Lilies, Lilies, Lilies

Because Tomie hasn't been feeling well (a bronchial infection that is being treated with antibiotics), the house was decorated less ambitiously for Christmas this year. Yet, the house was still spectacular.

There were at least ten vases of three kinds of lilies from his favorite source for lilies: Maplecrest Lilies in Maine. Here's a photo of one vase in one of the living rooms.
www.maplecrestlilies.com/

We Have a Winner!

The Fruitcake Australian Judges awarded Jennette's fruitcake a 20. That means - drum roll - Stephanie is the 2008 Best of the Dueling Canadian Fruitcakes Winner! Congratulations, Stephanie!

Better luck next year, J!

The judges are now en route to Kennedy Airport in New York. This evening, they'll fly to Barcelona, later to Paris, back to New York City, and then Fraser and Jenny will return to Australia. Tony will remain in the USA for scheduled speaking engagements (that's right, HE'S the popular educational speaker Tony Stead).

I don't know if the judges will judge fruitcakes in Barcelona and Paris.

I imagine the Vancouver, British Columbia, gals - Jennette and Stephanie - will be spending 2009 perfecting their recipes. Game on!

Analysis: The young judge liked Jennette's fruitcake best, but the old judges prevailed as they preferred Stephanie's fruitcake.

The Fruitcake Judges Judge!

Tomie with the Fruitcake Australian Judges (left to right: Tony Stead, Fraser, Jennifer Smith).

Stephanie's fruitcake was awarded a 21. Suspense is building for whom will be awarded the prestigious honor of Best of the Dueling Canadian Fruitcakes!

(Of course, the Canadian loser can always exclaim, "What do Australians know about fruitcake?!")

Canadian Fruitcake Challenge: Jennette v. Stephanie

Quack, Quack, Quack!

Here's Bronte with his new duck squeaky toy. The duck makes a soft, but annoying (to Tomie) quacking sound.

Mission accomplished (for the giftgiver - no names mentioned)!

Bronte is positioned in such a way so that he can see and hear Tomie in the kitchen.

Tomie with an Aussie

Jennifer Smith, Australian, and Tomie are having coffee and panettone on Christmas morning in Tomie's kitchen.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

This is the "primary" Christmas tree. This one is decorated with roses made from colored tissue paper.

New Tomie.com Home Page

Here's Sherry Litwack with Tomie. Sherry handles Tomie's artwork sales. The "Buy Children's Book Artwork" link is under "Favorite Websites" in the righthand column. The new link from the Tomie.com Home Page is "Artwork."

The Tomie.com Home Page has a new fresh look. Check it out.
www.tomie.com

Tomie's cold might be getting better. The doctor put him on an antibiotic yesterday.

Having a WHITE Christmas Is Overrated

Here's the big wreath. Or, here's snow and something that once resembled a big wreath.

We went to the last two autographings of 2008 this weekend. The drive yesterday to and from Nashua, New Hampshire, wasn't very pleasant because the windshield washer system on the two-month-old Saab wasn't functioning.

Today, the drive to and from Contoocook, New Hampshire, wasn't very pleasant because it was snowing. Our speed maxed at 50 mph, and was often 35-40 mph in a four-wheel-drive, two-day-old truck.

Tomie has a wicked cold and cough. The Aussies are coming Tuesday. The Christmas party is Boxing Day.

Christmastime is coming together exactly as planned, or not.

ONE of Us Likes the Snow!

Tomie Here, There, and Everywhere!

Friday, December 19, 2008
"New Hampshire Chronicle"
7:30 p.m.
WMUR-TV (ABC)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Saturday, December 20, 2008
BARNES & NOBLE
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
235 Daniel Webster Highway
Nashua, NH 03060
603-888-0533

Sunday, December 21, 2008
MARKLIN CANDLE DESIGN
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
28 Riverside Drive
Contoocook, NH 03229
603-746-2211

Miss Ganley Visits Tomie dePaola

Kim Ganley and her mother, Dee, visited Tomie today. Dee trained Tomie's dog, Bronte.

Bronte had not seen Dee for several weeks, and couldn't stop jumping all over her. Great obedience training job, Dee!

