Special Collections

Celebrating Tomie dePaola

Description: Beloved children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola has delighted children for decades with over 260 books. Read some of his stories here. #kids


Showing 1 through 10 of 10 results

The Mysterious Giant of Barletta

by Tomie DePaola

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.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Pancakes for Breakfast

by Tomie DePaola

This wordless picture book follows the trials of a little old lady who attempts to make pancakes for her 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

This title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades K-1, Stories).

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Cookie's Week

by Cindy Ward and Tomie DePaola

One of Tomie's most popular young picture books, this charming story about Cookie the cat makes a perfect board book. With its bright watercolor illustrations and one sentence of text per page, toddlers will love following Cookie through the days of the week--and seeing all the trouble he causes around the house!

Date Added: 03/31/2020


26 Fairmount Avenue

by Tomie Depaola

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.

Newbery Medal Honor book

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Strega Nona

by Tomie DePaola

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

Strega Nona—"Grandma Witch"—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Charlie Needs a Cloak

by Tomie DePaola

A Shepherd shears his sheep, cards and spins the wool, weaves and dyes the cloth, and sews a beautiful new red cloak.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Here We All Are

by Tomie Depaola

In a wonderfully warm and funny sequel to 26 Fairmount Avenue, Tomie takes us back into his childhood home as he helps the family get ready for the new baby. Along the way are funny school experiences such as "revenge" at not getting to play Peter Rabbit in the school play because he talks too much, becoming a star at Miss Leah's Dance School, having to eat Nana Fall-River's "sewer-pipe" macaroni, and missing his mom when she goes to the hospital to have the baby. Favorite characters from 26 Fairmount Avenue as well as from his "autobiographical" picture books, Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs, The Baby Sister and Tom make appearances here. Another winning chapter book.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


Fin M'Coul

by Tomie De Paola

An ALA Notable Children's Book, Fin's wife saves him from the most feared giant in Ireland. This fixed-layout ebook preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


The Kids' Cat Book

by Tomie De Paola

This warmly illustrated picture book is full cats--and lots of cat facts! Did you know that: - Some cats do not have tails? - The ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as gods? - Some cats have curly hair, like poodles? Even their whiskers are curly! Granny Twinkle knows everything there is to know about cats. When Patrick visits to pick out a free kitten, he ends up knowing everything, too. After you read this picture book by Tomie de Paola, you'll know a lot about cats! This is a fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.

Date Added: 03/31/2020


When Everyone Was Fast Asleep

by Tomie DePaola

In this magically illustrated picture book by Tomie dePaola, the Fog Maiden enchants the night for two small childrenIn 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.

Date Added: 03/31/2020



Showing 1 through 10 of 10 results