Tom Author:Tomie dePaola Tom dePaola’s classic illustrations accompany his heartwarming story about his relationship with his grandfather as a small boy. — Another autobiographical story from dePaola, this time about his grandfather, who ingenuously explains that ``We're named after each other, Tommy. That's why I want you to call me Tom instead of Grandpa.... more »'' In the best tradition, these two are allies: Tom sings silly songs till Tommy gets the giggles, and both retreat from Nana's scolding to tell stories by the furnace. Tommy also helps out in Tom's grocery, and on one memorable occasion he buries a chicken head to see whether it will grow a ``chicken bush'' as Tom says it will.
Later, he has a grand time scaring people (all female) with a pair of chicken feet until he's caught with them in school and brings home a note forbidding him ``to bring chicken feet to school ever again.'' A delightfully offbeat vignette of boyish mischief reinforcing the bond between generations; dePaola's handsomely designed illustrations have unusual warmth here, subtly expressing the characters' affection. (Picture book. 4-8)
About the Author Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934, to a family of Irish and Italian background. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his "continued distinguished contribution," and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration, and received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for lifetime contribution to children's literature in 2011.
DePaola has published almost 200 children's books in 15 different countries over the past 30 years. Among his most well-known titles are the Strega Nona series, 26 Fairmount Avenue, and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.
DePaola lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.« less