The Art Lesson

by Tomie dePaola

Tommy knows he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He can't wait to get to school and have real art lessons. When Tommy gets to school and finds out that the art lessons are full of "rules", he is surprised and dismayed. How the wise art teacher finds a way to give Tommy the freedom to create and stay within the "rules" makes a wonderfully perceptive picture book about growing up and keeping one's individuality.

Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of many beloved books for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Strega Nona . Fans of all ages will be pleased to hear that The Art Lesson is, in fact, based on the artist's own experiences growing up, and offers a welcome glimpse into his past. This bright picture book is as covered with drawings as the walls of Tommy's parents' and grandparents' houses, and sends an inspirational message to budding artists and individualists. Break out the crayons!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, School, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

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

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola is one of my favorite children's author/illustrators. I love that this book is about how he became an artist.

It also discussed how other children have other hobbies and interests and talents, and how one finds a balance between conformity/following rules, and individuality. The main focus is on how Tommy (Tomie) develops and shares his talents with the world (including through this book)

I especially loved the reference to the 64 box of Crayola crayons because everyone knows the Crayola crayons drew so much better than "school crayons."

This would be great to read with a few other dePaola books, and maybe follow it up with some coloring, with Crayola crayons of course!

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little boy (who is the author/illustrator) fits my artist husband to a T. Determined, focused, talented and dare I say, just a wee bit stubborn. Yet when you have a dream or a vision, you have to hang on to it or the world will do its best to wrest it from you. Thank you for this book, Mr. de Paola. I read it today to my grandson, but really to my dear husband who was sitting behind us looking on and listening in.

I am SO very happy you have held on to your aviation art vision and are finally realizing it!

Updated 5/29/2025 for grammatical errors.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Welcome to "Heather over-analyzes a children's book yet again!"

I got this book at the library because I thought Margaret would like it. She's in a coloring phase and thought it would go well with that.

The story started off nice enough. His parents and family are supportive of his desire to do art. When Tomie gets to kindergarten, he finds the quality of the art supplies disheartening. It was a nice reminder: it's probably better that my kids have a few good art supplies than a lot of crappy ones. I think the quality of the materials definitely affects whether or not they'll want to continue with art. Who really wants to draw with those waxy crayons from the restaurant anyway?

But then it just got crappy. Tomie wasn't allowed to use the crayons he brought to school- with no explanation. "You must all use these same crayons- and you can't wear down the points!" Oi. I hate that schools have rules just to have rules. And how are you supposed to use a crayon if you can't use the point? Then when he finally does have art class, it's about copying. The "compromise" of "you can draw what you like after you do what we say" is a slap in the face. "The most important things in school are crowd control and getting through curriculum. Actually encouraging you to want to learn and grow is something that might come later, after we regulate and put stipulations on you." Arg.

Having worked in the schools- in fact in a school district that didn't feel art was important/academic enough for elementary schools, and having seen the herding and curriculum push, this just emphasized why I don't want my kids in schools.

I think dePaola was lucky to go through all that (this was autobiographical) and still become an illustrator. I don't think he came out unscathed, though, because he doesn't seem to realize that the "happy compromise" was no compromise at all.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Tommy knows he wants to be an artist, but he has his hopes and dreams continually squashed by a by-the-rules school curriculum. I realize this is autobiographical, and every thing turned out okay in the end, but I still found it depressing.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short autobiographical work about the artist author, and about how even as a boy he was an artist. It did bring me back to how I valued those boxes of Crayola 64 colors of crayons. (When I was a bit older and found boxes with an even bigger color selection of crayons, I was in art heaven.) I was a bit bothered by the form of the resolution this story had re the boy’s “permission” to be a the artist he was as a first grader, although Tomie dePaola certainly did ok with his background, so I guess I shouldn’t be perturbed. This book did remind me of how art is sometimes taught in ways that do not encourage the creativity almost all children possess if allowed to express it. I admit inciting my attitude is not what the author/artist seems to have had in mind when he wrote and illustrated this book.

