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.
That was 40 years ago when Tomie was asked to illustrate SOUND.
Tomie has now illustrated over 200 books and written the stories
for over 100 of those books. He has book projects scheduled
for years to come.
He works in a new studio attached to a renovated 200-year-old
barn in New London, New Hampshire.
MORE BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION can be found in…
TOMIE dePAOLA, HIS ART & HIS STORIES, by Barbara Elleman
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1999
CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND THEIR CREATORS (Anita Silvey, Editor)
Houghton Mifflin, 1995
SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR AUTOBIOGRAPHY SERIES (Volume 15)
Gale Research, 1993
MAJOR AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
Gale Research, 1992
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE REVIEW (Volume 24)
Gale Research, 1991
SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR (Volume 59)
Gale Research, 1990
BIOGRAPHICAL
HIGHLIGHTS…
Tomie dePaola is best known for his works for children.
Tomie has been published for nearly 40 years.
Over 6 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his
books in the children's book world.
Caldecott Honor Award for STREGA NONA from American Library Association (ALA)
Newbery Honor Award for 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE from ALA
Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association
Living Treasure from New Hampshire Governor's Arts Awards
Tomie dePaola has illustrated over 200 books and written the stories for over
100 of those books.
Most popular character featured in eight books is "Strega Nona" (in
Italian, "Grandma Witch"), a wise, loving and gentle woman who possesses
magical powers.
Also popular are Tomie's autobiographical stories and stories based on his
life as a youngster, such as, the "26 Fairmount Avenue" series of
chapter books. Some of his stories based on his real life are ethnic (Irish
and/or Italian); some are humorous; some are touching; but none are sentimental.
All of them exude reverence for family.
Tomie's newest series is "Barker Twins" - twin dog characters, inspired
by his own dogs, who face contemporary boyhood and girlhood challenges.
Tomie dePaola is a popular speaker.
He receives over 1000 speaking engagements yearly.
Tomie dePaola has been profiled and interviewed by many print,
TV and radio media.
THE TODAY SHOW, weekday edition, NBC-TV
THE TODAY SHOW, Saturday edition, NBC-TV
THE EARLY SHOW, weekday edition, CBS-TV
CNN MORNING NEWS, CNN-TV
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, National Public Radio
THE NEW YORK TIMES and THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
THE WASHINGTON POST
USA TODAY
Education
1956, BFA Pratt Institute, Brooklyn,New York
1969, MFA, California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California
(now called California College of the Arts)
1970, doctoral equivalency, Lone Mountain College, San Francisco, California
Teaching Career
1962-3 Instructor of Art
Newton College of the Sacred Heart
Newton, Massachuetts
1963-6 Assistant Professor of Art
Newton College of the Sacred Heart
Newton, Massachuetts
1967-70 Assistant Professor of Art
San Francisco College for Women
(later called Lone Mountain College)
San Francisco, California
1972-3 Instructor of Art
Chamberlayne Junior College
Boston, Massachusetts
1973-6 Associate Professor, Designer, Technical Director in Speech and Theater
Colby-Sawyer College
New London, New Hampshire
1976-8 Associate Professor of Art
New England College
Henniker, New Hampshire
1978-9 Artist-in-Residence
New England College
Henniker, New Hampshire |