Kim, aka Miss Ganley, recently taught in Miss Karloutsos' class at Manning Elementary in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Here she is looking at the original artwork, in progress, for Tomie's Fall 2009 book, STREGA NONA'S HARVEST.

www.deesdogs.com

A Marty Tree

"The Marty Tree" is up. (Martin) Marklin Candle made the wax white birds, based upon Tomie's drawings. As always, click on the photos to get supersized versions.

www.marklincandle.com

Counting Down the Days

All of the wreathes are now hung. The wreath ring, based on Tomie's work, was produced by Midwest of Cannon Falls many years ago. Tomie puts it on his front door every Christmastime.

Click on the photo to supersize it.

Power to the People!

Last night, electricity was restored to our area. I suppose it might go off again. There are plenty of branches and trees that could fall on the power lines, but for the moment, the electricity is back on.

After the 1998 storm, Tomie had a generator installed so there has been limited power in the house and the barn during the aftermath of this ice storm. The interior temperature of my home dipped to the upper 30s so I've slept in Tomie's barn for the last two nights.

We're certainly faring better than others. I hope it won't be too long before power is restored to all of the people.

Ice Storm Mess

Let the Cleanup Begin!

This ice storm doesn't compare, in our area, to the one in January, 1998, although it's still a mess around here. But, more people, throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, have been affected by last night's storm than the one in 1998.

I hope that winter isn't going to be like this.

Ice Storm, December, 2008

A Star Is Born!

Jen Crompton and Chris McDevitt were here this morning to film Tomie reading some of his stories for an upcoming "New Hampshire Chronicle" Christmas special, WMUR-TV (ABC). WMUR-TV has been kind enough to feature Tomie over the years. We're especially pleased when Jen and Chris are "assigned" to Tomie.

Tomie and the Nashua (NH) Symphony Orchestra

Tomie will narrate the "Nutcracker and the Mouse King" for the Nashua Symphony Orchestra during the symphony's Holiday Pops Cabaret on Sunday, December 14.
www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081204/ENCORE01/812031552/-1/YOUTH
www.nashuasymphony.org

Tomie, Meet Tommy. Tommy, Meet Tomie.

Tommy from West Hartford, Connecticut, attended the Connecticut Children's Book Fair on November 9. Tommy loves to draw, and Tomie is Tommy's favorite author and illustrator. This was the first time Tommy met a real author. If these two hang out again, one of them is going to have to use a different name!

But They Forgot Their Dancing Shoes

Left to Right:
"Miss Leah," Tomie, Rhoda, Shaina

Tomie's childhood dancing school teacher, "Miss Leah," came to the Connecticut Children's Book Fair at the University of Connecticut on Sunday, November 9, with her sister Rhoda, her granddaughter Shaina, her daughter-in-law Suzan and son Steve. Tomie had requested the reunion, and he wasn't disappointed. The stories were "flying," and all of us in earshot were entertained.

Cally and "Who Is That Guy?"

Left to Right:
Front Row: Cally, Tomie
Back Row: Nancy, Paige, Rick

Second grader Cally and her family, from Marshfield, Massachusetts, met Tomie at Morgan Hill Bookstore on November 30. Or, was it Henri Matisse that they met? Or, maybe that guy with the red clothes and sleigh...

CBS-TV's THE EARLY SHOW

BRAVA, STREGA NONA was one of ten children's books featured on today's "The Early Show" on CBS-TV. It was one of three pop-ups shown.

BRAVA was called "the most beautiful pop-up of them all." It was said, "You could live in the book."

The host (actress Kathy Kinney) said BRAVA, STREGA NONA was created "by a wonderful, wonderful man."

At cbsnews.com, under The Early Show, there's "Mrs. P's Picks: Best Children's Books." BRAVA, STREGA NONA is "an absolutely gorgeous book about an Italian grandmother who had lived a life full of love and cooking!"

Brava, Strega Nona, and bravo, wonderful, wonderful man!

Which Books Would YOU Choose?

Tomie was asked for an abridged bibliography of thirty books. He handed the task to me. These are the books I chose. It was harder than I expected.

