FROM SARAH:

‘Boil, boil, pasta pot -- boil me some pasta nice and hot!’ Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambalona work hard, but occasionally need just a little magic. (Lots of fun sequels too!)

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

FROM SARAH:

Strega Nona is back in this autumn tale set right during the harvest. Funny and beloved, as Strega always is.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

A charming celebration of autumn's bounty by perennial favorite Tomie dePaola. A colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons.

FROM SARAH:

A quiet and gentle story full of seasonal color. Also: it's by Tomie dePaola. So of course it's on our list!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

It's a beautiful fall day -- perfect for dinner with friends. But will it ever be time to eat? It's autumn! The air is cool and crisp, and the leaves have changed to bright golds and reds. Mistress Pig wants to celebrate her favorite season by cooking a big feast for her friends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A young boy awakens with the dawn, opens his eyes and looks closely at his world. He admires all that surrounds him, large and small, from the radiant sun to a tiny, but exquisite, ladybug.

FROM SARAH:

One of my favorites among Tomie dePaola's many Christmas picture books. An absolute delight for Christmas!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This is a delightful reading of the favorite Italian Christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her never-ending search for the Baby King.

FROM SARAH:

Tomie dePaola, what else need I say? :) This book is a delight, start to finish.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Missing ingredients and mischievous pets create one humorous complication after another for a little old lady determined to make pancakes for breakfast in this larger-sized, color-enhanced edition of Tomie dePaola's wordless picture book classic.

FROM SARAH:

An absolutely delightful read-aloud by none other than my favorite, Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Illustrated in dePaola's signature style, this has an inviting look. Buoyant watercolors are framed by thin orange borders....An engaging read-aloud choice for St. Patrick's Day.

FROM SARAH:

To say I love dePaola is something of an understatement. We even have a whole Tomie Day dedicated to him around here! In the chapter book series that starts with this title, he tells the story of his childhood with the gusto that only Tomie had. A tippy-top recommendation as a read aloud. Don't miss this one. Also available on audio (Audible l Libro.fm).

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Tomie's family starts building their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in 1938, just as a hurricane hits town, starting off a busy, crazy year. Tomie has many adventures all his own, including eating chocolate with his Nana Upstairs, only to find out--the hard way--that they have eaten chocolate laxative. He tries to skip kindergarten when he finds out he won't learn to read until first grade. "I'll be back next year," he says.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A timeless celebration of Christmas from the legendary Newbery and Caldecott Honor winner Tomie dePaola!This collection unifies three of the incomparable Tomie dePaola’s most beloved Christmas stories into one handsome volume.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lovingly illustrated by award-winning artist Tomie dePaola, this stunning collection of stories brings some of the most memorable and significant figures in the Old and New Testaments to life. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Moses, Peter, John, and Jesus are all vividly portrayed in wonderful detail. The original Bible text captures all of the drama of the best-loved stories from the Bible, including Noah and the flood, Jonah's encounter with a great fish, and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Tomie dePaola's collection of traditional rhymes is a visual treat for both children and parents. His cheerful, humorous style enlivens 200 rhymes that star both the familiar Mother Goose cast of characters and those not as well known. Some pages are devoted to one rhyme--including all the verses--while other pages feature a variety of shorter rhymes or thematic groupings (such as verses about weather). Amidst the nursery rhymes are American poems such as "Yankee Doodle" and "Hush Little Baby," along with traditional poems such as "Three Little Kittens."

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers to the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has.

FROM SARAH:

One of Tomie dePaola's many Christmas titles! This one is a sweet take on the heavenly festivities before the celebration of Christ's birth. We're featuring this one in Christmas School 2023. This book is out-of-print and can be difficult to find, but we've received permission to create a read-aloud video for you to access inside Christmas School!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Sometimes the littlest angels can make the biggest difference, as these heavenly creatures find out as they prepare to host the Christmas celebration and manage to remember to provide some much needed starlight to light the darkest night.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Beloved Newbery honor-winning author and Caldecott honor-winning illustrator Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors of Mexico and its art, but also the excitement of the children preparing for Christmas and the hope of Lucida, who comes to see what makes a gift truly beautiful.

FROM SARAH:

You know I can't get enough of Tomie dePaola, and this newly digitzed version of his book, Merry Christmas, Strega Nona, pops right off the page. This book is featured in RAR's Christmas School for 2023.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Strega Nona returns with her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, and Bambolona, the baker’s daughter, in time for the big Christmas Eve feast.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In My First Christmas, warm illustrations and easy-to-follow text celebrate the joys and traditions of this special holiday. From decorating the tree to putting cookies out for Santa, the Christmas spirit is beautifully captured by Tomie dePaola.

FROM SARAH:

Among one of my favorite books to read aloud on St. Patrick's Day. A delight!

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

Full of humor and charm, Tomie dePaola's retelling of this classic fable is boldly illustrated, with detailed borders based on ancient Irish metalwork.

