Tomie de Paola

Strega Nona

Strega Nona is a family favorite that brings back some of the warmest, best memories. Tomie de Paola bases his original story on the old Italian legends of Strega Nona, or "Grandma Witch." Of course, she's not really a witch at all, but an old wise woman herbalist who takes care of the whole town (even the priest!) when they are ill. De Paola's watercolors beautiful set the story in Calabria, the graceful stucco-and-tile buildings forming the backdrop to what unfolds as an emmensely funny story. It seems that in addition to being able to cure peoples maladies, Strega Nona possess a magic pot that always serves up enough spaghetti to feed her and anyone else who is hungry. When she hires Big Anthony to help around her little farm and then goes away for a few days to visit her friend, the trouble begins. Big Anthony had watched and watched from his hiding place to learn the secret of the magic pot. He thought he had learned everything, but there was one very special secret he never saw. You and your children will love watching Big Anthony get in and out of the biggest mess the town has ever seen. Guaranteed laughs and smiles for children from 4 to 8.

Big Anthony and the Magic Ring

Big Anthony is back - and finds his way into more trouble. When Strega Nona shows him a magic ring that can transform her into a beautiful princess (and this is quite a transformation!), Big Anthony decides he simply must try it, too. So, of course, he waits until Strega Nona leaves for the day and takes the ring out of its hiding place. And it works! Big Anthony becomes the handsomest man in all the land - so handsome that all the young ladies have to dance with him. But what happens when Anthony needs some rest but can't remember the right formula to make the ring change him back into his true self? In our house, a lot of laughter happens - I expect it will in your house, too!

The Clown of God

Tomie dePaola's retelling of the French legend of the clown whose final gift to God is a selfless outpouring of his talents is gloriously sensitive, graceful and ultimately deeply moving and inspiring. His luminous watercolor illustrations are bright, alive and graceful - juxtaposing the stucco, tile and stone buildings of medieval Europe as a backdrop to the bright costumes of The Clown of God. The result is one that delights the eye as it assures the heart that all shall truly be well. The story culminates on a Christmas Eve of long ago, yet alive in our hearts to this day. The Clown of God remains a family favorite--our teenagers (and their parents) still pull it off the shelf to remind themselves of the truer things in life. Illustrated with Tomie dePaola's characteristic humor, good taste and beautiful use of color. A gift for children ages 6 and older.

Patrick

There is a sacred simplicity to Tomie de Paola's art when he writes of saints and goodness. This quality shines forth in Patrick. With an abundance of green and blue, just like the Emerald Isle, both de Paola's pictures and his words recreate the life of Patrick from his boyhood as a lonely shepherd whose solitude gifted him with a mystical and personal relationship with God, to the Saint who brought healing and unity to the Irish people. This is a story that will be loved by children 6 to 9 and beyond.

Christopher

One of the most beautiful and powerful "saint stories" is that of Reprobus who became Christopher. It is a whose strong yet graceful images capture the essence of the nature of transformation, of holiness, of divine grace. Every child I've known who has heard it has been captivated by it, wanting to become Christopher, to carry the Christ Child across the storming waters.

Tomie dePaola's retelling, accompanied by his sensitive and radiant watercolors, is a rendition worthy of the power of this story. Outstanding.

The Night of Las Posadas

It is time for the celebration of Las Posadas, the festival of Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem. Sister Angie has organized the tradition for many years. The people in the small mountain town reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter the night Jesus was born. This year Angie's neice, Lupe, and Lupe's husband, Roberto, are going to play the parts of Mary and Joseph. But when Sister Angie becomes sick and Lupe and Roberto get stuck in a snowstorm, only a miracle can save Las Posadas.

This is an extraordinarily warm and beautiful story - one that touches the heart as it illuminates the truth of love within a festival celebration. Very highly recommended.

Charlie Needs a Cloak

Charlie the Shepherd needs a new cloak - really needs one! So, in the springtime he shears his flock and, with the help of a very friendly sheep and a scurrying mouse, he dyes, spins, weaves, and sews a beautiful new cloak. Just in time for winter, too! This is an old family favorite - we hope you enjoy it as much as our children did.

The Cloud Book

This is a sweet little book that is just right for children around 4-6, when they start wondering about the world around them. In anyone else's hands, I think the chances are good that this subject would have been treated the way most "storybooks" bent on teaching - dry, dry, and not really for children at all. The Cloud Book captures the beauty and wonder of the billowy puffs that float far above us and brings to life the folklore and imagery clouds have evoked throughout the ages. Instead of just conveying facts, The Cloud Book captivates the imagination - children and adults will be pondering, noticing, and enjoying clouds for years and years after the last reading.