Tom

by Tomie dePaola

Tom dePaola's classic illustrations accompany his heartwarming story about his relationship with his grandfather as a small boy.

"A delightfully offbeat vignette of boyish mischief reinforcing the bond between generations."--Kirkus Reviews

"DePaola champions the special relationship he had with grandfather. . . . Youngsters will bask in the delicious conspiracy between grandfather and grandson. . . . This book is a treasure."--Booklist

"With gentle humor and his usual master of line and composition, dePaola conveys the strong bond of affection between Tom and little Tommy, from the photo-album snapshot of the proud grandfather holding a baby on the title page to the big hug of the mischief-makers that ends the book."--Horn Book

"Touches of old-world humor add sparkle to the tale."--Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Realistic Fiction, Biography, Memoir, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

DePaola writes affectionately about the grandfather who shared his name. The older Tom was a butcher, and young Tomie spent a lot of time hanging out at the shop with the old man.



My boys were enthralled by Tomie's attempts to grow a "chicken bush," and his prank involving severed chicken feet with painted toenails led to squeals of delight!

Probably not a good choice as a bedtime tale for vegan children, or the squeamish . . .

[Skylar Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's a good way to ensure kids know where all that neatly packaged, cellophane wrapped meat in the supermarket really comes from. It's cheerfully gruesome, what with the chopping off a chicken head and planting it to grow a bush, and the chopping off of chicken feet and pulling on their severed tendons to make them move…only after a very delicate toenail painting, of course.

I have to say, though, that my kids quite enjoyed it, both the 2 and the 4 year old, and I found myself having a good time reading it as well. Ah, little boys will try to gross out the little girls after all, won't they, and it's all part of the joy of childhood. Oh, yes, and it's also about the special relationship shared between grandfather and grandson, if you're looking for the warm fuzzies.

I'm not too keen on calling elders by their first names, however. Nonetheless, I had to give this book five stars because I've read a LOT of children's books now, and I've yet to come across anything quite like it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute story of a Grandfather & his Grandson! They share the same name & they share a joy of life! This book has wonderful humor, is very personable and hits close to home, as my father has just moved and now my sons have fun times with their Papa!

I was just telling my son about going on a missions trip, and eating homemade chicken noodle soup...complete with the chicken claws in the soup for 'extra taste' :) This book has some thing much like my experience. I cannot wait to read this to him!

I would indeed recommend this book to others. Cherishing your heritage with your family. Cherishing your extended family is a very important item that we are missing in today's society of rush-rush-rush.

[Jodi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Tom. Tomie dePaola's story of his childhood memories of his grandfather are perfect for sharing with family members.

Every child needs a grandfather like Tom. As dePaola takes us through some of his favorite childhood memories (chicken tendons!) you begin to think about the special bonds that you've had with a grandparent. I used to use this book in the classroom as it was perfect for teaching "making connections."

[Brad Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom, written by Tomie dePaola, was copyrighted in 1993 and is presented with a portrait layout. Every page has both an illustration and text. The illustrations bordered from the rest of the page, and are done in the classic, recognizable dePaola fashion. Something I noticed upon further examination is that each set of pages has a uniquely colored border around the illustrations. The text is simple and completely set away from the images

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how I managed to miss Tomie dePaola as a child. But, as a teacher, I am certainly thankful for him. I'd never read this story of his, but a teacher friend of mine introduced it to my class. It's funny and sweet and just terrific. A big hit with the second grade crowd, I can tell you.

[C20 Molishus · Rating 5 out of 5]

After we read Tom, we had a great time making connections to family members who get us into trouble. Do you have a family member who always gets you into trouble. For me, when I was little, it was my grandfather, just like Tomie!!
Mrs. M.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Tommy loves to visit his Irish grandparents. This tells of his adventures with his grandfather for whom he was named. Set in the forties, it had lovely pictures and characters that chldren can easily relate to. This is a great example of memoir.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another family favorite! We love Tomie de Paola!

[Beth Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite children's books. I love the relationship between grandfather and grandson. Such love and mischief. I laugh and laugh at those chicken feet every time.

[Anastasiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this probably 50times already to my crowd of 2,4,6. They love it ! Especially since we have butchered a few of our own chickens.
"Garunge-arunge-a!"
"EEEK!"

[Andrea Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is weird and wonderful and I love it. “GARUNGE-ARUNGA!!!”

