New Releases by Tomie dePaola

In this holiday follow-up to Tomie dePaola’s Caldecott Honor–winning Strega Nona, our favorite Grandma-Witch is back and bringing her magic to Christmas with a town feast—can she count on Big Anthony as her only helper? It’s Christmas time in Calabria and with Strega Nona’s annual feast around the corner, she has no time for her usual magical tasks. Christmas has a magic of its own, and no one knows magic like Strega Nona does, especially Big Anthony. But with the clock ticking on her preparations, will Big Anthony finally be able to prove that he can be counted on with some magic of his own? With warm illustrations in Tomie’s classic folk-art style, this refreshed addition to the Strega Nona series is a must-have for fans of all ages.

This beautifully illustrated collection has been carefully refreshed and is back with its thirty-one classic Christmas carols illustrated by the beloved Tomie dePaola that will be perfect for making the holidays merry and bright. Christmas is a time for warm family gatherings, the sharing of gifts and festive meals, and everywhere, there is music! Carols with familiar melodies and lyrics telling stories of events from long ago have delighted young and old for generations. This intricately illustrated collection of Tomie’s favorite Christmas carols, first published in 1987, highlights dePaola’s love of Christmas and its traditions and is the perfect family gift to celebrate the holiday. Vibrant, glowing paintings illuminate every page of sheet music.

This new edition of the joyful celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi features a contemporary design and beloved Tomie dePaola’s signature art refreshed to its original brilliance and vivacity. Come and bless the Lord, Because the Lord loves you. Francis is so full of God’s love that he wants to sing His praises. His glorious singing inspires birds of every color, and even the sun and moon, to join him in joyful celebration. Tomie dePaola’s simple text and vibrant, fully refreshed illustrations bring the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi to life for even the youngest children.

Newly refreshed with a contemporary redesign, Pascual and the Kitchen Angels tells the story of the patron saint of cooks and kitchens with luminous illustrations by the beloved Tomie dePaola. When Pascual is born, angels sing from the trees. So it is no surprise when he grows up and wants to join a monastery to help the poor. But when Pascual meets the friars, they send him 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 him to cook every night. What can he do? Tomie dePaola’s charming text and vibrant, fully refreshed illustrations reminiscent of Italian frescoes capture the beauty and humor of the story of Pascual, patron saint of the kitchens.

Discover Tomie dePaola’s versions of well-known poems, fables, and stories featuring his beloved style and wit, sure to delight young readers and older fans alike. With Tomie’s signature wry humor and winking charm, this collection of retellings is a beautifully illustrated ode to favorite childhood stories like The Three Bears, The Billy Goats Gruff, Rumpelstiltskin, and classic fairytales from Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm. Tomie’s rich, vibrant art is given a modern redesign with bright pops of color and a fresh new look for this re-release of the classic storybook.

An illustrated collection of poems, fables, and stories for the nursery, with an emphasis on traditional tales.

Tomie dePaola’s “gorgeous…sumptuous” (Horn Book Magazine) retelling of the story of the three wise kings is perfect for sharing with little ones during the Christmas season! Three wise men of the East, having seen a new star symbolizing the birth of a great king, follow the star to Bethlehem where they present gifts to the newborn Jesus. This beautiful rendition of the well-known tale is sure to delight young readers.

Tomie dePaola’s rambunctious 2004 classic returns to print just in time for the holiday season! With its brightly colored illustrations, playful narration, and seasonal cheer, this picture book is sure to be a holiday favorite for the whole family. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are having their entire family over for Christmas dinner. There’s Uncle Alfred the inventor from Bermuda; Sister Olga the opera singer; eight young children, including Baby Willie; even a polar bear named Oscar. With a family like this, mayhem is bound to follow, and from a snowball fight to the Christmas pageant, it’s a wild affair. But in the spirit of the season, everyone has a wonderful time—even the frazzled hosts!

From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a witty and charming Christmas tale about Santa getting ready for his big night until…oh no, he’s really got to GO...to the potty! Hurry, Santa! No time to rest, It’s Christmas Eve. And time to get dressed! It’s finally time for Santa to prepare for the most magical night of the year! But before he can spread Christmas cheer to every boy and girl, he must hurry up and get ready. Just when he’s almost out the door, Santa runs back inside because OH NO! Santa’s got to GO! Little ones will be chuckling with merry laughter when they find out that even Santa needs to go to the potty!

