePaola, packaged in a gifty board book edition.

Quicksand bringing you down? Kids will love this very funny science book. When Jungle Girl falls into some quicksand and starts slowly sinking, Jungle Boy arrives quickly-- and takes the opportunity to tell her how it is formed, what it is made of, and how to get out of it, demonstrating with charts and graphs. Meanwhile, Jungle Girl sinks lower... and lower... But before the book ends, the tables turn and Jungle Girl gets her revenge! This hilarious introduction to an unusual phenomenon from the bestselling author-illustrator of Quiet, Strega Nona, and many others is includes instructions for making your own quicksand-- as well as tips on how to escape if you''re as unlucky as Jungle Girl. Boldly-illustrated nonfiction with a strong sense of humor, this classic picture book is equal parts science lesson and entertainment.

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…

This beautiful new edition of Tomie dePaola’s 1978 classic retelling of a French legend stars a little juggler whose unique talent leads him to what might be a Christmas miracle. Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle. The people of Sorrento marvel at his talents, and before long, he becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the nobility and townspeople alike. But as the years pass, Giovanni grows old, and his talents begin to fail him. No longer a celebrated performer, he is once again poor and homeless, begging for his food. Until one Christmas Eve, when Giovanni picks up his rainbow of colored balls once more. And what happens next just might be a miracle…

In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child. Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep. But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her world will never be the same.

This beautiful edition of Tomie dePaola’s progressive 1979 classic stars a special little boy who won’t give up on the dreams that make him unique. Oliver Button is a sissy. At least that’s what the other boys call him. But here’s what Oliver Button really is: a reader, and an artist, and a singer, and a dancer, and more. What will his classmates say when he steps into the spotlight?

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.

A bird-loving boy sets out to solve a pollution problem in this classic eco-conscious tale from Strega Nona author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. Michael is a young boy who loves birds. Every morning he puts on his bird suit and does his work in the countryside, until one day an ominous black cloud appears. What could be causing the black cloud? When Michael discovers that an artificial honey factory is to blame, he comes up with a very sweet solution; one that will keep everyone healthy, including his beloved birds—and the environment. Originally published in 1975, this classic picture book from the legendary Tomie dePaola now features refreshed artwork and a new cover.

Passover is a time for families and friends to celebrate their faith and shared history. Tomie dePaola’s simple text and beautiful illustrations provide insight into this special holiday for young readers.

The importance of family and sharing are beautifully shown in this book all about Easter celebrations. Tomie dePaola’s bright illustrations and easy-to-follow text explain the traditions associated with this special holiday.

In this magically illustrated picture book by Tomie dePaola, the Fog Maiden enchants the night for two small children In this poetic fantasy, two small children are awakened by Token, the Fog Maiden’s mysterious cat, and sent into the enchanted night. In the course of their adventure, they meet an elf horse, share warm milk and honey with trolls, and attend an extravagant ball at the palace, where they watch a play with the king and queen. As night draws to a close, the Fog Maiden floats them back to their beds and kisses them asleep. The Fog Maiden’s dream world is enhanced by exquisite full-color illustrations that will stir young imaginations. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.

A stunning picture-book interpretation of the legend of St. Christopher Because of his stature, Reprobus the giant sets off to serve the most powerful ruler in the world. At one point during his travels, the giant uses his impressive strength to carry travelers across a fast-flowing river. One stormy night, he risks his life to help a small child across. With each step, the river rises higher, the wind blows harder, and his passenger grows heavier. Finally safe on the other side, the child reveals that he is Jesus, and renames Reprobus “Christopher,” or “Bearer-of-Christ.” Stunning illustrations accompany the dramatic text in this picture book portrayal of the legend of Christopher. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.

Beautifully drawn illustrations pair with great storytelling in this glimpse into the life of Francis of Assisi In lively prose and folksy paintings, Tomie dePaola gives a glimpse into the life of Francis of Assisi. After witnessing his father disrespect a beggar, Francis comes to forsake his worldly possessions and travel from village to village helping the poor and sheltering animals. dePaola’s recognizable artistic style and episodic telling of events in the life of Francis are accessible to young readers, and the humble tales of the lives of the saints are told with tenderness and reverence. This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Tomie dePaola''s classic wordless picture book is just as fun as a serving of pancakes for breakfast! Missing ingredients and mischievous pets create one humorous complication after another for a little old lady determined to make pancakes for breakfast. Fans of such favorites as Strega Nona will love Pancakes for 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

Moffie is ten minutes older than Morgie and she likes to control every situation. It''s time for Moffie to let her twin brother be Boss for a Day, but first she''ll have to show him how.

At harvest time, this beloved “grandmother witch” shares the bounty of the season! In this humorous tale, Strega Nona attempts to teach Big Anthony about gardening and the importance of orderly planting. But when Big Anthony does not follow her directions and uses her growing spell, his small vegetable patch turns into an unruly jungle! What will they do with all the extra vegetables? 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.

Tomie dePaola’s simple text and bright illustrations perfectly capture the joy of this special holiday. Young readers will love learning more about the traditional celebrations of the day.

The latest addition to the Newbery Honor award-winning 26 Fairmount Avenue series. World War II is raging in Europe, and Tomie finds that life has changed in many ways. Now he has to wear an extra sweater to school because they?re trying to conserve coal. Then tragedy brings the war home to the dePaola family, and all Tomie can do is ask ?Why?? Just as he did in I?m Still Scared, the first installment of The War Years, Tomie dePaola touchingly illuminates the emotional confusion of a child?s life during wartime.

After Jesus of Nazareth was baptized, he began his public life, and he performed many miracles. Inspired by Romanesque art, Tomie dePaola brings the New Testament to life as he retells the stories of twelve miracles in the Bible. The Miracles of Jesus begins with "the Wedding at Cana," the first miracle, when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast. This is followed by other miracles Jesus performed, such as his calming of a storm, walking on water, and raising the dead to life. This delightful collection filled with memorable illustrations is perfect for sharing and reading aloud.

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.

Well-loved author Tomie dePaola brings his childhood memories to audio in this collection of the first four books from his 26 Fairmount Avenue series.