Biography of Childrens Author Tomie dePaola

Biography of Children's Author Tomie dePaola Tomie dePaola  is acclaimed as an award-winning childrens author and illustrator, with more than  200  books  to his credit. In addition to illustrating all of these books, dePaola is also the author of more than a quarter of them. In his art, his stories, and his interviews, Tomie dePaola comes across as a man filled with a love of humanity and joie de vivre. Early Life By the age of four, Tomie dePaola  knew he wanted to be an artist. At the age of 31, dePaola illustrated his first picture book. Since 1965, he has published at least one book a year, and  generally four to six books annually. Much of what we know about Tomie dePaolas early life comes from the authors own books. In fact, he his series of beginning chapter books is based on his childhood. Known as 26 Fairmount Avenue books, they include 26 Fairmount Avenue, which received a 2000 Newbery Honor Award, Here We All Are, and On My Way. Tomie came from a loving family of Irish and Italian background. He had an older brother and two younger sisters. His grandmothers were an important part of his life. Tomies parents supported his desire to be an artist and to perform on stage. Education and Training When Tomie expressed an interest in taking dance lessons, he was immediately enrolled, even though it was unusual for a young boy to take dance lessons at that time. In his picture book Oliver Button is a Sissy, dePaola uses the bullying that he experienced because of the lessons as the basis for the story. The emphasis in Tomies family was on enjoying home, school, family and friends, and embracing personal interests and talents. dePaola received a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from the California College of Arts Crafts. Between college and graduate school, he spent a brief time in a Benedictine monastery. DePaola taught art and/or theater design at the college level from 1962 through 1978 before devoting himself full time to childrens literature. Literary Awards and Accomplishments Tomie dePaolas work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a 1976 Caldecott Honor Book Award for his picture book Strega Nona. The title character, whose name means Grandma Witch is apparently very loosely based on Tomies Italian grandmother. DePaola received the New Hampshire Governors Arts Award as the 1999 Living Treasure for the entire body of his work. A number of American colleges have awarded dePaola honorary degrees. He has also received several awards from the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota, and awards from the Catholic Library Association and the Smithsonian Institution, among others. His books are frequently used in the classroom. Writing Influences DePaolas picture books cover a number of themes/topics. Some of these include  his own life, Christmas and other holidays (religious and secular), folktales, Bible stories, Mother Goose rhymes, and books about Strega Nona. Tomie dePaola has also written a number of informational books like ​Charlie Needs a Cloak, which is the story of the creation of a wool cloak, from shearing a sheep to spinning the wool, weaving the cloth, and sewing the garment. dePaolas collections include Mother Goose rhymes, scary stories, seasonal stories, and nursery tales. He is also the author of Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. His books are characterized by humor and light-hearted illustrations, many in a folk art style. DePaola creates his artwork in a combination of watercolor, tempera, and acrylic. A Full and Accomplished Life   Today, Tomie dePaola lives in New Hampshire. His art studio is in a large barn. He travels to events and makes personal appearances regularly. DePaola continues to write books based on his own life and interests, as well as illustrating books for other authors. To learn more about this extraordinary man, read Tomie dePaola: His Art and His Stories, which was written by Barbara Elleman and published by G.P. Putnams Sons in 1999.