You see, clouds are fun, silly, and very interesting. Tomie dePaola—best-selling author of Strega Nona, Quiet, and many others—knows a lot about clouds. He also knows a lot about what people think of them. Some people see animals and pictures in clouds. The ancient Greeks believed that Hermes, the messenger of the gods, once stole the sun''s cattle, which were clouds. In this unique picture book, Tomie introduces some of the most common types of clouds, as well as the myths and legends inspired by their shapes. Simple, whimsical illustrations show the variations in shape and color that herald changes in the weather. This book will tell you many things about clouds we bet you didn''t know. Filled with his signature humor and gentle illustrations, Tomie dePaola''s approach to nonfiction is like no other. A Reading Rainbow book.

From New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tomie dePaola comes an adorable springtime story about fifteen bunnies who are planting a garden! Spring is here! That means it’s time for the Hopkins family to plant their beautiful gardens. But when fifteen eager rabbits try to dig, rake, plant, and water at the same time, will any work get done? From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a charming story about what happens when you have too many bunnies, perfectly suited in a gifty board book.

From New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tomie dePaola comes an adorable story about little lambs getting their spring haircuts! Winter is finally over! That means it’s time for the Woolsey lambs to get their spring haircuts! They can’t wait to have fun in the warm sun. But the next morning, the fields are covered in snow, and the newly shorn sheep are shivering! Luckily, Granny has the perfect surprise for the family in this delightful story from award-winning author Tomie dePaola, packaged in a gifty board book edition.

Fun facts and holiday cheer from the creator of Strega Nona and Quiet. While picking out their Christmas tree, a couple of curious kids start to wonder where Christmas trees came from. Who invented the first one? How did they become so popular? And how have they changed over the years? Celebrated children''s author Tomie dePaola is here to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas trees--and everything you never even thought to wonder about. With bright illustrations and kid-friendly text, Tomie dePaola''s Christmas Tree Book is full of facts, history, and legends. Instructions on making your own Christmas tree ornament are included!

Quicksand bringing you down? Kids will love this very funny science book. When Jungle Girl falls into some quicksand and starts slowly sinking, Jungle Boy arrives quickly-- and takes the opportunity to tell her how it is formed, what it is made of, and how to get out of it, demonstrating with charts and graphs. Meanwhile, Jungle Girl sinks lower... and lower... But before the book ends, the tables turn and Jungle Girl gets her revenge! This hilarious introduction to an unusual phenomenon from the bestselling author-illustrator of Quiet, Strega Nona, and many others is includes instructions for making your own quicksand-- as well as tips on how to escape if you''re as unlucky as Jungle Girl. Boldly-illustrated nonfiction with a strong sense of humor, this classic picture book is equal parts science lesson and entertainment.

An informative and funny book on every kind of cat, from Abyssinian to alley cat, from the bestselling author of Strega Nona, Quiet, and many more. FREE KITTENS INSIDE, reads the sign outside Granny Twinkle''s house. But kittens aren''t the only thing Mrs. Twinkle has to offer. When Patrick goes inside, he asks questions and learns everything there is to know about cats-- the many different types and breeds, their place in history, and how to take care of a kitten of his very own. Colorful and funny, this picture book is a perfect introduction for kids interested in cats, full of facts and trivia. Includes instructions on making your own cat toys, information on the care and feeding of cats and kittens, and a list of useful resources-- all presented with Tomie dePaola''s signature humor and fun illustrations.

Everyone loves popcorn! Newly updated with the latest research, a delicious 40th anniversary edition of a POP-ular classic. Tony likes to cook. Tiny likes to read. And both twins like to eat . . . POPCORN! So while Tiny cooks it, Tony reads about it: what popcorn is, how it''s stored and prepared, legends and stories about it, and its history in Europe and North America. A favorite since its original release in 1978, The Popcorn Book has sold nearly a million copies. This fresh new edition features refreshed interiors with bolder colors, and revised text-- updated with new information and vetted for accuracy by a Native American expert. Colorful, funny, and informative, this nonfiction classic from the best-selling author-illustrator of Quiet, Strega Nona, and many more will teach you everything you need to know about this favorite snack food-- and leave you hungry for more. And because the best thing about popcorn is eating it, two great recipes for popping corn are included!

This enthralling modern fairy tale from Caldecott and Newbery Honor winner Tomie dePaola and debut illustrator Doug Salati celebrates the greatest power of all: love. In a small kingdom along an ancient road, a bell rings out. The beloved king has died, leaving his magnificent and powerful Imperial Robe to his heir, the young prince. But when the prince’s jealous older half-brother steals the Imperial Robe, slashing it to bits, the prince can no longer rule—and the small kingdom is in great danger. Now the young prince must find another source of power and of strength—and he finds it in a surprising place.