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola's warm illustrations and friendly attitude are always refreshing. He is able to provide a detailed reflection on his childhood in the 1940s with acceptance, and without bitterness and condescension. As a first grader, he knew himself well enough to challenge arbitrary rules in an honest, constructive way. For him, this led to a lifetime of artistic success. May we all find peace and happiness, regardless of the environment we grow up in.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun tale that shows the beginnings of Tomie dePaola's interest in drawing and his early years as an artist. The illustrations are classic dePaola and I love the characters from some of his other stories featured in the pictures in the background. The story also offers a glimpse into his family's background, with Irish and Italian extended family members, a stay-at-home mother and a father who is a dentist. The story is interesting; I love that it shows the frustration of a young child with the rigid school rules and the compromise that an art teacher offers when young Tommy is determined to have his way. I also love that it shows him discovering both his passion and talent at a very young age. I hope our girls learn while they are still young what sparks a fire within themselves, thus helping to guide them on their journey to becoming an adult and finding an avocation, not just a job.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My college professor read this to us in my "Art of the Picture Book" class. It is another great story from the life of Tomie de Paola. He knows he wants to be an artist when he grows up, so he draws pictures everywhere - once even on his sheets until his mom finds out. When he gets to school, he is excited to have art lessons with a real art teacher, but then finds out he is required to use school crayons, use only one sheet of paper, and COPY what the teacher draws for them. He does work out a compromise with the art teacher, and happily for all of us, really did become an artist when he grew up.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second read for Dewey’s Reverse Readathon. 32 pages.

This has always been one of my favorite childhood books and it was a fun re-read as an adult. I could still relate to Tommy and wanting to be able to color with the better non-school crayons and being able to receive more than one piece of paper to draw on.

I didn’t realize this was somewhat based on Tomie’s own childhood and that made this re-read even better. I’ve always loved his illustrations and this may be my favorite of his books so far.

Loved seeing the support of Tomie’s family as well as the art teacher willing to compromise.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography of the author/artist when he was a little boy with wonderful illustrations, of course. He always had an interest of and a talent for drawing.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every parent and child should read this book and enjoy in the many wonders of their intelligence.

[Colette Denali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to Vanessa as a Bedtime Booktime selection earlier this month. I got it out again to read to a young family member as we awaited the birth of a new nephew! Everyone enjoyed it; the strictness of elementary school, the joy of expressing oneself through drawing, and the thrill of a brand new box of 64 Crayola crayons are relatable experiences through every generation present as we read together.

[Sadia Mansoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 999th book here :D

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love elementary school art. Fun times.

[Steve T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m learning Spanish on Duolingo. This book is for six-year-olds and I’m proud to say I was able to read it.



Well, most of it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book I shared with both my kids. One that we had on our bookshelf that was read over and over.

[Lorraine Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little book that teaches children to do what they are passionate about and to never give on their dreams. I loved this book because it showed a child growing up and doing what he always wanted to do, draw. ‘Tommy’, is passionate about drawing and has always been encouraged by his family in creating wonderful pictures. He loved to draw his own pictures however when he started art lessons in school, this wasn’t always the case. He found his teacher dictated him into drawing what she wanted and not what he wanted. Tommy and his teacher soon worked out how they can let him draw his own pictures. A simple, yet happy story with excellent illustrations. I would recommend this book for children aged 4-8 years of age. If I was a child again, this book would encourage me to think of a talent I might have and to think about how I can practise at making it successful. It could bring up a discussion in class in relation to the children's talents and how they can make it their own.

[Angelica Nucico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This miniature autobiography is written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. This book covers only a small portion of his life in extensive detail. The last part just lets the reader know what Tomie currently does. This book is illustrated very well and the characters all actually have a little character to them even there is not much time for character development in a short story such as this. Somehow Tomie manages to make each character very personal while still getting his point across, without making the book excessively long.
The book is a very easy read and it is sure to please. The reader wonders the whole time whether or not Tomie will ever get to draw. They are also left frustrated every time Tomie is mad because the way that the author describes his experiences is very real.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a nice, simple story, an encouraging and teaching book, adorned with the always tender paintings of Tomie dePaola. I seemed to sense an extra dimension of warmth to this story, probably because of how personal it is to Tomie dePaola, a budding artist from a young age who grew to do wonderful things for young readers.

Take this little story out every once and a while and read it to yourself, or to some kids, and let yourself be reassured by it once again. I am very fond of this book, and would recommend it as one of Tomie dePaola's better stories.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Tomie dePaola's books growing up. Now, I am so happy to be able to share that joy with my own children. This book is about the author growing up and how he always thought outside the rules. I loved the simple-ness of the illustrations and yet they are so colorful. The story line is well thought of and well written. I also love the lesson that came with this story about being your own self. It's a cute story and my kids loved listening to me as I read from it's pages. I recommend checking it out.

