Soup

Christine Marklin is not only known for her talents as a fruitcake judge. She is also known for her superior vegetable garden, and her excellent vegetable soup. But, Christine's soup cannot be bought online. It must be given to you. (By the way, thank you, Christine and Martin, for two large containers of delicious soup!)

However, you can order online GRANDMA'S fantastic chicken soup. This soup was first sent to Tomie as a get-well gift several years ago by Cecilia Yung, Art Director, and Marikka Tamura, Assistant Art Director, G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Since Tomie had a new year's craving for chicken soup, he told Grandma to send him some more. He finished her soup last night. Yum.

www.grandmaschickensoup.com

2011 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: A Winner Is Crowned! (Drum Roll)

Anna is holding the winner of the 2011 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette's almond-topped fruitcake (or Christmas cake as the Canadians call it). Jennette is from Vancouver as are all of the other competitors. The esteemed Marklin Family of Judges, left to right: Christine, Matthias, Anna, Simeon, Martin. Tomie monitored the judging in his kitchen.

Second place went to Ted and third place went to Roberta.

If you look at the photos on January 3, Ted's cake is the cake at the top of the top photo. Jennette's cake is in the bottom photo in the middle. Roberta's cake is in the bottom photo at the bottom.

The Canadians have decided that this was the last Fruitcake Challenge. So sad. Too much competition amongst friends?

The Marklin Family of Judges has moved on to the next competition. Are they judging haggis in Scotland? (Daughter Judith didn't understand the importance of this fruitcake competition and chose to stay in Germany to continue her studies.)

2011 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Five Judges Judging

2011 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Fruitcakes Are Ready to Be Judged

Happy New Year!

Nine fruitcakes were received this year for the 2011 Canadian Fruitcake Challenge. They weigh a "ton," and will be judged this afternoon by an esteemed family of judges.

Tomie continues to get stronger each day, and will monitor today's judging.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah

It's lightly snowing in New London, New Hampshire. All of the electric candles in the windows are lit as are the trees, in the house and the yard. The menu for dinner is planned, and preparations will begin soon. It's beautiful inside and outside, and there are many reasons to be joyous and give thanks.

First and foremost is Tomie's health. After a busy fall of bookstore autographings and personal appearances, he became quite sick in early December. He's recovering very well, and I expect he'll be much stronger and healthier in 2012.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!

STREGA NONA'S GIFT Is a NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller!

Oh Snow!!!

2012 Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award

The guidelines for the 2012 Tomie dePaola Illustrator Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators are now posted online.

www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Tomie-dePaola-Award

Blue Horse Auction

Tomie donated a new painting of a blue horse to the "Blue Horse Auction" to benefit the NEA Foundation. Tomie and the other artists were inspired by Eric Carle's new book, THE ARTIST WHO PAINTED A BLUE HORSE. You can bid on Tomie's painting for four more days. Additional artwork will be available after this first group of paintings has sold.

www.ebay.com
Search "blue horse auction."

STREGA NONA'S GIFT and the Krosoczka Family

STREGA NONA'S GIFT is dedicated to Gina and Jarrett Krosoczka, their daughter, Zoe, and their dog, Ralph. Jarrett wrote a note on his blog about the dedication.
http://thejjkblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/story-of-tomie-and-us.html

Jarrett also suggested to Tomie that he should watch the following YouTube clip.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JxfgId3XTs&feature=player_embedded

Happy Publication Day!

Calendar

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011
Publication of
STREGA NONA'S GIFT
Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Eleventh book featuring Italian grandma Strega Nona who was first introduced in the Caldecott Honor Award-winning STREGA NONA: AN ORIGINAL TALE.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
FLYING PIG BOOKSTORE
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Shelburne Town Hall
5420 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482
www.flyingpigbooks.com
Store Phone: 802-985-3999

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
GIBSON'S BOOKSTORE
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Red River Theater
11 South Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
www.gibsonsbookstore.com
Store Phone: 603-224-0562

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
TOADSTOOL BOOKSHOP
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
12 Depot Square
Peterborough, NH 03458
www.toadbooks.com
Store Phone: 603-924-3543

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
KENNEBOOKS
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Event Location:
Nonantum Resort
95 Ocean Avenue
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
www.kennebooks.com
Store Phone: 207-967-6136

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
ANDOVER BOOKSTORE
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
89R Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
www.hugobookstores.com
Store Phone: 978-475-0143

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
THE BOOK RACK
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
52 State Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
www.hugobookstores.com
Store Phone: 978-462-8615

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Naperville Central High School
440 West Aurora Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
www.andersonsbookshop.com
Store Phone: 630-355-2665

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
NEXT CHAPTER BOOKS
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
10976 North Port Washington Road
Mequon, WI 53092
www.nextchapterbookshop.com
Store Phone: 262-241-6220

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
RED BALLOON BOOKSHOP
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
891 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
www.redballoonbookshop.com
Store Phone: 651-224-8320

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE
**SEE NOVEMBER 12**
4869 Main Street
Manchester Center, VT 05255
www.northshire.com
Store Phone: 802-362-2200

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011
Book Signing
KENNEBOOKS
**SEE NOVEMBER 27**
149 Port Road
Lower Village Kennebunk, ME 04043
www.kennebooks.com
Store Phone: 207-967-6136

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
BANK STREET COLLEGE BOOKSTORE
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
2879 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
www.bankstreetbooks.com
Store Phone: 212-678-1654

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
BARNES & NOBLE
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Princeton Marketfair
3535 US Route 1
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.bn.com
Store Phone: 609-897-9250

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
MENDHAM BOOKS
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Mendham Village Shopping Center
84 East Main Street, Route 24
Mendham, NJ 07945
www.mendhambooks.com
Store Phone: 973-543-4949

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
BOOKS & GREETINGS
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Northvale Square Shopping Center
271 Livingston Street
Northvale, NJ 07647
www.booksandgreetings.com
Store Phone: 201-784-2665

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
BOOKS, BYTES & BEYOND
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
197 Rock Road
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
http://www.booksbytesbeyond.com/
Store Phone: 201-670-6766

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
NORTHSHIRE BOOKSTORE
10:30 a.m. - Noon
4869 Main Street
Manchester Center, VT 05255
www.northshire.com
Store Phone: 802-362-2200

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2011
Presentation and Book Signing
CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. Presentation
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Book Signing
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Book Signing
Rome Commons Building
Rome Hall, South Campus Complex
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
http://bookfair.uconn.edu/2011.htm

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
MORGAN HILL BOOKSTORE
11:00 a.m. - Noon
253 Main Street
New London, NH 03257
www.morganhillbookstore.com
Store Phone: 603-526-5850

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
NORWICH BOOKSTORE
10:30 a.m. - Noon
291 Main Street
Norwich, VT 05055
www.norwichbookstore.com
Store Phone: 802-649-1114

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011
Book Signing
KENNEBOOKS
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
149 Port Road
Lower Village Kennebunk, ME 04043
www.kennebooks.com
Store Phone: 207-967-6136

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011
Brief Presentation and Book Signing
THE MARKETPLACE AT MARKLIN CANDLE
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
28 Riverside Drive
Contoocook, NH 03229
http://www.marklincandle.com/
Store Phone: 603-746-5442

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011
Presentation and Book Signing
CONCORD MUSEUM
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
200 Lexington Road
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordmuseum.org/visit/special_events_FamilyTrees.html
Free by reservation only.
Museum Phone: 978-369-9763