New Releases by Tomie Depaola

Families will treasure this story of intergenerational love and understanding as they watch young and old face challenges and learn together. Readers of all ages will love to watch Grandpa Bob teach Bobby to walk, and how Bobby returns the favor when Bob has a stroke, all in beautifully rich full color. This touching story about a young boy coping with his grandfather''s disability has long been one of Tomie dePaola''s most popular picture books. Now, for the first time, it is available in a larger format, full-color edition—perfect for family sharing.

Strega Nona Takes A Vacation

At the request of a kind duke''s loving daughter, La Colomba, a pure white bird, braves the bitter winter of the northern Italian mountains to sing for the gravely ill man.

When the twins start to play tee ball, they learn the importance of practice.

The author relates memories from one year of his childhood, including his sixth birthday, trick-or-treating for Halloween, a bout of chicken pox, and the Christmas holiday.

Everyone needs vacation, so Tomie dePaola''s best-selling and beloved "grandmother witch" heads to the seashore! Lately Strega Nona has been distracted. She even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. Then one night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola''s exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other. Please note that the majority of this text is in English, with Spanish vocabulary throughout.

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

The third in a series of DePaola''s memoirs vividly recounts the (mostly) serene days between the end of kindergarten and beginning of first grade.

Fans of dePaola''s kindly Strega Nona will love this charming look at the early days of her good-hearted but clumsy helper, Big Anthony. Full color.

A Newbery Honor Book Tomie''s family starts building their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in 1938, just as a hurricane hits town, starting off a busy, crazy year. Tomie has many adventures all his own, including eating chocolate with his Nana Upstairs, only to find out--the hard way--that they have eaten chocolate laxative. He tries to skip kindergarten when he finds out he won''t learn to read until first grade. "I''ll be back next year," he says. When Tomie goes to see Snow White, he creates another sensation. Tomie dePaola''s childhood memories are hilarious, and his charming illustrations are sure to please. "A thoroughly entertaining and charming story."—School Library Journal "DePaola successfully evokes the voice of a precocious, inquisitive five-year-old everyone would want to befriend. Charming black-and-white illustrations animate the scenes and add a period flare, including a photo album-like assemblage of the characters'' portraits at the book''s start."—Publishers weekly

Introduces the ten most common types of clouds, the myths that have been inspired by their shapes, and what they can tell about coming weather changes.

Find out how Strega Nona became her wonderful self with the entertaining life story of Tomie dePaola''s beloved "grandmother witch." Everyone is curious about Strega Nona, so she''s telling her own story, every detail just as she remembers it—from her childhood with Grandma Concetta, who trained young Nona and her best friend Amelia, to her early days in the little house on the hill and the happy moments when she met Big Anthony and Bambolona. It is the story of a most fascinating life that has influenced and delighted countless children and adults all over the world, and it all starts with the night Strega Nona was born, when the wind was blowing dark storm clouds across the hills . . . It''s no surprise that award-winning author and artist Tomie dePaola was Strega Nona''s choice as her biographer and portraitist, for he has put into books many stories that she has shared with him over the years, including Strega Nona (a Caldecott Honor Book), Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation, Strega Nona''s Harvest, Strega Nona''s Gift, and Strega Nona Does It Again. Strega Nona''s reaction when shown this book was, "Bravissimo, mio caro Tomie!"

Presenting a delightful collection of children''s favorite Mother Goose rhymes, illustrated with full-color paintings by Tomie dePaola. Young readers and their parents will enjoy meeting up with familiar friends, including Old King Cole, Little Bo-Peep, Jack and Jill, and many more in a book that is sure to be a story-hour favorite.

Little Jane Allison Crocodile has been kidnapped by the Bad Guy''s Big Bad Brother from Louisiana! Stowing away on a ship bound for New Orleans, Bill and his bird buddy, Pete, head to the rescue. But when Pete gets caught by the Rich Lady, it''s up to Bill to save the day. Kids and parents everywhere will love Tomie dePaola''s hilarious story featuring the Egyptian pair''s first visit to the United States.

Classic collection of nursery rhymes. 2-5 yrs.

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside. This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl''s unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Beloved Newbery honor-winning author and Caldecott honor-winning illustrator Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.

A hilarious read-aloud inspired by Irish folklore that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, featuring colorful artwork in Tomie dePaola’s signature style. Jamie O''Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland, far too lazy to help his wife on their farm. Then, after a chance encounter with a leprechaun, Jamie finds himself growing the biggest potato in the world. But what will happen when the potato grows too large for Jamie and the villagers to handle?

Tomie dePaola has created two memorable friends in this wonderfully funny picture book. Bill, the crocodile, and Pete, his "toothbrush" bird friend, were inspired by the Egyptian plover, which does indeed act as a crocodile toothbrush. Their adventures together along the banks of the River Nile, which include Bill''s first day at crocodile school and an encounter with the Bad Guy from Cairo, are filled with the originality and offbeat humor of this favorite author-artist.

When a killing drought threatens the existence of the tribe, a courageous little Comanche girl sacrifices her most beloved possession--and the Great Spirit''s answer results not only in much needed rain but a very special gift in return. "An ideal complement to Native American and Texas studies..."Booklist

Long ago and without fail, three characters brought delight to audiences: the pantalooned Pierrot; Columbine, ever saucy and adroit; and Harlequin her lover, full of good natured drolleries and amusing tricks. From the legacy left by French pantomime and the Italian commedia dell''arte, this original story in pictures has been fashioned, with a special kind of ending to transcend time. The words, as in all mime, are in the eyes of the listener.

Since its original publication in 1985, Tomie dePaola’s Mother Goose has become a staple on children’s bookshelves everywhere, and features over two hundred Mother Goose rhymes charmingly illustrated by one of today’s most beloved artists. This special anniversary edition includes a framable print with brand-new art and an author’s note from Tomie, and is sure to continue as a family favorite for generations to come.

The giant statue that has always stood in front of the Church of San Sepolcro in Barletta is called upon to save the town from an army of a thousand men that is destroying all the towns and cities along the lower Adriatic coast.

"The simple strains of this old Christmas melody are superbly reflected in the graceful, delicate, yet strong images that dePaola brings to the page....A Christmas remembrance to be long treasured." -- Booklist (starred review)"Beautiful." -- The Horn Book"Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of design, color, and layout." -- School Library Journal

When Big Anthony borrows Strega Nona''s magic ring to turn himself into a handsome man, he gets more trouble than fun.

Discusses the composition of quicksand and rescue procedures.