[Savannah Schneider · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is another book I read to my little sister. She didn't seem to be interested in it much, and I found it incredibly boring. There was a lot of big words that I could barely even read so I don't think children will really understand it unless you substitute them with different words. I think it'd be more for a younger boy than a girl. It was about how the author came to be an artist. I would recommend it to young boys that are interested in art.

[Season Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I believe to be Tomie dePaola's life story. A young Tomie dePaola is excited to begin school because of art class. Yet, when his dreams of art class are destroyed by a teacher who doesn't let the students be creative, the little boy doesn't let this bring him down. This is a cute story that students love and helps teach perseverance and believing in yourself.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our seven-year-old artist was riveted by this one, especially when she found out the artist as a kid grew up to be the author of the book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tommy knows he is going to become an artist when he grows up in this autobiographical picture book from celebrated and prolific children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. Creating pictures everywhere he goes, he receives only positive feedback from his many relatives and friends. Looking forward to first grade, when he will get to experience his very first art lesson, our young hero is instead dismayed when he is not allowed to use his own crayon box—which has many more colors than the school box—is given only one sheet of paper, and worst of all, told to copy the art teacher's Thanksgiving picture. Surely a real artist never copies work! Fortunately for Tommy, when he voices his objections, his art teacher listens, allowing him a chance at a second drawing, after he finishes his assignment...

I've read quite a few books from dePaola at this point, from his Strega Nona series to his many folkloric retellings, but I think The Art Lesson is the first of his many realistic stories that I have picked up. I know he is also known for his chapter-book autobiographies, starting with the Newbery Honor title, 26 Fairmount Avenue , but this isn't an area of his work I have previously explored. I am glad to have changed this, as I found this one engaging, and appreciated the glimpse it offered of a young Tomie dePaola, his family and friends, and his passion for art. I also appreciated it as a story about a creative young person in general, and how the constraints of schooling don't always immediately lend themselves to free expression, but how the support of an understanding teacher can make a difference. Recommended to dePaola fans, and to picture book audiences looking for stories about creativity, and about being a young artist.

[Emily Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art Lesson by Tomie DePaola is a picture story book about a little boy named Tommy who loves to draw and loves art. The story starts by explaining how Tommy’s favorite think to do is to draw, while his other friends have other interests. Tommy learns a lot of knowledge from his twin cousins about art, and he is excited to start school so that he can have an art teacher too. However, Tommy cannot start his art lessons until first grade. Once he meets the art teacher, he tells her he wants to do more. She lets him complete the art lesson with the class, and with the time left over, she lets him draw whatever he wants. He draws and draws, and he is even still drawing when he is much much older. The ending is very sweet because it shows Tommy as an old person in his own art studio with all of his drawings hung up around him.

The illustrations throughout this book are outstanding. I love how some pages have a sequence of drawings, with different things going on to match the text, all on one page. For example, when Tommy draws on his bedsheets, the top illustrations show Tommy drawing on his sheets with a flashlight, while the bottom illustrations show Tommy getting in trouble with his mom. This book has a lot going on with the plot, and the illustrations are well done in order to match the events perfectly. I love how many yellows and oranges are throughout the book; it creates a cool tone. The front cover of the book shows Tommy holding a blank sheet of paper with his materials in the background and a picture of flowers. I love how there is a blank sheet of paper in Tommy’s hands because it creates some mystery for the readers what Tommy will draw throughout the book. The back cover is a yellow / orange color, which creates consistency as this color is present throughout the entire book as well. Overall, I would highly recommend The Art Lesson for ages 2-5. Specifically, a teacher could use this in the classroom when talking about hobbies.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I have mentioned in several other posts, Tomie dePaola is fast becoming my favorite children's author/illustrator. Here in The Art Lesson (1989) dePaola takes up back to his childhood, the 1930s/40s, and into his world and where his love of drawing began.

Tommy, Tomie's alter-ego, knows he is destined to be an artist. he draws all the time, anytime, and is really good at it. He even receives a set of crayons for his birthday and when school starts and it's announced that an art teacher is coming into his class to teach lessons, Tommy is thrilled. That is until he discovers that the teacher wants Tommy to only use the school's crayons and that he is forced to copy.

