Pages of Music, by Tony Johnston. "Long ago a painter and her son, Paolo, visited the poor but beautiful island of Sardinia, and a shepherd shared with them his thin, hard bread called fogli di musica, pages of music. When the mother offered to pay, the shepherd smiled, took up his pipes, and filled the air with notes so sweet that Paolo danced and sang with joy. Many years later, Paolo, a gifted composer and conductor, still hears in his heart the shepherd's pipes and has a wonderful idea. He brings his entire orchestra to the island, and on Christmas morning shares with the shepherds his own 'pages of music' - a song of a night long ago, a blazing star, and a child born in a manger. Together Tony Johnston's gentle story of giving and sharing and Tomie dePaola's glowing illustrations with their authentic Italian setting form a truly unusual Christmas book for families to treasure for years to come." (Ages 5-6) 1988
Pancakes for Breakfast, larger format in paperback. IN PRINT "Pass the syrup, please! Missing ingredients and mischievous pets create one funny complication after another for a little old lady determined to make pancakes for breakfast. This new edition of the award-winning Tomie dePaola's wordless picture book classic is delicious and delightful!" (Ages 4-7) 2018 More Information
Parker Pig, Esquire. "Parker Pig, Esquire, and his house, the Folly, in Yorkshire, were very much alike: a bit untidy around the edges, but friendly and very comfortable. Then one day Parker's friends came to the Folly for a holiday visit. 'You're always so wrinkled, Parker,' said Brian. 'Why don't you pull yourself together?' 'You should really arrange this room better,' said Moya. 'Such a hodgepodge.' When Parker decided to take this advice seriously, everyone was surprised and, surprisingly, not very happy. The sprightly, stylized three-color pictures by Tomie dePaola, the author/artist, add to the fun of this charming Yorkshire pig story." (Ages 4-8) 1969
Pascual and the Kitchen Angels. "When Pascual is born, angels sing from the trees. When he sings to the sheep, they sing back. All the animals love this special boy. So it is no surprise when he grows up and wants to join a monastery to help the poor. Mama sends him off with a big basket of food for the friars, and they send Pascual to the kitchen to cook for them. Poor Pascual! He doesn't know how to cook, so he prays. And that's when the kitchen angels swoop down and prepare a feast so delicious that the friars want Pascual to cook every night. What can he do? Exquisite illustrations reminiscent of Italian frescoes capture the beauty and humor of Pascual's story. Children and cooks alike will smile and wish they had their own kitchen angels." (Ages 4-8) 2004
Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. IN PRINT/eBook "Patrick was born into a noble family and grew up in Britain, near the Irish Sea. When he was a young boy, a group of bandits captured him, took him to Ireland, and sold him as a slave. For the next six years, Patrick worked as a shepherd. He spent much of his time in prayer, and his faith in God grew strong. Then one night he heard a voice that told him to return to 'his own country.' Patrick left Ireland. He traveled first to France, then to Britain, and finally back to Ireland, since another voice encouraged him to 'come and walk among us again.' Now a bishop, Patrick established the first church in the Emerald Isle. He converted thousands of Irish people to the Christian faith, risking his life and facing danger many times along the way. On March 17, 461, Patrick died. After his death, he was made a saint. In words and pictures, Tomie dePaola tells the story of Patrick's life and includes several of the best-known legends about him. Some people say that St. Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland by beating a drum that scared them into the sea. Others claim that he turned a cruel ruler into a fox. Tomie says that his Irish mother, Flossie Downey dePaola, has been after him for years to remember Ireland's patron saint with a book. He is happy to have finally done so." (Ages 5-8) 1992
Petook: An Easter Story, by Caryll Houselander. "Petook is happy because he has just become the proud father of twelve chickens. But when he hears that a stranger has been seen in the vineyard near his wife Martha and her brood, Petook flies to their side. 'When he got to Martha he knew that he need not have been afraid. It is true that there was a boy there, but this boy was kneeling by the little brown hen with a look of wonder on his face...' Years go by... and Petook has grown old. Again, Martha is sitting on a nest of new eggs. While Petook waits for the chickens to be born, he see three tall crosses on a distant hill. And a body being lifted - the body of the boy who years before visited Martha and her chicks, and later was heard to say: 'Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings as the hen gathers her chicks, and you would not.' Renowned religious writer Caryll Houselander has subtly conveyed the Easter message of 'new life' in a beautiful story." (Ages 4 and up) 1988