FROM SARAH:

Tomie shares the story of the true St. Patrick, as well as the most famous legends surrounding him. If you only get one St. Patrick's Day book from this list, make it this one.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The story of Patrick’s life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the “dreams” that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In a tale explaining the naming of Italy's sweet bread "panettone"--Tony's bread--the reader is introduced to Angelo, a rich nobleman, Tony, a fame-seeking baker, his daughter Serafina, and the three "aunties" who make everybody's wishes become reality.

In this sequel to Caldecott Honor winner Strega Nona, “Big Anthony romps through a case of spring fever with an ill-gotten magic ring, against the architectural background and blue skies of la bella Italia.”--Booklist

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos that light up on the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas, the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter at the inn on Christmas Eve.This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the clebration, has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and a woman no one knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously disappear at the end before they can be thanked.That night we witness a Christian miracle, for when Sister Angie goes to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Jospeh, wet footprints from the snow lead up to the statue.

From Sarah: Our favorite Italian Nona is getting ready for Christmas, and everyone knows that means time for a FEAST! I love this story and how deftly the season’s feasts and holy days are woven throughout. We’re featuring this book in 2023's Christmas School.

From the Publisher:

In Strega Nona's village, the holiday season is a time of celebrations - and nothing says celebration like a feast! All the kitchens are bustling from the Feast of San Nicola, when the children choose the food, to the Feast of Epiphany, when someone gets to be king or queen for the day. Even the animals share in the holiday spirit, and when Big Anthony smells the delicious treats Strega Nona is cooking for them, he decides that just a taste couldn't hurt, right? Wrong! Big Anthony gets his just desserts, while Strega Nona surprises everyone with a special gift.

To purchase from Penguin Random House, click here.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

Another romping St. Patricks' Day read-aloud written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

When Jamie O'Rourke's wife leaves him alone for a week, it's up to Jamie to do the housework. But Jamie isn't just the laziest man in Ireland, he's also the messiest! When a magical pooka arrives unexpectedly and starts to do the dishes and sweep the house, Jamie thinks that maybe he's the luckiest ...

Tommy is four years old, and he loves visiting the home of his grandmother, Nana Downstairs, and his great-grandmother, Nana Upstairs. But one day Tommy's mother tells him Nana Upstairs won't be there anymore, and Tommy must struggle with saying good-bye to someone he loves. Updated with new, full-c...

Tomie dePaola’s beloved and bestselling Strega Nona gets in some friendly competition in this beloved addition to the series!Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) has cures for warts and headaches, even lovesickness. She uses old-fashioned potions and magic and the villagers in Calabria flock to her door. B...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Fans of Tomie dePaola’s kindly Strega Nona will love this charming look at the early days of her good-hearted but clumsy helper Big Anthony. From the day he is born, Big Anthony never pays attention. As a boy, he leaves the gates of the farm open and all the animals escape.

The popular Big Anthony tries once again to use Strega Nona’s magic with the usual hilarious and disastrous results. “Played for laughs-successfully.”--Booklist

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, so when he finds out that the art lessons are full of "rules", he is surprised and dismayed. Based on the true story of Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
After Jesus of Nazareth was baptized, he began his public life, and he performed many miracles. Inspired by Romanesque art, Tomie dePaola brings the New Testament to life as he retells the stories of twelve miracles in the Bible.

FROM SARAH:

It's by Tomie dePaola, so of course it's wonderful! The early reader versions of Strega Nona are every bit as wonderful as the full-length tales they are based on.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Discover brand-new stories about Strega Nona, by acclaimed author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read series that’s perfect for beginning readers!Strega Nona is excited!

FROM SARAH:

I can almost imagine Tomie chuckling to himself while making the illustrations for this delightful, nearly wordless story about a dragon and a knight who have every intention of fighting one another. Wonderful.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it's no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor's things to find out how to fight a knight!

FROM SARAH:

I'm not new to the world of Strega Nona, but this treasury made its way into my home and became one of my favorite go-tos for read-aloud time right away.  All of Strega Nona's stories are pure delight. Your kids can meet author Tomie dePaola at his Author Access video replays in RAR Premium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Strega Nona has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Award–winning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nona’s gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her “an enduring character who has charmed generations of children.”

This joyous book sings thanks and praise for everything in land, sea, and sky-from the sun and moon to plants and animals to all people, young and old. Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola captures the beauty of God's creation in his folk art-style illustrations. With text inspired by Old Testam...

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this unique collection, Tomie dePaola shares his love of Christmas and all the delightful twists his life has taken. Christmas Remembered is a delightful window into the life of one of the great American children's book author/ artists.

FROM SARAH:

This one has a Clara and identical twin boys, so I like to pretend Tomie wrote it for me. ;) Anything by Tomie dePaola is worth owning!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In this brand-new story from acclaimed author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona babysits twins in a Level 1 Ready-to-Read book that’s perfect for beginning readers!

