New Releases by Tomie dePaola

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 Jamie O''Rourke''s wife leaves him alone for a week, it''s up to Jamie to do the housework. But Jamie isn''t just the laziest man in Ireland, he''s also the messiest! When a magical pooka arrives unexpectedly and starts to do the dishes and sweep the house, Jamie thinks that maybe he''s the luckiest man in Ireland as well. But will Jamie''s good fortune-and his pooka''s housekeeping-last? Young readers will be giggling through Tomie dePaola''s delightfully funny sequel to Jamie O''Rourke and the Big Potato. "DePaola''s jaunty storytelling pace and his snappy Irish phrases give this tale extra sparkle." Publishers Weekly, starred review

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower ofthe Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisitered stars lighting up the countryside. A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl''s unselfishgift to the Christ Child. Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own specialfeeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors ofMexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and thehope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.

This modern classic celebrates the individuality in all of us and the joy of artistic expression. 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!

Moffie and Morgie want to play hide-and-seek with their friends at recess. But no one can agree on the rules! Will they ever get to play? Find out in this silly Level 2 reader.

Tomie can''t believe that anything could be more exciting than moving to a new house. Then he finds out that a new baby is coming. Will it be a sister? That''s what Tomie hopes. While he is waiting for her to arrive, there is plenty to keep him busy, including tap dancing lessons and the tryouts for a play about Peter Rabbit. Once again, Tomie dePaola takes us back to his childhood and shares the funny personal memories that make us all wish we could grow up at 26 Fairmount Avenue too.

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.

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.

Tomie dePaola''s glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve.This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the clebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and a woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked.That night we witness a Christian miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Jospeh, wet footprints from the snow lead up to the statue.

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.

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.

Have a Strega Nona Fall as Tomie dePaola’s beloved and bestselling "grandmother witch" gets some friendly competition in this beloved addition to the series! Strega Nona has cures for warts and headaches, even lovesickness. She uses old-fashioned potions and magic and the villagers in Calabria flock to her door. But when her friend Strega Amelia comes over the mountain for a visit, she brings more than just gossip. Soon she''s set up her own shop, using the latest modern gadgets, offering sweets and cappuccino—to all of Strega Nona''s regulars! Looks like Strega Nona''s met her match, unless she can come up with a cure for Strega Amelia! "A pleasure to read aloud, this features the broad humor that young children relish."—Booklist

It''s a new school year, as William Everett Crocodile and his trusty friend and toothbrush, Pete, prepare for a class trip down the Nile. They''re ready for the mysterious Sphinx. They''re ready for mummies and pyramids. Their teacher, Ms. Ibis, has even promised them a glimpse of the priceless jewel called "the Sacred Eye of Isis." But are Bill and Pete ready for the Bad Guy, up to his usual no-good tricks? Come along on this fast-paced and funny adventure with Bill and Pete, and find out.

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.

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.

Tony dreams that one day he''ll become the most famous baker in northern Italy. His poor daughter Serafina wants to be allowed to marry. Each of their dreams seems far away until Angelo, a rich young nobleman from Milan, appears and devises a way to make everyone''s dreams come true.

Tommy''s so excited that his mom is having a baby, and he asks her for a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair. But he didn''t ask for stern Nana Fall-River to come while his mom is in the hospital. Tommy and Nana don''t get along very well, but when little Maureen is born, all the trouble is forgotten.

This favorite legend, based on Comanche lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, came to be. A "Reading Rainbow" Review Title, an American Bookseller #1 Pick of the List Book, Booklist Children''s Editors'' Choice, NCSS Notable Children''s Trade Book. Full color. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

"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

Five short "silent movies" include "Tooth Troubles, " "The Birthday Cake, " "Rhonda Rolls Along, " "The New Baby, " and "A Sleep-time Saga."