Christmas Remembered

by Tomie dePaola

In this unique collection, Tomie dePaola shares his love of Christmas and all the delightful twists his life has taken. Christmas Remembered is a delightful window into the life of one of the great American children?s book author/ artists. ?Tomie dePaola is one of my favorite illustrators....He is also a writer of considerable charm, who can evoke a remembered world of his childhood with great vividness.??Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials Trilogy ?This book is like Christmas itself?full of surprises and sensory delights . . . for young and old alike.??Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk

Genres: Christmas, Memoir, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Holiday, Childrens, Short Stories

88 pages, Hardcover

First published September 14, 2006

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Kathryn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One blurb on the cover of this book described DePaola’s illustrations and writing as having a “sturdy tenderness” and I agree. These stories are glimpses into different Christmases in DePaola’s life. I believe this is his only book written for all ages, not only for children. It was a delight to read.

[Jillian Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Tomie DePaola’s work as a children’s author and illustrator so it was delightful to have more insight and context into his life. I loved this memoir-esque collection of Christmas stories from his life. I’d love to read a longer memoir by him.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie reminisces about 15 different Christmases throughout his life, from his childhood, to his teen years, to his young adult years, to his mature years. The reminiscences are accompanied by his signature artwork in double-page spreads, full page, and smaller decorations. A couple of his more unique Christmas memories were from his time as a monk in a Benedictine monastery; and the year he spent Christmas in Santa Fe, New Mexico with friends. In each memory, he tells how artwork (his own or others) was an important part of the celebration. This would be a great book for a family to share at Christmas.

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, interesting holiday read, especially for Tomie dePaola fans. My favorite chapter was "Santa Fe Christmas".

[Marisa Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Tomie book made for adult and kid readers. I loved reading this book over Christmas and learning about Tomie’s life through the lense of Christmas time.

It’s fun to read memories and see where certain children’s books were birthed out of.

He had such a interesting life and writes about Christmases spent in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and even at a monastery.

His pictures are beautiful and love how he can recreate Christmas memories and magic with such detail and love.

[Ambrose Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Christmas present. This time by a writer and artist I'd never heard of before. The mere mention of that fact has caused some of his fans to loan me books he has authored and illustrated. I'll try to fit them in before next Christmas.

[Evan Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy was such a treasure. What an interesting life that he was willing to share with us in writing and with pictures. And of course about Christmas, his and our favorite time of year.

We have mainly read his works for children thus far, but have steadily been getting into his works written for everyone, and they are a great way to learn about life during the middle of the 20th century.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Tomie de Paola? This book was a little peek into his personal Christmas memories along with his wonderful illustrations. It's a great book to read a little at a time with a cup of tea sitting by the Christmas tree. Loved it!

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of true Christmas season memories written by the prolific children’s book author and illustrator, Tomie DePaola. It spans DePaola’s lifetime and while the common link is good company, good food, and fabulous Christmas decor, I hoped for a bit more.

I love DePaola’s rosy outlook on life. His creativity and dramatic flair accompanied by kindness and goodness are all evident here but now I just really want to read a detailed biography. He lived in many different places and felt a pull to monastic culture yet ultimately chose a lifestyle so different. Why? Who is this guy really??

My kids enjoyed the earlier memories (especially the ginormous candy cane) but I finished this on my own as their interest waned.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola gives us a snapshot look at several Christmases in his life. Illustrated by his signature drawings, it is more a family book than one for just kids or for just adults. He writes about some of his favorite memories and his favorite people as well his travels and cities he had lived in. He also writes about his personal traditions, including decorating his Christmas trees with paper roses. It is quite a delightful book, one that can be enjoyed time and again, no matter what your age.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed many of dePaola's books, and expected to be delighted by his Christmas memoir. But it didn't catch my attention and would not have interested the kids, so we'll give this one a pass. There are so many other Christmas books that are a better fit for our family, so we'll let those have our reading time.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an anthology of memories from various Christmases in author Tomie DePaola's life. I loved the individual vignettes that create an overall statement about all the different kinds of magic that happens during this special time of year. Tomie dePaola has lived a fascinating life, and I loved the celebration of each phase.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of vignettes from fifteen Christmases that Tomie dePaola celebrated. He shares about his experiences in both childhood and adulthood, and the different anecdotes give glimpses into American history and different stages of his life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short true stories of Christmas from the 1930s into the 1990s was a perfect Christmas read aloud.