Tommy knows that to become a true artist you must not copy others, but practice your own craft, your own inner self. He's very upset that he can't use his box of special crayons. There are many great hidden lessons in this book. Fairness to others, compromise, and the importance of adults nurturing young people's potential, even if they're not your expertise. I can't tell you how many times I've heard parents poo-poo their child's interests only on the grounds that the parents either don't have an interest or don't know anything about it. This is my personal opinion of course, but I feel that's the wrong approach to raising people who deserve to be creative and individuals.

This book, while some might look at it as odd, should be reminded that Tomie dePaola is taking us back to the depression days. Even so, there are many threads in this story that are great for teaching purposes, while still remaining entertaining. I think any child who is artistic and you as an adult want to help lift your child's creativity, will love this book. And with more and more artistic classes being pulled more and more from school funding, I think it's an important reminder that the arts are just as important to life as sports or any other subject or extra circular activity. My rating - 5/5

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomie tells of his childhood when he was becoming an artist. He knew from a very young age he wanted to be an artist. So, he drew all the time and talked with other artist and took their advice. He was all excited for school art class and oh the disappointment of getting there and it was not what a real artist needed.

The artwork is so cute here. The people look good and the artwork has an innocent fun to it like a kid would draw. Straightforward. The colors are bright. It doesn't say the medium and it looks like paint of some kind.

You know, whenever famous artists talk about their childhood, mostly it's always the same. The know from the time of consciousness that they want to grow up and be an artist of whatever. They spend all their time doing that thing. That's the trick. If you spend your childhood doing a thing, you have more of a chance to do that as an adult. It's too bad the rest of us don't find that out until childhood is over.

Stephen King spoke about that. If you are going to be great at something, then there is a burning and you'll can't wait to do that thing, whatever it is. I guess its the same thing for sports people. To be good, you have to do it all the time. It's your reason for being.

It took me 45 years to figure that out. I spend all my time reading and writing now. I can't wait to do it, but the thing is - I am a poor writer. That's ok. I still love doing it. I'll never make a living at it, but I'll die doing it.

Kids into art will love this book.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

My three year old LOVES this one. We're not sure why. It's one of those stories everyday stories where not much happens that sometimes I think kids relate to. Or maybe she's a budding artist and we haven't tapped into it yet. Or, most likely, she likes the meta quality of having a picture of Strega Nona on the wall at the end of this book, the story of the childhood of Tomie dePaola himself.

I enjoyed the story even on multiple readings, and appreciate the childlike drama of getting 64 crayons and having your teacher say you couldn't even use them and you had to use the SCHOOL crayons instead. Although I will say a weakness of this story is that the solution the art teacher comes up with seems lacking. Tommy was so excited to have the opportunity to learn from a real artist, and in the end, she's just showing him how to copy and then he draws another picture on his own? I'm hoping that she's providing some art tips in there somewhere too.

Anyway, great, relatable memoir of a kid and some adults just doing their best.

[Aubry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: This book is about a kid named Tommy who wants to be an artist when he grows up. His first day of kindergarten was not very great because the paints werent the best. He finds out he won’t get art lessons until 1st grade which he is also upset about until he finally gets to first grade and they won’t let him use his crayons from home. Finally, he explains to his teacher that he wants to be an artist so they allow him to use another piece of paper with his own crayons.
Illustrations: I love that his illustrations of his friends on the first few pages match the books illustrations of them.
Themes: Perseverance, creativity
Personal Reaction: This book was very cute, I don’t think it served much of a purpose in it’s themes or lessons but maybe for an art class it could be a good book about passion.
Curriculum Connection: If I was an art teacher I would use this book to show students how anyone can be an artist if that’s what they set their mind out to be.
TEKS: §117.105. Art, Grade 1, Adopted 2013 3.C discuss the use of art in everyday life

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing story, clearly autobiographical that goes into a bit too much unnecessary detail. The lesson is that you can still use your Crayola™ crayons in art class if you follow the rules of copying the sample artwork first, even if you've learned that real artists don't copy and you have your own full set of crayons.

The Crayola™ product placement is particularly jarring. They're just crayons. Kids shouldn't be making brand-identity value judgments. (Nor should adults.)

It's a bit of a let down. Not an optimistic story or a strong lesson about being rewarded, just a middling tale of how maybe, after you follow all the rules, you'll get a tiny bit of leeway to actually express yourself.

It might be a sad, realistic view of the world and its arbitrary rules and scant opportunity for self-expression, but that's not the kind of fun, optimistic book I want to share with my kids.