Tomie DePaola: His Art and His Stories

by Barbara Elleman

Tomie dePaola is among the best-known, best-loved artist/authors creating books for children today. His art and his stories, filled with imagination, humor, elegance, and curiosity, emanate from a love of life reflected in everything he does. Barbara Elleman , a critic in her own right, explores Tomie dePaola as artist and storyteller. The result is a fascinating, complete, and highly readable account that looks first at his life and then at the many genres he has drawn upon--autobiographical memories, folktales, Christmas themes, religious stories, and more. She shows patterns and motifs that thread through his work, points out major influences on his art, and gives a rare look at his fine art and his "non-book" designs.Ms. Elleman's thoughtful narrative and selections of artwork that illustrate Mr. dePaola's diverse styles bring a fresh appreciation to the work of this unique artist/author.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Art, Writing, Books About Books

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 1999

About the author

Barbara Elleman was named a Distinguished Scholar of Children's Literature by Marquette University's School of Education. The creator and editor-in-chief of Book Links magazine, Barbara also spent many years as a book reviewer, media specialist, and lecturer.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose to read this book:
1. GR friend, Sarah's review brought it to my attention;
2. ever since a mentor teacher showed the film Strega Nona to his Grade 4 class during a student-teaching stint, I was hooked! A few years later, I was delighted to find a hardcopy of this iconic story. It has been my favorite (and most requested) read-aloud picture book ever since;
3. needless to say, I'm a HUGE fan of Tomie dePaola, having read 35+ books that he has authored and/or illustrated; and,
4. September 2023 is my self-declared "Memoirs & Biographies" Month!

Praises:
1. author Barbara Elleman has compiled so much relevant information about this man, obtained through formal interviews and impromptu chats with several members of the literary world, including Mr. dePaola himself! Some of the chapters (along with some of my favorites) focus on;
- an entire chapter about Strega Nona 🥰;
- his autobiographical stories (The Art Lesson);
- folktale retellings (The Legend of the Bluebonnet);
- books with religious and spiritual themes (Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland);
- Christmas stories (Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner?);
- nursery rhymes (Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose);
- informational books (The Popcorn Book); and,
- a host of various other storytelling books (Pancakes for Breakfast);
2. Elleman begins her book detailing dePaola's life and his early influences with his inspiration "coming from a higher source";
3. copies of storybook pages and color photos abound in this book, with whimsical illustrations interspersed throughout. My favorite photos are of dePaola's home, garden, and studio. They look like cozy, joyful places, bringing warmth to my soul; and,
4. the Appendix includes: Footnotes; Major Awards, Events, and Recognitions (including the prestigious Children's Literature Legacy Award); Bibliography; Art Notes; Art & Photo Credits; and Index.

Overall Thoughts:
"Pictures can do the writing ... They do more than help the story; they amplify it. There must be room in the story line for the creation of images that invite the child's imagination to wander. The other world of things unsaid and unexplained is what I try to find, see, and portray." -Tomie dePaola

On March 30, 2020, the world lost a true literary treasure. Tomie dePaola was a genius at his craft. Even my young students could easily recognize his work! His distinctive style and strategic use of color, space, and size all had the intent of keeping the child reader in mind.

Reading this biography literally brought tears to my eyes. Learning about this man, as well as the mention of his beloved books and characters, truly warmed my heart.

A must-read for illustrators and especially for fans of Tomie dePaola!

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Worlds of Tomie dePaola celebrates the life and work of a renowned picture book author/illustrator. Elleman spent time with dePaola at his home, interviewing him extensively, and building a sense of his creative output. He had a long career and a towering stack of publications, but Elleman manages to capture his artistic fecundity in a way that makes it easier to understand.

I grew up with Tomie dePaola, especially his Bible stories, saint stories, and legends. Once I began to read on my own, I devoured the 26 Fairmount Avenue series repeatedly. Even though I haven't looked at them in years, I can remember such details--Snow White, dancing, the baby sister! I learned that he continued to publish these until I was in high school, and I have some catching up to do. The final chapter in this book shares some of his non-picture-book art, and it's fascinating to see his proficiency in different media and styles, his student work at Pratt, and self-portraits. Each one is so beautiful. Elleman's text interprets each "world" (folktales, religious subjects, Strega Nona, et c.) with copious reproductions and quotations. It made me more artistically appreciative of dePaola's work. Growing up with his art, I connect with it emotionally first, not always aware of how his images communicate, but Elleman examines the layers and helpfully explains what makes his work so effective.