FROM SARAH:

Oh hello, Strega Nona. Do we want another story about you? OF COURSE WE DO!!! 😆 All of Tomie dePaola's Strega books are worth owning.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Lately Strega Nona has been distracted-she even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 

This enthralling modern fairy tale from Caldecott and Newbery Honor winner Tomie dePaola and debut illustrator Doug Salati celebrates the greatest power of all: love.

FROM SARAH:

A gorgeous picture book that captures the heart of Christ's mother beautifully! Highly recommend.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In sharing events from Mary's birth to her crowning as the Queen of Heaven, these fifteen stories will inspire a lifelong love for and devotion to Mary. They will draw children closer to her son and invite them, like Mary, to say Yes to the presence of Jesus in their lives.

FROM SARAH:

I love these early reader collections that give you a lot of bang for your buck, and of course this one is fabulous because it's written and illustrated by none other than Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Together for the first time in a collectable hardcover boxed set, join Andy & Sandy for four easy-to-read picture book adventures, from legendary author/illustrator Tomie dePaola and longtime Henson scribe Jim Lewis!

**Description from Amazon: Retells the traditional Mexican story about the country's patron saint, the Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to a poor Indian named Juan Diego in 1531

FROM SARAH:

Anything by Tomie dePaola is worth reading, but this one will especially capture the attention of your smallest reader! Be sure to look for the mouse stowing away treasures throughout the pages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

In Charlie Needs a Cloak, readers follow a shepherd as he shears his sheep, cards and spins the wool, weaves and dyes the cloth, and sews a beautiful new red cloak. Follow along with Tomie dePaola's incomparable illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

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

**Description from Amazon: In a gorgeous and contemplative new picture book, legendary author-illustrator Tomie dePaola reminds us that mindfulness—being quiet, still, and present with one another—is a very special thing.Everything is in such a hurry, busy as busy can be. The birds are flying so fast, the dragonfly is zoo...

**Description from Amazon: Beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola’s take on traditional “Jack tales”—in which a young hero ventures out to seek his fortune and gains it through luck or pluck—is perfect for preschoolers. His hero’s reward is a wealth of animal friends who increase in number—and volume—as the ...

FROM SARAH:

A board book ideal for toddlers, from my very favorite, Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

FROM SARAH:

The story of St. Patrick for the youngest set.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

From the author of Strega Nona comes the story of the shepherd who heard the voice of God and converted the Irish people, now in a special format just right for the youngest readers.

**Description from Amazon: A biography of the wealthy young Italian who gave away all his possessions to become a wandering preacher and protector of animals.

**Description from Amazon: Francis is so full of God?s love that he wants to sing His praises. His glorious singing inspires birds of every color, and even the sun and moon, to join him in joyful celebration. Tomie dePaola?s simple text and vibrant illustrations bring the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi to life for even the...

**Description from Amazon: A celebrated illustrator presents his interpretation of the legend of St. Christopher, who originally had been a giant named Reprobus out to serve the world's most powerful king, a ruler he finds when he carries the young Christ across a river.

FROM THE PUBLISHER: 
Newly refreshed with a contemporary redesign, Pascual and the Kitchen Angels tells the story of the patron saint of cooks and kitchens with luminous illustrations by the beloved Tomie dePaola.

FROM SARAH:

Another delightful story about saints by Tomie dePaola, this one set in Italy during the Middle Ages. This is a book worth owning for your permanent collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Offers the tale about two amazing twins, Benedict and Scholastica, and their experiences as children in northern Italy that influenced their great accomplishments in their adult lives.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

While picking out their Christmas tree, a couple of curious kids start to wonder where Christmas trees came from. Who invented the first one? How did they become so popular? And how have they changed over the years?

Celebrated children's author Tomie dePaola is here to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas trees--and everything you never even thought to wonder about. With bright illustrations and kid-friendly text, Tomie dePaola's Christmas Tree Book is full of facts, history, and legends.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A new edition of a beloved book on Brother Francis of Assisi by internationally acclaimed illustrator and author of children's books, Tomie dePaola.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The late, beloved children's book writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola, presents his unique, imaginative artwork to bring new life to this beautiful retelling of a well-loved and inspiring Bible story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A retelling of the Old Testament story of David the shepherd boy whose faith in God helped him overcome the Philistine giant Goliath.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Queen Esther, the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, bravely risked her life to prevent the killing of all the Jews in Persia. Colorful, delicate, and inspiring, Tomie dePaola's artwork brings to life his beautiful telling of this unique and important Bible story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This inventive and fresh Nativity story is told from a bird's-eye view. On the morning of the first Christmas, the birds of Bethlehem gather in the fields--not only to eat but to share the exciting news. People from all over have descended on Bethlehem and an angel has appeared in the night sky. Something extraordinary is coming! The birds agree that they must find this wondrous thing, and off they fly to the stable where a child has been born.

FROM SARAH:

This book is actually dedicated to... me. So I adore it, naturally. ❤️ It's also part of Christmas School 2021 in RAR Premium!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A very large cat may be the key to saving Christmas in this wryly humorous retelling of the Norwegian fairytale The Cat on the Dovrefjell.