[Taylor Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Grandfather Tom and grandson Tommy enjoy spending time together. Tommy loves hearing all of his grandfather's stories. Tom is a butcher and sends home different parts of chickens for Tommy to use for different activities. One day Tom sends home chicken talons with Tommy after showing him how to pull on the tendons to make the feet open and close. Tommy goes home and paints the tips of the feet and brings them to school to scare his friends.

Evaluation: This book has some parts that would be weird to read to younger grades. I wouldn't want to read this book to a group of Kindergarteners and them being weirded out or frightened by this book. I could use this book to teach the importance of using one thing for more than just one use.

Teaching Point: I would read this book to a second grade classroom. I think due to their older age, they could handle the images of the butcher shop and also respond more maturely to the questions I may be asking. I would read this book to show students that some things that they think are off limits, scared of, or gross can be turned into something to be used for a more light focus.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tomie's stories about his grandparents. They are pretty cool. Tomie had a great relationship with his grandparents.

This is about his grandpa Tom. He was a butcher. There is a scene they would go downstairs under the octopus coal burning heater and Tom would smoke and tell Tomie stories and they would laugh. Tomie also went to their grocery store and Tomie helped out. He helped make hamburger meat. His grandfather cut off chicken feet and gave them to Tomie.

Tomie painted the nails and went to school with them up his sleeve. He scared the crap out of some girls. It is sort of funny.

The artwork is pure dePaola. It's wonderful. It has warmth and heart.

Kids will love the joke in here.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom (1993) by Tomie dePaola is a good picture book about the bond between grandfather and grandson. It's more of a memory story, with very little plot and more accounts of things they did together and that's fine. I like dePaola and his artwork is so distinctively his. I just wish there had been more of a plot to it. While I enjoyed the chicken feet part, I felt that it took over much of the story, and would have been better if this were part of a longer piece, like a chapter book or something, about their relationship. It just felt a little off, but still with dePaola's autobiographical touch, which I still admire. My rating - 3/5

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about a little boy and his grandpa. Because Tommy, the little boy, is named after his grandpa, Tom, his grandpa insists he calls him by his first name. From there, we see how much fun Tommy has with his grandpa when he visits on Sundays...and how they sometimes both get into trouble! Tommy (and the reader) learn a little about butchering, and even though the colourful illustrations aren't graphic they get the point across.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola reflects on memories of the times spent with his grandfather at his home, and at the family store. His grandfather shows him a trick that doesn't go over well when Tommy tries is at school, but that doesn't put a damper on the love and good times shared with his grandfather.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally I like Tomie DePaola's books, but this one was horribly grotesque. My children were horrified by it. Yes, it's great to know where our food comes from, but I think it can be done in a sensitive and respectful manner. I do not recommend this book for children.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely darling book! I laughed at several parts of the story while reading it on my own, and the. I read it again over my daughter’s shoulder when she read it and we both laughed at it again. What a wonderful grandfather. What a wonderful relationship.

[Javier Trost · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bond between grandparent and grandchild is beautifully explored in this fun kids book. I hope it shows future generations how you can befriend family members and how you can build ties to your past.

[Kellean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watched a video of Tomie dePaola reading this book to kids years ago. The way he read it, voice inflection, facial expression, was priceless, hilarious to watch. Got a copy of the book, and I can still hear his voice and see his face as I read it. Great story by a wonderful storyteller and artist.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book over 100 times, it has brought such joy and comfort to me. His grandfather was a butcher and a man full of shenanigans. His grandson was so innocent and loving and his grandfather Tom was a special friend

[Shirleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy and his grandfather have fun together getting into trouble.

[Ginny Churning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my son a number of times and is one of my favorites. Mr. dePaola became an author I look for when buying books for children.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicken feet, chicken heads, and ashes ... all new dimensions of experiences with g'pa ... the Irish grandpa. This is a keeper.

[Junior Bodden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Tom! Tomie de Paola, grandpa! Young Tomie spent a lot of time with his grandpa at his shop. The older Tomie was a butcher

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and funny memories the style had with his Grandpa Tom. I love dePaola's illustrations, and the part with the chicken feet at school was really funny.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and finally a book where he doesn’t keep talking about his grandmothers!

[Nav · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tone and the visuals turned something that could be gory (butchery) into a *cute* childhood memory.