On My Way

26 Fairmount Avenue #3

by Tomie dePaola

Tomie is overjoyed because his baby sister, Maureen, is finally strong enough to come home from the hospital. Over the next months, he is in a dance recital and he gets to go to the World's Fair. Soon, the school year is at an end. Summer is full of fun things to do, like going to the beach and celebrating the Fourth of July-but Tomie can't wait for school to start again. He hopes he'll get Miss Kiniry, the first-grade teacher he likes the best. In first grade he will finally-finally-learn to read. And maybe even get a library card of his own!

"DePaola's writing and recollective skills are so fresh that kids will feel like he's sitting right next to them, telling his tales in and out of school with disarming charisma and not a hint of nostalgia." ( The Horn Book )

"More please." ( Kirkus Reviews , pointer review)

Genres: Childrens, Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Picture Books, Audiobook

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this installment, dePaola details a visit to the world's fair, a dance recital, and other delights of his 1930s childhood. I have always enjoyed learning about the 1930s and I wonder how much of it can be traced to these books, and how much is credited to Kit Kittredge!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet book that my children enjoyed. It does have a tendency to be a little slow, but the main character is only five years old, so I wouldn't expect things to get too crazy.
And I am giving this four stars because although I got a little bored with it, my six year old daughter really loved it <3

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Again we enjoyed these sweet and funny stories. I especially loved how much Tomie wanted to learn to read. It was interesting that in first grade in 1940 he was learning colors and letters. Now that’s K-3/ K-4 stuff.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you not love these? They’re so sweet and refreshing. This one is the one where his sister gets sick, they go to the World’s Fair, and he starts first grade (among other things).

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in Tomie dePaola's autobiographical series. In this one, young Tomie finishes kindergarten, worries about who his first grade teacher will be, worries about his baby sister who has pneumonia, and gets to spend a day at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Tomie also steals the show at a dance recital and again at a "tiny tot wedding" put on at his brother's birthday party. Of course my favorite part is right at the end when Tomie sneaks his school reading book home so he can learn to read quickly and get his "liberry" card!

Reading these books always makes me want to sit down and write stories from my own childhood. Tomie dePaola makes it look so easy. He has such a great memory for details from his early life. His writing style is simple yet vivid, which makes these books a joy to read. And of course, the dePaola trademark illustrations are wonderful. Next up: What a Year!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lizzie read this, she gave it four stars. The triplets gave it five. They love stories about people’s childhoods.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent entry in the autobiographical series, 26 Fairmount Avenue, by Tomie dePaola. In this one, Tomie's baby sister gets very sick, the family goes to the 1939 World's Fair, Tomie's in a school play and gets stagestruck, they go to the beach, the family receives a new driveway, and Tomie graduates from kindergarten to first grade, which is a milestone and comes with a big surprise!

I love these books because dePaola really delves into growing up as a child during the great depression. I love his illustrations. He's a unique artist and writer. He's also more than just Strega Nona, for which he's most famous. These books offer a rare look at childhood during a time filled with uncertainty, but where a child was still a child and it's through his eyes we see his early life, family, and a glimpse of his future as one of the best-loved children's picture book writers/illustrators. My rating - 3/5

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

On My Way is the third chapter book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series, which chronicles the author's early childhood growing up in Connecticut. While I have enjoyed the charming vignettes of his family and school and neighborhood, this edition was less cohesive than the prior books. The best moment for me was when Tomie "stole" his reading book home for the weekend and learned to read it with help from his family members. Talk about motivated! The other stories had their sweetness, but they were antiquated and felt like the odds and ends at the back of a photo album.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little slow for me. Each chapter seemed to be its own mini story vs a continuous story. Then again this is more of a memoir for little kids. That being said, its a cute little memoir and I love how forward thinking Tomie's mother was. She didn't care to dress her sons as girls when necessary without them feeling like they weren't boys. She let them choose their party themes and got them what they needed to encourage their interests. Tomie dePaola obviously had great parents! What a beautiful family to read about

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book of a series of 3 autobiographical stories of Tomie dePaola as a Kindergarten/First Grade student. You have to laugh at the cute antics of this adorable, lively, talented little boy who grew to become Tomie DePaola, the great author of children's books. Best read with a child around 6.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tomie dePaola, and I love this series. Happening toward the end of the great depression, we see Tomie's childhood with his parents, siblings, and school life. So enjoyable to read! On this volume, we see the illness of his new baby sister, his summer vacation, and finally getting to read in 1st grade!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming installation (Book 3) of the 26 Fairmont Avenue memoirs. It's a delight to read dePaola's childhood memories. I also thoroughly recommend the audiobook of the same title read by the author himself.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series out of order as I had a hard time finding all the books. I highly recommend the series, but try to find/read them in order. These books which were based on Tomie’s life, made me love him more than ever!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Starting to enjoy these books more now that I’m getting used to the writing style. The stories are very cute and innocent. Perfect for kids without adding too much crazy drama. I love his description of relatives and the troubles that would bother a child.

[Em Mirra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pending.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth autobiography of the four to six year's of the life of children's author Tomie Depaolo. lively, interesting and truthful. funny and for intermediate elementary readers.

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third installment in Tomie dePaola’s autobiographical series. Baby sister health crisis and Kindergarten adventures.

[Andrus Boys]

These stories were entertaining. I like how Tomie describes his childhood in these stories.

[Kathy Strayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

...those were the days!...the trip to the 1939 World’s Fair..& it ends w/him learning to read..and getting his LIBRARY CARD❤️📚

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved listening to this series read by the author with the kids. We love Tomie De Paola.

[Kailia]

This series continues to be incredibly cute. I loved listening to the author narrate his memories of his youth. I felt as though it added a extra layer to the story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book is Tomie’s detailed memories of his dance recital.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment of the story of Tomie dePaola. Best party: the drama, intrigue, and crime of obtaining a library card.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiographical series. This installment talks about going to the World's Fair, end of kindergarten, and more house development.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

😂

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going home to eat lunch? What a luxury!

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Tomie dePaola's enthusiasm and excitement, even when things are hard.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet read. This one didn’t flow quite as well as the last one, but I love this peek into Tomie’s world.

[Samantha Raising Wildflowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Tomie Depaolavs recounts of his childhood! Short and sweet for young listeners.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series. it would be great for teaching about life in the 30s and 40s