Tomie dePaola was a unique talent. He freely gave his creativity to the world, and I am just one of many who cherish his legacy. If time travel existed, I would go back to 1990s New England and insert myself into the worlds of dePaola, Trina Schart Hyman, Tasha Tudor. Who wouldn't want to spend the morning feeding the animals with Tudor, the day in the studio with Hyman, and the evening with a delicious meal made by dePaola? Sounds idyllic to me. In lieu of time travel, BRB, off to cry over all his picture books again.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew Tomie DePaola, but apparently I had only scratched the surface. This book offers fans a peek into his studio, library, home, and the backstories of his books. His collection of published works in much larger than I suspected. So many Strega Nona books! Tomie left a wonderful legacy that children will enjoy for generations to come.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never read any books illustrated by dePaola, I was seduced by his art into reading this book. I will be looking for some of his children’s books.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our entire family enjoyed this book! Tomie DePaola is a family favorite!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were a book like this for all my favorite children's book illustrators. It's so very comprehensive, addressing matters of general interest as well as technical minutia. There is biographical information, but it's by no means a biography.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did this make me read all of dePaola's children books and send me down memory lane, but it also reminded me that there is a lot more to picture books than just what we see.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It had so much of Tomie de Paola’s art work inside. This was an adult book describing his life, his studio, his work. I own this book and consider it a treasure!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola was amazingly productive. This book is a pictorial review of his art and stories and goes a long way to explain how he became the artist that he was. It was fun seeing photos of his house and studio and reading about how he developed new story lines and art work. It is so interesting how some people without children of their own, like Tomie, are able to relate most authentically to a child's world.

[Carmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely to learn more about a favorite author from my childhood and it spurred me to checkout a bunch of his books for my son.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories shared during childhood can leave a lasting impression on you, especially when reinforced with fun, colorful, and vivid images. The work of Tomie dePaola is memorable for many, particularly tales involving Strega Nona, and learning more about the artist and author’s life, work, and process was interesting in The Worlds of Tomie dePaola: The Art and Stories of the Legendary Artist and Author by Barbara Elleman as it offers an insightful look into the creator behind these beloved children’s books.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

Revisiting the worlds and characters brought to life by Tomie dePaola’s storytelling and illustrations through these pages that present behind the scenes aspects to their creation and the creator was an enjoyable break from my typical reading. As the text of this book is broken down into chapters dedicated to particular themes in dePaola’s life and work, it was easy to pick up and learn some new information about the artist/author in digestible portions and be amazed with the small details that persistently appear throughout his work. The larger format of the book and the inclusion of so much brightly colored artwork makes it a great candidate to reside prominently on a coffee table and be enjoyed in a comfortable environment. While the end product of a children’s illustrated book may seem simple, I appreciate how this book offers a look into dePaola’s process, which demonstrates that it’s frequently not as simple as the finished product may make it may seem.

*Note: I had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Elleman in 2017 and touring the Eric Carle museum as she’s friends with a family member who helped to encourage my longstanding appreciation of dePaola.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful, gorgeously designed book shares biographical elements about Tomie dePaola's life, analysis about his stories and illustrations, and insightful quotes from him about his life experiences and creative processes throughout his career. I greatly enjoyed reading this, and have now checked out lots of his books from the library. He was one of my favorite authors and illustrators when I was a child, and I am excited to get back into his work.

The book includes many vivid reproductions of the artist's illustrations, as well as family snapshots and portraits from his past, photos of his eclectic and folkloric home decor, and pictures of him at work. The paper is thick and high-quality, and the book is very nicely produced. One thing that parents should be aware of, however, is that in the final chapter, one of dePaola's non-book art pieces shows a nude woman from the back. There is nothing explicit or sensual about the pose, but since this is a children's book, I want to mention it for parents who would like to know in advance. Everything else in this book is completely appropriate for young readers, and it would be a great gift for a dePaola fan or artist of any age.

