Tomie dePaola : Teacher Resource File

Welcome to the Internet School Library Media Center. You'll find biographical resources, bibliography and lesson plans on Tomie dePaola. You will find information on other authors and illustrators of children's books at Authors and Illustrators of Children's & Young Adults' Literature. You can search the ISLMC for other author information, use an index or site map. Revised 1/23/00

[Biography] [Biography Links] [Bibliography] [Unit / Lesson Plans] [Some Awards] [References]

Biography

Tomie dePaola, whose given name is Thomas Anthony de Paola, was born in Meriden, Connecticut in 1934 of an Irish and Italian background. From an early age his ambition was to create picture books. His mother, a book lover, read to him and his brother and encouraged their love of books. He credits the Saturday morning radio show, "Let's Pretend," in helping to develop his imagination. At the ripe "old age" of ten, he wrote books for his younger sisters' birthdays. One of these books was Glimmera, the Story of a Mermaid.

dePaola has drawn upon his own childhood experiences in writing books. For example, his own Italian grandmother was the model for the grandmother in Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup.

His career as a professional artist and designer paralleled his success as an author. A prolific writer, he produces sometimes two to four children's books a year. He combined this career with an academic one, teaching at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. He enjoyed many "one man shows" in Boston which featured his drawings and set designs. Many of his murals adorn the walls of Catholic churches and monasteries in New England. His book, Clown of God, is a beautiful expression of a poor one's gift to the serene mother and playful child.

[Back to Top]

Biography Links
Tomie dePaola

Bob Hectel works for Tomie DePaola and maintains this unofficial

site with current information and Tomie's address.
Tomi dePaola

From Educational Paperback Association
Tomie dePaola

From SimonSays
Open Door Com's Tomie dePaola
An Interview with Tomie dePaola

Interview and biography from Childsplay
Help for: They Won't Let Me Play with Them

Use Oliver Button Is a Sissy in helping youngsters who may feel

like outsiders in the classroom.
Character Education by the Book

Discussion of Oliver Button Is a Sissy.

[Back to Top]

Bibliography
The World of Reading

Book reviews by kids. Search "author" for de Paola.

Some 21 titles reviewed
Open Door Com-Tomie dePaola Bibliography

Articles, books about dePaola.

[Back to Top]

Unit & Lesson Plans
Celebrating Cultures with Tomie dePaola WebQuest

Egypt, Ireland Italy; By Karen Williams et al, Memphis Public Schools
Scholastic Search

Search Scholastic's site for many links related to his books.
Scholastic. Story Studio

Grade 2, Unit 4. Storytelling and creative imagery through reading
On the Job

Grade 3 Unit 3 from Scholastic Literacy Place Matrix. "Let There Be Light" uses

dePaola's The Legend of the Persian Carpet. Also has

unit on dePaola.
Strega Nona Language Arts

Third Grade. By Lisa Paz. From Collaborative Lesson Plans
Indian/Modern Day Legends

Fourth Grade; By Betsy Green. Collaborative Lesson Plans

site. [Legend of the Blue Bonnet, Legend of the Paint Brush]
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

Suggested activities for lesson plans from Reading Rainbow.
Virginia PEN's Favorite Book Characters

Strega Nona included. Kid review; spaghetti squares

recipe; information on Italy
Mrs. Grogan's Second Grade Class-Putnam Valley NY

Learn about their class project
Empires and Cultures of the Americas

Unit and lesson plans suggestions for Plains Indians.

Includes The Legend of the Bluebonnet
Guide for "The Legend of the Bluebonnet"

Anticipation guide; Grades K-4. From KidReach
Guide for "The Legend of Indian Paintbrush"

Anticipation guide for lesson plans.

Grades 5-8. From KidReach
Unit Plan The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush and The Legend of the Bluebonnet

Grades Levels 2-3 by Carole Hughey
Maskerade||Myself||And No Other

Unit and lesson plans, grades K-6. Watch Out for the

Chicken Feet in Your Soup; multicultural.
Marshmallows in the Sky

Grade 3; lesson on clouds; uses The Cloud Book

[Back to Top]

Some Awards
Aesop Award...........................1994.....Christopher the Holy Giant
Golden Kite Award Honor Book..........1987.....What the Mailman Brought
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.....1982.....The Friendly Beasts: An Old English Christmas Card
Golden Kite Award.....................1982.....Giorgio's Village
Caldecott Honor Book..................1976.....Stega Nona

[Back to Top]

References
For more information about Tomie dePaola, consult:

Something About the Author, Gail Research.

Illustrators of Books for Young People, Scarecrow Press,

Illustrator of Children's Books: 1967-1976, The Horn Book, Inc.

[Back to Top]

Return to"
Children's & YA Authors & Illustrators
Children's Lit/Elementary Resources
YA Lit/Middle & Secondary Resources