Big Anthony gets what he thinks he wants—but like usual, it causes him more trouble than he can handle in this beloved sequel to Tomie dePaola’s Caldecott Honor–winning Strega Nona. Big Anthony has a case of spring fever and he needs a little Night Life to cheer him up! But Big Anthony is afraid that if he goes to the village dance, no one will dance with him. So when Strega Nona goes away on a visit, Big Anthony borrows her magic ring, which turns him into a handsome stranger…

This beautiful new edition of Tomie dePaola’s 1978 classic retelling of a French legend stars a little juggler whose unique talent leads him to what might be a Christmas miracle. Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle. The people of Sorrento marvel at his talents, and before long, he becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the nobility and townspeople alike. But as the years pass, Giovanni grows old, and his talents begin to fail him. No longer a celebrated performer, he is once again poor and homeless, begging for his food. Until one Christmas Eve, when Giovanni picks up his rainbow of colored balls once more. And what happens next just might be a miracle…

This delightful new edition of Tomie dePaola’s beloved classic stars Strega Nona at her trickiest—and bumbling Big Anthony at his silliest! Bambolona is tired of working in her Papa’s bakery. There is far too much to do! So she decides to go to wise Strega Nona and learn a little magic, instead. But here comes Big Anthony. He wants to learn, too…if he doesn’t make a big mess of things first!

Jamie O''Rourke and the Big PotatoBy Tomie dePaola

This beautiful edition of Tomie dePaola’s progressive 1979 classic stars a special little boy who won’t give up on the dreams that make him unique. Oliver Button is a sissy. At least that’s what the other boys call him. But here’s what Oliver Button really is: a reader, and an artist, and a singer, and a dancer, and more. What will his classmates say when he steps into the spotlight?

Strega Nona picks her tomatoes from her garden and counts them.

Andy and Sandy play in the snow in this third book of the easy-to-read picture book series about friendship, from Caldecott and Newbery Honoree Tomie dePaola and Emmy Award–winning writer for the Muppets Jim Lewis. When the first big snow of winter hits, Sandy wants to play outside—but Andy isn’t so sure. After all, snow is very wet and very cold! But Sandy drags Andy along to make a snowman, go sledding, and make snow angels. Will Andy discover that snow can be fun—despite being wet and cold? Written in simple words and short, declarative sentences, this book is perfect for little ones just learning to read on their own.

Enjoy Strega Nona all year long with this bountiful collection of six stories featuring the beloved “grandmother witch”—including the first Strega Nona, plus new introductions, a lullaby, a map, and recipes! Enter the marvelous, magical world of Strega Nona! Strega Nona has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Award–winning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nona’s gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her “an enduring character who has charmed generations of children.” This wonderful treasury features six favorite stories about Strega Nona and her sidekick, the bumbling Big Anthony—including the original Strega Nona, as well as Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Strega Nona: Her Story, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation, Strega Nona’s Harvest, and Strega Nona’s Gift. With brand-new introductions to each story, author and illustrator Tomie dePaola takes readers behind the scenes to see how Strega Nona’s world has developed through the years. Also including an original lullaby—with sheet music—a map of Strega Nona’s town, and some fun recipes, this collection will give readers much to savor.

Several kids looking for something to do make words from the letters in little Andy''s name.

A bird-loving boy sets out to solve a pollution problem in this classic eco-conscious tale from Strega Nona author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. Michael is a young boy who loves birds. Every morning he puts on his bird suit and does his work in the countryside, until one day an ominous black cloud appears. What could be causing the black cloud? When Michael discovers that an artificial honey factory is to blame, he comes up with a very sweet solution; one that will keep everyone healthy, including his beloved birds—and the environment. Originally published in 1975, this classic picture book from the legendary Tomie dePaola now features refreshed artwork and a new cover.

Passover is a time for families and friends to celebrate their faith and shared history. Tomie dePaola’s simple text and beautiful illustrations provide insight into this special holiday for young readers.

An ALA Notable Children’s Book Fin’s wife saves him from the most feared giant in Ireland. This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.

This warmly illustrated picture book is full cats—and lots of cat facts! Did you know that: - Some cats do not have tails?- The ancient Egyptians worshiped cats as gods?- Some cats have curly hair, like poodles? Even their whiskers are curly! Granny Twinkle knows everything there is to know about cats. When Patrick visits to pick out a free kitten, he ends up knowing everything, too. After you read this picture book by Tomie dePaola, you’ll know a lot about cats! This fixed-layout ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book, features read-along narration by the author.