[BJ Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Barbara Elleman's explanation of the artist's technique in The Clown of God, I pulled my well-worn copy off the shelf to page through again. Even seeing it through new eyes, I still sniffed back a tear as the old clown cried, "For you sweet child, for you!" Decoding how dePaola constructed the story and its images took away none of their magic; a sign, I'm sure, that he fulfilled his desire to share basic truths beautifully. This book is a feast for the eyes and the heart. It could find a happy home (and frequent reference) in the libraries of teachers and students who love Strega Nona and Big Anthony, Charlie, Oliver Button, Tom and Nana, and all who live in the worlds of Tomie dePaola.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely purchase books because I rely on titles I recommend the library purchase, including this one. However, since I've been collecting Tomie dePaola books for some time, this is a book I want to revisit so that I learn more about the themes, techniques, and how Tomie touched our hearts with his large canon of books.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're using this for Art Study right now, we love his style and stories, if you didn't notice :)

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed savoring this book slowly and rediscovering the art of Tomie de Paola by re-reading his picture books along with it. A very happy retrospective immersion!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twice in my life I got to meet Tomie dePaola, the first time as a young child when he visited my school, the second as a mother. His books inspired me as a young child, and were some of the books I reached for when introducing my own children to kindness and warmth in literature. This book isn't so much about Tomie's life, but about the themes of his works. Important, yes, yet I wished for more details about his own experiences and life. The second time I met him at a bookstore near his own home, he seemed to have a connection with everyone present. I asked him if he remembered by school, that my class presented a play of Strega Nona. He remembered as he brought up other details. Certainly those local connections could have provided more insight into his life, especially his adult years.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coffee-table book overview of beloved children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. It is divided into logical sections like "Christmas Stories" and "Publishing History." Of course the best part is getting to see a variety of his images captured. HEre are a few notes:
Tomie rhymes with "Tommy"
He put white birds and hearts in many of his images.
He lived from 9/15/34 - 3/3/20
He grew up in CT, went to Pratt in Brooklyn, and lived in NH for his adult life
He had Italian paternal grandparents and Irish maternal grandparents
He once lived in a monastery in VT and was considering joining the order
He loved Blessed Mother Mary

[Mary Wherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As teacher, parent, and grandparent I have been reading Tomie dePaola's books since the 1970's. This was an insightful look into his life and career. I am so sad that he is no longer alive and creating more books and illustrations.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and interesting book for anyone who, like me, adores Tomie dePaola’s stories and illustrations. I love the behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the beloved picture books I enjoy reading with my kids over and over.

[Lisa D]

What a beautiful tribute to this amazing artist who recently passed away. This is an amazing & very well researched biography of this classic children’s author. Loved it!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had hoped for more of a description on the actual art supplies and techniques he used, but that seemed to be left out. Lovely delve into his life and all the books he wrote and illustrated though.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an early childhood educater, Tomi's books were always a favorite of mine and the kids. I was able to meet him in person at an NAEYC Conference in Chicago years ago.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endlessly inspiring

[Themountainbookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to get a behind the scenes look.

[Mike Violano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola: His Art & Stories is a beautifully rendered, in-depth review of dePaola’s life and his landmarks in illustrated children’s books. Although the book was published in 1999 (a revised updated edition was released after his death in 2020) it does contain most of his “greatest hits”. Author Barbara Elleman has assembled chapters that focus on dePaola’s early life and autobiographical stories, religious and Christmas stories, folktales from around the world and the wonderful Italian grandmother tales of Strega Nona from Calabria. The artist’s distinctive style and recurring messages of family love, respect for others, and the enchantment of childhood has entertained generations of young readers. Fans of Tomie and followers of children’s literature will be richly rewarded by spending time with this outstanding treasury of the artist’s best loved stories.

[Elyshia Schafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a great book for my Illustrator project in my children's lit class. It has a lot of great info on DePaola's style. The sequence of the book itself is a little haphazard and the actual biographical information is pretty spread throughout the book. The focus is definitely on his work, which works well for my project but may not work well as a biographical read. I love how many of his illustrations are included so that you don't just read what the writer is talking about. You can see it in action.

[David Macpherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big sloppy kiss of a study of dePaola. That is not a bad thing in that I am a big fan of his work. I remember seeing a show of his work at the Eric Carle Museum and was blown away. The book has good reproductions of his work, but I was hoping for just a little more from it, though I can't pinpoint what.

[Phyllis Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. Years ago I attended a book signing by Tomie and Barbara Ellerman and met the famous man himself. I don't think I ever really read this book entirely until his death this past week. This book really tells us a story about Tomie DePaola and how his art and storytelling evolved and I'm so happy that I have a copy on my bookshelves.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Invaluable for my final presentation in Sequential Art class, this book does a thorough and thoughtful examination of DePaola's work, which is its intent. I can't wait for a real biography though, that is willing to roll up its sleeves and get a little messy.