2008 Brava, Strega Nona!
2006 Christmas Remembered
2005 Stagestruck
2004 Guess Who's Coming to Santa's for Dinner?
2002 Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story
2001 Meet the Barkers
1999 26 Fairmount Avenue
1997 Days of the Blackbird
1995 Country Angel Christmas
1994 I Love You, Sun; I Love You, Moon, by Karen Pandell
1992 Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato
1989 The Art Lesson
1988 The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
1987 An Early American Christmas
1985 Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose
1984 Mary Had a Little Lamb, by Sarah Josepha Hale
1983 Tattie's River Journey, by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
1983 The Legend of the Bluebonnet
1981 Now One Foot, Now the Other
1980 The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Moore
1979 Oliver Button Is a Sissy
1978 Pancakes for Breakfast
1978 The Popcorn Book
1978 The Clown of God
1978 Bill and Pete
1977 Helga's Dowry
1975 Strega Nona
1974 Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup
1973 Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs
1973 Charlie Needs a Cloak

I presented the list to Tomie and he replaced I LOVE YOU, SUN; I LOVE YOU, MOON (1994) with THE HOLY TWINS, by Kathleen Norris (2001).

I would probably make different choices with explicit criteria.

Tomie on Houston Public Radio

Catherine Lu interviewed Tomie on November 21, 2008 for Houston Public Radio, KUHF-FM. Follow the link to the interview. Then, click LISTEN or DOWNLOAD "extended interview." When I clicked "Click here to listen" toward the top of the page, I got an interview different than Tomie's.
http://app1.kuhf.org/houston_public_radio-news-display.php?articles_id=1227307178

Artist Meets Artist

Well-known Tomie.com Splash Page artist Bryce from Kirkland, Washington, and little-known artist Tomie dePaola met at University Bookstore in Seattle on November 17. Bryce created the artwork for the Splash Page for the months of November and December. His newest work has just been posted. His third grade teacher is Liz Feldsher.
www.tomie.com

The Winner Is Tiffany!

Tiffany traveled the greatest distance to meet Elvis at Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London, New Hampshire! Tiffany and her mother drove from Long Island to attend today's autographing. Won't Ms. Bistyga's students be surprised tomorrow when they hear of her weekend adventures?

Tomie with Great Friends and a Great Quilt

Left to Right:
Peggy, Tomie, Connie

Tomie autographed at Morgan Hill Bookstore today. Here he is with the owners of the store.

They're posing with the quilt made for Tomie by Mrs. Menard's class at Saylesville School.

Most of the photos on this blog can be supersized by clicking on the photo.

Can You Pronounce Oconomowoc?

Owen from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is a student at Carroll College with questions.

Q: How did you know from such an early age what your passion in life would be?
A: I've learned over the years that my story is not unusual. It may not be common, but it's not unusual. I knew at age four that I wanted to write stories and draw pictures for books. My parents, and other adults important to me, were supportive. I don't doubt that some children know what they want to do as adults, but they are not encouraged by family, teachers and important adults in their lives. They fail to follow their bliss, and we loose their talents in the world.

Q: As an author, how do you strike a balance between writing books that appeal to yourself as opposed to writing books that will sell?
A: I believe an editor's job is to get the best work out of me. An editor will sometimes discourage me from working on a book project because it might not be commercial enough. Sometimes, a book idea will be put aside for years until there's a better time to publish it. I have several ideas that are waiting for better times.

Q: How has your writing style changed over the course of your career?
A: I think I found my voice during the time I worked on CHARLIE NEEDS A CLOAK, ANDY (THAT'S MY NAME) and NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS. My writing has especially evolved while working on the "26 Fairmount Avenue" autobiographical chapter books because I'm spending more time on the words, and less on the illustrations. As to my illustration style, I don't think it has changed over the years. However, it has become more refined.

Brava BRAVA, STREGA NONA!

BRAVA, STREGA NONA is going to be on the NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers list for a third week. Great news!

BRAVA, STREGA NONA was featured in the November 28, 2008, edition of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY as the EW PICK OF THE WEEK.

If you haven't had a chance to see BRAVA, STREGA NONA, check out this blog posting: www.anenchantedcottage.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-pink-pop-up-strega-nona.html

They're Talking About Me in Indiana!

Kathleen in Zionsville, Indiana, has a future career as a reporter.

Comment/Question: I read your book 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE. I chose this book because in the story your family was moving, and so was I! When you moved did you miss your friends?
A: We didn't move very far away from our former home. So, I still saw my old friends, and I made new friends.

Q: What was it like living in a big house right on top of a hill?
A: It wasn't that the house was on top of a hill as much as the new road was graded in such a way that the house was much higher than the road. We did have a beautiful view of West Peak and the hanging hills of Meriden, Connecticut... until a lot of other families moved to the area and into their new houses, and our view became obstructed.

Q: Why did you decide to write a book about your childhood?
A: I had an interesting childhood. NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS was the first time I wrote about my childhood.

Comment: I really want to read more of your books.
A: I want you to read more of my books!

"A Pack of Questions" from Taylor

Taylor from Monticello, Indiana has "a pack of questions" for Tomie to answer.

Q: How old were you when you started writing books?
A: I started writing stories when I was in second grade. I started writing stories to be published at age 31.

Q: What is your favorite subject?
A: My favorite subjects in elementary school were art and reading.

Q: Did you used to have a wife?
A: Yes

Q: Did you get divorced?
A: Yes

Q: Do you want a wife?
A: No, I already had one.

Q: What is your favorite interesting word?
A: Courage

Q: Do you use it a lot?
A: I only use it when it's appropriate.

Q: Do you have a brother or sister?
A: I had a brother who died. I have two sisters.

Q: Did you ever play any sports?
A: No

Q: Did you think imaginary or real in your books?
A: Both

Dr. dePaola, Formerly Known as Actor

Tomie just accepted an invitation from the president of Pratt Institute to accept an honorary degree during Commencement Exercises on May 18, 2009, in New York City. Tomie graduated from Pratt in 1956 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Three Cheers, Tomie!

In May of 2005, Tomie returned to the stage for the Newport Opera House production of "State Fair." (Tomie later announced that it was also his farewell from the stage.) Photos of Tomie as the intoxicated pickle judge (i.e., the pickled pickle judge) can be seen at:
www.newportoperahouse.com/photo_gallery/state_fair.html
Tomie's photos are third and eighth from the top.

It's a Flat Stanley Reunion!

Left to Right:
Bill Massey, Tomie, Charles Massey

Thanksgiving is a time for family reunions. Bill Massey traveled from North Carolina to visit his brother Charles who lives in the area. They came to see Tomie. And, some of the Flat Stanleys decided to take this opportunity to spend time together.

Bill and Flat Stanley (from Marta Gonzalez's class at Holy Cross School) are pictured together. Tomie is pictured with Flat Stanley from Mr. Johnson's class at Dudley Shoals Elementary. Flat Stanley from Mrs. Liddle's class at Jefferson Elementary is hanging out with Charles.

Put Flat Stanley, Flat Stanley, Flat Stanley, Bill, Charles and Tomie in the same room and the storytelling doesn't stop!

Tomie's dog Bronte is thinking Who are these people?

Click on the photo to supersize it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Congress declared Thanksgiving a Federal holiday in 1941, thanks to the efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, author of the poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Sarah Josepha Hale was born in Newport, New Hampshire, near Tomie's hometown.
www.newport.lib.nh.us/HaleAw.html

If You Have a Question, Put Both Hands on the Top of Your Head

Debbie Lolla teaches students with enquiring minds at Woodlawn School.

Comment: I learned that you should write down every memory possible.
A: Great idea if you have the time.

Q: Does your hand get tired?
A: Yes, it does. I have had surgeries on my hand and shoulder because of stress from writing, illustrating AND autographing. I've begun to use a pre-printed signature on fan mail notes to give my hand a rest. At autographings, I only sign "Tomie (year)" on books to give my hand and wrist more rest.

Q: Did you ever get tired of writing?
A: I don't get tired of writing and illustrating, but sometimes I don't have as many ideas as I'd like. So, I can't write because I can't think of any good ideas.

Q: Why didn't you ever mention your other sister?
A: Did she pay you to ask that question? My sister Judie will someday be in a "26 Fairmount Avenue" chapter book. But, she isn't born yet in the books. Judie is a lot younger than me.

Q: Why do you do different styles of illustrating (color or no color)?
A: I only make black-and-white drawings for the insides of the chapter books because that's what the publisher wanted me to do.

Q: My favorite utensil for drawing is oil pastels. What is your favorite utensil for drawing?
A: I use colored pencil, and paintbrushes and acrylics.

Tomie Has a Cow!

Tomie returned earlier today from Book Tour. Here he is at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with his luggage and his traveling companion, Flat Nesy, the reading cow. