The Lady of Guadalupe. eBook "One of the most popular traditional stories in Mexico is that of its patron saint, the Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to a poor Indian named Juan Diego in 1531. It was just before dawn that Juan Diego set out for the church in Santiago. As he neared a hill, he heard the sound of birds and saw a cloud of radiant colors. Then a beautiful lady in the robes of an Aztec princess appeared before him and said she was the Mother of God, and had an important message for him to take to the Bishop of Mexico. She asked that Juan Diego tell the Bishop to build a church in her honor on the hill where she was standing. Juan Diego hurried off with the Lady's message, but the Bishop was a busy man. Juan Diego was kept waiting and, when His Excellency finally did see him, he told Juan Diego to come back in three days. Juan Diego was sad. Why had the Lady chosen him, a poor ignorant farmer, to carry her message to someone as important as the Bishop? But the Lady reassured him. Two more times she appeared to Juan Diego, and two more times he visited the Bishop. The third and last time, Juan Diego carried a special, miraculous sign from the Lady, one that the Bishop could not ignore." (Ages 4 and up) 1980
The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story. IN PRINT/eBook "Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. 'Cranky old lady,' the children say. 'She is always sweeping!' Sweep, sweep, sweep. But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her little world will never be the same. In this warm reissue of his 1980 classic, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates a beloved Italian Christmas story, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child." (Ages 4-8) 1980/2017 More Information
The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas. IN PRINT "Thick clusters of vivid blue flowers, which resemble old-fashioned sunbonnets, cover the Texas hills in the springtime every year. These lovely wild flowers, known by the name of bluebonnet, are the state flower of Texas. This favorite legend based on Comanche Indian lore, tells the story of how the bluebonnet came to be. Tomie dePaola's powerful retelling and his magnificent full-color paintings perfectly capture the Comanche People, the Texas hills, and the spirit of She-Who-Is-Alone, a little girl who made a sacrifice to save her tribe." (Ages 4-8) 1983
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. IN PRINT "In spring, the hills and meadows of Texas and Wyoming are ablaze with the reds, oranges and yellows of the Indian Paintbrush. How this striking plant received its name is told in an old Indian legend. Many years ago, when the People traveled the Plains, a young Indian boy had a Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he would create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset. The boy grew up to become the painter of the tribe, but although he found a pure white buckskin for a canvas and made paints from the brightest flowers and the reddest berries, he could not capture the sunset. How the young Indian artist finally fulfills his Dream-Vision is lovingly told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, in words and pictures that capture the spirit and beauty of this dramatic legend." (Ages 4-8) 1988
The Legend of the Persian Carpet, by Tomie dePaola, illustrated by Claire Ewart. "Long ago in Persia, there lived a kind and generous king named Balash. Each day he opened the doors of his palace to share with the people his most prized possession: a diamond that cast light on the walls, in every color of the rainbow. Then one day a thief stole the jewel, and the kingdom was thrown into despair. It was up to a small boy named Payam, an apprentice in the street of weavers, to think of a way to bring back the light of the diamond. For the first time, Tomie dePaola's clever storytelling has been illustrated by another artist, Claire Ewart. Her sumptuous paintings give this tale all the warmth of a glorious Persian carpet." (Ages 4-8) 1993
The Legend of the Poinsettia. IN PRINT "In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuena - flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside. A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. 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." (Ages 4-8) 1994
Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise. IN PRINT/eBook "Celebrate Your World! There's joy to be found everywhere you look - the sun and moon, mountains and rivers, plants and animals, and all people, young and old. Inspired by Old Testament Scripture and the beautiful folk art of the Otomi people in Puebla, Mexico, beloved author-illustrator Tomie dePaola praises the beauty of Creation, making this book a delight to share with the whole family." (Ages 3-5) 2011
Light and Sight, by Melvin L. Alexenberg. "If you would like to work and learn as a scientist does, then follow the Gloop through Light and Sight. Have you ever wondered why you look so funny when you see yourself in the fender of a car? Or, why some shadows are large and some are small? You can find out about the world of light and sight from mirrors, water, lightbulbs or even you mother's cookie sheet." (Ages 4-8) 1969
The Little Friar Who Flew, by Patricia Lee Gauch. "Everyone in the village called Joseph 'Little Donkey' because he was such a clumsy, foolish fellow. Or so they all thought. More and more Joseph wandered off by himself. But, with the birds and the flowers in the fields as his friends, he was never unhappy. In fact, one day, when he felt particularly joyful, a strange thing happened. Joseph began to fly! Patricia Lee Gauch has based her warm and funny story on the legend of St. Joseph of Copertino, the patron saint of aviators. Tomie dePaola's seventeeth-century Italian village and its colorful characters surround a spirited, happy friar who simply could not keep his feet on the ground." (Ages 4-8) 1980
Little Grunt and the Big Egg: A Prehistoric Fairy Tale. IN PRINT/eBook "Ooga, ooga! Little Grunt just returned home to the big cave, past the volcano on the left, with the biggest egg the Grunt Tribe has ever seen! They put the egg by the hearth and all go to bed with dreams of a special Sunday brunch. But that night by the flickering firelight, the egg begins to make noise. CLICK, CRACK goes the egg. CLICK, CRACK, CLUNK, PLOP. The egg breaks in half, leaving the Grunts a surprise they'll never forget!" (Ages 4-8) 1990/2006 More Information
Little Poems for Tiny Ears, by Lin Oliver. IN PRINT/eBook "For babies and toddlers, each moment is full of wonder and discovery. This charming collection of original poems celebrates the everyday things that enthrall little ones and is the perfect introduction to the bouncy, playful sound of poetry. Beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola's endearing children are the perfect match for Lin Oliver's lighthearted poems. Together they've created a book to be treasured that captures the magic and fun of being new in the world." (Ages Baby-3) 2014 Followed by Steppin' Out: Jaunty Rhymes for Playful Times
Look and Be Grateful. IN PRINT "Open your eyes and look all around. All of us have reasons, large and small, to be thankful. In this joyous and meditative book, Tomie dePaola urges every one of us to consider the gifts each day brings." (Ages 5-6) 2015
Look in the Mirror, by Sam and Beryl Epstein. "Mirrors are tricky. With a mirror or two you can do some very strange things. Did you know that you can see the back of your head in a mirror - or that you can see around a corner with a mirror? You can stand in one room and see what's going on in the next room by using a mirror, too. With different kinds of mirrors you can see some pretty funny images of yourself and your friends. How do you think you would look if you used a spoon for a mirror? The Authors of Look in the Mirror help you find out many new things about mirrors. Tomie dePaola's lively illustrations are in three colors and black-and-white. A companion book to Pick It Up and Hold Everything." (Ages 4-8) 1973