TOMIE DEPAOLA AUTHOR STUDYCrista Bearnarth, Rachael Vigder, and Morgan Fairfax

Tomie DePaola

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

He has been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 childrens books

He has been presented with several awards. For example, The Newberry Honor Award

Tomie DePaola was born September 15, 1934 in Meriden Connecticut

His parents were Joseph and Florence DePaola

His siblings were Joseph, Judie and Maureen DePaola.

Tomie developed a love for books at an early age probably because his mother loved books and read to Tomie every day. At the age of four, Tomie told anyone who would listen that he wanted to write stories and draw pictures for books and to sing and tap dance on the stage when he grew up.

At age 69, he admits he has done all those things

Drawing and dancing continued to interest Tomie during his school years.

Tomie and his dancing partner, Carol Morrissey, performed throughout Meriden for several years.

Tomie continued to take art classes and create art for exhibitions, theater productions, posters and many other things.  

When Tomie graduated he went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where his twin cousins, Franny and Fuffy, previously attended art school.

That inspired his book “The Art Lesson”

Tomie didn't get a contract for his first book for several years after graduating from Pratt.

When he did get a children's book job, it was to illustrate a science book called SOUND.

A year or so later, he wrote and illustrated his first book, THE WONDERFUL DRAGON OF TIMLIN.

He works in a new studio attached to a renovated 200-year-old barn in New London, New Hampshire.

Some Books By DePaola

Strega Nona The Art Lesson Brava Strega Nona (new release) I Love You, Mouse (new release) I Love You Sun; I Love You Moon

CITATION

dePaola, Tomie. "Biography." Tomie dePaola. 1999. Tomie dePaola, Web. 13 Feb 2010. <http://www.tomie.com/about_tomie/index.html>.