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103 pp.
| Putnam
| June, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25209-9$15.99
(3)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
Tomie grieves his cousin, shot down in the war. His sadness remains, but life goes on while preparing for his role as a tap-dancing King Neptune (some teasing is involved) and for his First Holy Communion. Meanwhile, rations are imposed, with everyone making sacrifices "for the duration." Spot art and half-page illustrations along with excerpts from Tomie's diary add to the period homeyness.
87 pp.
| Putnam
| February, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-24692-0$14.99
(3)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
For young Tomie, the war means food shortages and air raid drills. But the irrepressible boy also has his family and friends and the pleasures of second grade, like art lessons and losing his first tooth. The book ends on a bleak note, with Tomie's cousin shot down in the war and Tomie himself asking the titular question. Still, coziness prevails.
71 pp.
| Putnam
| February, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23982-0$$13.99
(3)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
In its fifth volume now, dePaola's autobiographical early-independent-reader series takes the budding artist into his seventh year. Although less well focused than its predecessors, this latest re-creates the joys of sledding, the dangers of polio, and the glories of the Ferris wheel. Faux entries from Tomie's diary head each chapter and pepper the text; the last entry, dated December 7, 1941, gives the book its title.
75 pp.
| Putnam
| March, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23797-6$$13.99
(2)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
The title speaks of a year, but this latest installment in dePaola's memoirs covers but three-and-a-half months--from Tomie's (sixth) birthday in September through New Year's Eve. The chronology is straightforward, with suspense provided by the calendar, and the details are concrete, well remembered, and well chosen. Spot art and half-page pictures are just right for this picture-book artist's fans as they grow into independent reading.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2002
75 pp.
| Putnam
| March, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23583-3$$13.99
(2)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
This third chapter-book installment of dePaola's memoirs culminates with the artist entering first grade and finally--finally!--getting to learn to read. DePaola's writing and recollective skills are so fresh that kids will feel like he's sitting right next to them, telling his tales in and out of school with disarming charisma and not a hint of nostalgia.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2001
71 pp.
| Putnam
| May, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23496-9$$13.99
(2)
K-3
26 Fairmount Avenue Book series.
Young Tomie begins the second half of kindergarten, which witnesses his early success in art, tap-dancing, and theatrics, as well as the birth of his sister. This sequel hasn't the strong focus of the first book, but the details of Tomie's life are recalled (or re-imagined) with vivid precision. It's nice to see an author autobiography revel in the natural egocentricity of childhood; nice, too, to see a boy triumph in "unmasculine" pursuits.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2000
6 reviews
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