The Popcorn Book. IN PRINT/eBook "Tony likes to cook. Tiny likes to read. But both twins like to eat... POPCORN! So while Tiny cooks it, Tony reads about: what it is, how it's stored, how it's cooked, how different Indian people made it, how much popcorn Americans eat, popcorn stories and legends, and popcorn recipes. Tomie dePaola, who eats a lot of popcorn, shares what he knows about it with humor and imagination." (Ages 5-8) 1978
The Prince of the Dolomites: An Old Italian Tale. "Even as a child the prince was fascinated by the moon, rising over the dark Dolomites mountains in northern Italy, where his widowed mother ruled as queen. 'Is there a way to go to the moon?' he would often ask Maga Rosa, his nurse. When he comes of marrying age, his mother invites princesses from all over Italy to meet the handsome prince, but none of them touches his heart. During the ball the prince steps into the garden for air and in the light of a full moon has a vision that renders him faint and incoherent. In it he has seen the princess of his dreams, who lives, alas, in the kingdom on the moon. From that day forward the poor prince can think of nothing but the moon. He sleeps by day and spends the nights gazing heavenward whenever the moon shows itself to the earth. The once-loved future monarch becomes the object of jokes by his people, who call him 'Prince Pazzo' (Prince Moonstruck). One night the prince meets a band of strange little people, the Italian legendary 'Salvani,' who, in return for a gift from his kingdom, help him to make a magical journey to the moon and to his princess. It is not long before their wedding is celebrated, but their happiness is soon threatened until the Salvani appear once again to save them. Tomie dePaola has produced a dazzling rendition of this ageless story of love, sacrifice, and reward that will linger long in the hearts of its readers." (Ages 6-10) 1980
The Quicksand Book. "Poor Jungle Girl! She falls into quicksand. Jungle Boy finds her. Jungle Girl starts to sink while Jungle Boy tells her: where and how quicksand forms, why people sink in quicksand, what happens to animals in quicksand, how people can watch out for quicksand, and what people should do if they fall into quicksand. But Jungle Girl does not sink forever. There is a happy and surprising ending. And a quicksand experiment. For someone who has not fallen into quicksand, author-artist Tomie dePaola knows a lot about it." (Ages 5-8) 1977
The Quilt Story, by Tony Johnston. IN PRINT "A little girl moves across miles of plains to a new home. Too new. Feeling sad and lonely, she turns to a familiar old friend for comfort - her patchwork quilt. Generations later, another little girl moves across miles of highways to her new home. And she too finds warmth in her new surroundings through the same quilt. Tony Johnston has created a charming story that is sure to appeal to any child who has ever felt lonely and found consolation in a special belonging. And Tomie dePaola's wonderful paintings, steeped in folk art tradition, make this a book to be shared by generations of readers." (Ages 3-5) 1985
Robin Goodfellow and the Giant Dwarf, by Michael Jennings. "Are you afraid of the Bogeyman? Really, you shouldn't be. His real name is Robin Goodfellow, and he's just a frisky elf, not a bit mean - but very mischievous. This is the story of a prank he plays on a slow-witted giant. The poor giant think he's caught in a spell and isn't sure whether he's a giant dwarf or a gorilla. Even the giant's mother and big brother are not certain. The Candy Witch and the Frog Witch are no help, and when he seeks out the dwarfs they mistake him for a robber. Who knows what the outcome might be if Robin doesn't find a way to come to his rescue. Young boys and girls will have a delightful time with this merry fantasy and Tomie dePaola's mirthful pictures." (Ages 4-8) 1981
Rutherford T. Finds 21 B, by Barbara Rinkoff. "It was Rutherford Turner's first day at school. But he was new in the neighborhood and had no friend to show him the way. 'Remember, go to Room 21-B,' his mother said, 'and speak up loud and clear. You'll have lots of friends soon.' Rutherford whispered his name and his room number all the way to school. Then he said it out loud to everyone he saw. And before long Rutherford had more friends than he could count and knew his way all around that strange place called school." (Ages 4-8) 1970