We loved the classic Tomie dePaola illustrations and descriptions of his Christmases through the years. 🕊

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading all the 26 Fairmont Avenue books, it was nice to read more memories from Tomie dePaola. I really enjoyed the entry about his friends owning a candy shop and how they made the sponge candy. I had no idea dePaola had joined a monastery for a while.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the first book Tomie dePaola wrote for all ages, it is full of wonderful stories of Christmases he enjoyed. Delightful.

[April Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun collection of Christmas memories from a beloved author and illustrator. It’s always enjoyable to hear stories from Christmases past.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomie Depaola's memories of special Christmases through the years. Fun fact: he was a monk for a short time!

[Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas was Tomie dePaola's favorite holiday and it was good to revisit his memories of great Christmases in his life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A previous book that I enjoyed as an adult. I’m not sure a kid would like it. There was such a variety of experiences and his art played into his celebrations.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was charming, but it was not really a children’s book: it was more of a short memoir centered on Christmas celebrations throughout his life.

[Lucy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread!

Loved this book in 2007 and really enjoyed rereading it this holiday season.

[Jennifer Dines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acclaimed children's author and illustrator has had an incredible life, which is revealed in this beautifully decorated book of essays of his Christmas memories from childhood onwards. During his childhood in Connecticut, his parents generously hosted informal and loving Christmas parties for neighbors and family in their bar-setup basement. As an art student at Pratt, Tomie took trips into Manhattan to carefully select Christmas presents for his family. And, in later years, Tomie celebrates with parties and close friends in the Southwest and New Hampshire. After reading this book, you will feel that Tomie dePaola is one of your best friends, and you have just returned from a long Christmas journey with him.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom bought this book for me for Christmas because she knows how much I like reading Christmas books. After reading other reviews, it seems that dePaola is a well known illustrator which explains why every page has an illustrated border. This is definitely a colorful book.

He shares small vignettes about his Christmas memories from when he was born until 2006. His life was more interesting than I would have thought.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Tomie de Paola's Christmas book and I was not disappointed! I love to read memoir, I love to read about different places, and I love stories of how artists live - so this was the perfect book for me. I found this in the library at my elementary school, but I think it is more suited to adult readers. Next December, put this on your reading list. It's a feel good read that will inspire you to reflect upon Christmases past.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always fun to get an insightful glimpse into the life of an author, especially when I learn about his life and see how it has affected his work. Although I've worked in public libraries since 1999 and have been reading books to my own boys for almost 28 years, I had never seen this book but I brought it home and read it over the past few days which really enhanced my Christmas. If you've ever read any of DePaola's work and wondered about him, do yourself a favor and read this one!

[Pita-eater · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019: After rereading the 26 Fairmount Avenue series, I tucked into this book and enjoyed it more on a second read. DePaola is a great storyteller. I just wish the pictures were drawn like the black-and-white 26 Fairmount Avenue illustrations instead of colorful collages without people. A matter of taste, I guess.

2008: no review, 3 stars

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming book consists of brief vignettes of the many Christmases of his life. The sense I get from dePaola is that Christmas is a time of family, friends, celebration, and Catholic masses. I especially enjoyed reading about his time spent in a monastery, which filled me with the wonder and beauty of a simple, meditative life.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for its educational value and because I like Tomie dePaola's work. It was not disappointing. A good memoir by a well-liked author. The book spans Mr. dePaola's life, almost from birth until 2006. Ut has rich historical and cross-cultural material. What I did not expect was how much I would appreciate insight into this author's life.