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Double-click to get a better look at the poster.Mrs. Green's second grade class at Britton Elementary in Hilliard, Ohio, sent a birthday poster, a wooden folk art heart and a plush bone toy (for Bronte).Strega Nona is singing:Bubble, bubble, pasta pot,It's Tomie dePaola's birthday so make him lots.He's special and it's time to share.Boil enough love to show him we care.Tomie: Very sweet.
Kathleen, of Oak Park, Illinois, drew the purple Christmas tree, hearts and ice cream cone when she was four years old. I think my friend Barney would like the tree.
Alyssa (the artist) and her third grade classmates in Mrs. Berg's class at Claywell Elementary in Tampa, Florida, sent birthday cards.Many of the students mentioned "Zeek" in their notes. Natalie: I bet that Zeek is in your house right now finger painting on your walls.Tomie: If he is, Zeek is in a heap of trouble. Who IS Zeek?
Cristina and Lisa live in Greater Dublin or Greater Columbus, Ohio. When Christina was in second grade (in the '90s), Tomie visited her school, and her classroom read BILL AND PETE GO DOWN THE NILE.A couple of months ago (in 2009) Cristina left Ohio to pursue a Masters of Philosophy in Egyptology at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.Lisa (Cristina's mother): I send this as a thanks for introducing her to the rich heritage of Egyptian history and exposing children of the world to things otherwise unknown, for without your book, it's doubtless she would have the love of all things Egyptian that she has today.Tomie: I'm speechless. Thank you for your note.
Fuffy's son, Thomas Abbe, has a website, too.www.thomasabbe.com
My twin cousin Fuffy (from the books) has a website. Her formal name is Kathryn Abbe.www.kathrynabbe.com
Quinn is in Mrs. Toczylowski's second grade class at St. Sabina School in Florissant, Missouri: Will you please give Bambolona a new hairdo?Tomie: What do you suggest? Extensions? A dye job? Bob? Pixie? Beehive? Bouffant? The Farrah-do? A perm? The Rachel? The Mrs. Toczylowski?Illustration from STREGA NONA'S HARVEST, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, Copyright 2009 by Tomie dePaola.
Mrs. Rice and Ms. Lantai and their second grade class sent a HUGE birthday card. They are teachers and students at Peter Kirk Elementary in Kirkland, Washington. (As always, you can double-click the photo to get a close-up view.)
Liz Feldsher's third grade class at Peter Kirk Elementary in Kirkland, Washington, sent letters and drawings. Max drew the top panel, and Oliver drew the bottom panel.
Hannah is 4 1/2 years old. She lives in Jefferson City, Missouri. One of her favorite books is THE CLOWN OF GOD. She drew this picture for her father's birthday.
Students in Merrill Brown's library class at Cleveland Court Elementary in Lakeland, Florida, have questions about "CHARLIE NEEDS A CLOAK."Jacob: Why doesn't Charlie have a dog to help with the sheep?Tomie: Charlie doesn't own a dog because he doesn't have much money.Alexis: Why is the mouse taking stuff?Tomie: The mouse is mischievous, and very strong.Peyton: Why does the story begin before the title page?Tomie: I thought it was a clever way to organize the book.
The second grade classes at the Geneva School in Winter Park, Florida, did lots of activities related to my books, including "a movie star day." The students ate my favorite food, popcorn, while they watched a Shirley Temple movie.Tomie: I love Shirley Temple! I love popcorn! You attend a GREAT school! Did you know you can download my single, "On the Good Ship Lollipop," from iTunes? (Search "tomie depaola." The song is on the album, "Stranger Than Fiction.") I should have won a Grammy for it!
Mrs. Farrell's first grade class at Ringwood School Primary Center in Ringwood, Illinois, made birthday cards for me. Several of the cards feature what appears to be the Leaning Tower of Pisa (shown here are cards by Michael B., left, and Hailey, right). I don't doubt that this makes sense.
