Posted on September 15, 2013
I love Tomie dePaola's simple, clean, charming illustration style. I remember reading some of his books over and over again to my kids.
Like the story about a little girl who isn't allowed to do anything, because she must keep her white dresses clean...
And his Strega Nona books, and his Christmas books...really, a lot of books!Tomie dePaola has written and/or illustrated more than 250 books! And he knew that he wanted to do that when he was just four years old. Some other interests were dancing and singing. DePaola's family encouraged all of his interests, and he attended an art school called Pratt and later got a Master's degree at California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. (That's the college where my daughter and son-in-law earned their degrees!)
This beloved author/illustrator was born in New England (Connecticut, to be exact) on this date in 1934, and he lives in New England (New Hampshire) now.
It's so wonderful to be a writer – you can get paid for writing about your life! Several of dePaola's books are about growing up in his family. These include The Art Lesson, Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs, and the intriguingly titled book Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup!Also on this date:
Plan Ahead!
Check out my Pinterest pages on September holidays, September birthdays, and historical anniversaries in September.
And here are my Pinterest pages on October holidays, October birthdays, and historical anniversaries in October.