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The Beautiful World of Tomie dePaola
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Strega Nona
Tomie dePaola
Softbound, Large Format
A Caldecott Honor Book
$7.99
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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.
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Big Anthony and the Magic Ring
Tomie dePaola
Softbound, Large Format
$6.00
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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
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The Clown of God
Tomie
dePaola
$7.00
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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 - juxtaposiing 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.
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Francis
The Poor Man of Assisi
Tomie dePaola
Softbound, Large Format
$9.95
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Tomie de Paola's love of this saint is evident on every page
- and there are many pages and a much longer story than is
usual for this author. It is as though he doesn't want us
to miss even one small part of the life of this saint who
dedicated himself to manifesting God's love in poverty and
simplicity. And there is little missing in this telling of
the life of St. Francis - every major theme in his life is
present in this book, accompanied by what may be the most
sensitive paintings among de Paola's hundreds of beautiful
watercolors. In each of the paintings that illustrate this
book, there is a restraint that lends both power and grace
to these luminous portrayals of St. Francis and St. Clare
(for Francis's life cannot be told without Clare). This book
is a treasure - children 6 to 10 will love it.
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Patrick
Patron Saint of Ireland
Tomie dePaola
Softbound, Large Format
$6.95
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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.
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Christopher
The Holy Giant
Tomie dePaola
Hardbound, Large Format
$17.95
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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.
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The Holy Twins
Benedict and Scholastica
Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaola
Hardbound, Dustjacketed, Large Format
$18.99
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Benedict and Scholastic were two very miraculous yet very
human saints - they were also siblings, and their conversations
and beliefs continue to inspire us even though it has been
1500 years since they lived. Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaola
have created a moving account of their lives.
The twins grew up in the mountains of northern Italy and
were lively best-friends and playmates to each other. When
they reached adulthood, Benedict traveled to Rome to study
while Scholastica entered a nearby convent. Scholastic was
happy in her new life; Benedict enjoyed his studies but disliked
the city life of Rome. He moved to the countryside and became
a man of solitude and prayer. However, as his reputation grew,
more and more people sought him out - some to plot against
him, some out of reverence. As Benedicts life filled with
dramatic moments and miracles, Scholastica's quietude helped
her to remain a strong influence upon her brother as he developed
the Rules of St. Benedict, which guide Benedictine monasteries
to this day.
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The Night of Las Posadas
Tomie dePaola
Softbound, Large Format
$6.99
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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.
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Charlie Needs a Cloak
Tomie
dePaola
$5.95
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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.
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The Cloud Book
Tomie dePaola
Softbound
$6.95
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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.
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Andy
(That's My Name)
Tomie dePaola
Softbound
$6.99
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Andy (That's My Name) is a cheering story that serves
not only as a guidepost for what teasing others really looks
like (not good) and what to do if you are teased (it's a lot
simpler than you think!), but also an introduction to the
sounds of different letters (namely, A-N-D-Y and some of their
friends). The result, in Tomie dePaola's hands, is pure fun
and uplift - for ages 3-7 and their parents and teachers.
Here's the storyline: Andy may be a little kid, but he's
very important. And even though he doesn't know how
to read yet, he does know his name. In fact, he brings it
with him everywhere he goes! When the big kids decide to play
with Andy's letters, Andy is left out of their game. But then
Andy remembers - ANDY is his name, not theirs!
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The Knight and the Dragon
Tomie dePaola
Softbound
$5.99
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The Knight and the Dragon is a variation of the "Holy
Fool" genre of tales. In this instance, both the knight
and the dragon share the spotlight as fools - the knight has
no skills in his trade but believes that if he reads enough
books about it, he will be able to fight fierce dragons. Likewise,
the dragon is utterly lacking in any of the qualities that
enable successful battle against knights - he, too, reads
books on the subject and believes himself to now be equipped
to wage fierce battle against the knight. The attempted battles
of these two are hilarious, conducted largely without words
but with a series of unmistakable pictures. Finally, the princess
(who is also the local librarian!) comes to their rescue -
she hands them books that offer them a vocation within their
capacities. Together the knight and the dragon embark on a
new partnership - a very successful one, this time.
This is one of the rare modern "fairy tales" that
I really enjoy - I think the portrait it creates goes well
beyond the superficial and speaks to many things that our
children wonder about in this world of ours. Both delightful
and meaningful, for children ages 3-7 and their grown-ups.
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