Spring Ledge Farm unveiled its “Pumpkin People” display yesterday: Pumpkin Strega Nona and Pumpkin Tomie. I probably didn’t need to tell you.
Tomie loved the “Pumpkin People” displays. I would slowly drive him through New London several times each October so he could enjoy the clever use of pumpkins. (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
Prior to our visit to Washington, DC, in the 1980s, I was able to arrange an interview for Tomie by the wonderful Susan Stamberg on “All Things Considered” at the National Public Radio studios.
I was trying yesterday to see if that interview was archived online.
I didn’t find the interview, but I found this… “Storytime with Zuzu,” during which Susan Stamberg reads STREGA NONA.
https://www.facebook.com/NPR/videos/269519980732053/?fref=mentions&__tn__=K-R
(Make sure to turn on the sound in the Zoom panel.) (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
This poster illustration Tomie did in 1993 is one of my favorites.
The back of the poster promoted Tabor Publishing’s “Children of God” program: “A New Early Childhood Catechetical Program for Children Ages 3, 4, 5 (K) and Their Families.” (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
Copyright - Estate of Tomie dePaola and Whitebird, Inc.
Tomie was scheduled to receive an honorary degree alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen in 2018 at New Hampshire Institute of Art’s commencement. But, Tomie wasn’t feeling well that morning and I emailed the president of the Institute as we sat in the emergency room of the hospital. I told him I would email Tomie’s remarks after we left the hospital.
Tomie received the honorary degree certificate weeks later. The citation read that Tomie was the “creative visionary” behind “Barney and Friends.” If, only!
I contacted the Institute to correct their error and they gave Tomie a revised certificate. However, I asked what source was used to write the citation.
It seems as if the researcher consulted Tomie’s Wikipedia page and made the leap from “Tomie had made appearances on ‘Barney and Friends’” to Tomie was “the creative visionary” behind “Barney and Friends.”
Tomie visited a class at the Institute and spoke to students and faculty months later during a noontime talk/conversation. We learned the next day that Tomie had angered students with some of his remarks.
Tomie had been sharing his own experiences at Pratt Institute. His instructors had told the students they weren’t yet artists and encouraged them to learn skills that would eventually help them create their own unique style and art.
The Institute students felt Tomie was telling them they were not already artists.
After the talk/conversation, Tomie autographed books. When we were ready to leave, we realized no one from the Institute had stayed to escort us out of the building. The room was empty. It was rather comical. We were on the top floor of the building and had no idea where to exit.
Several wrong turns later, we found our way to the parking lot.
I was tempted to write the Institute with the basic tips of hosting. (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
Tomie received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association in 2011. (The award was renamed the Children’s Literature Legacy Award in 2018.) The award was given for “substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.”)
Tomie had hoped his publishers would celebrate the recognition with a party, but none materialized, so he threw his own.
The day of the party was a beautiful, sunny July day. Friends and industry folks mingled inside his home, on the deck, and among the gardens.
Suzy Staubach (left) and Terri Goldich (right) came to the party representing the University of Connecticut. As they drove north in Terri’s Jeep (we’re not talking a “fancy” Jeep), Terri became envious of Suzy’s straw hat. Terri also wanted a garden hat.
They found Terri a hat in a New London pharmacy - maybe not the first place you think of when you want clothing accessories.
Tomie got the grand celebration he desired… even if he had to give it to himself. (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
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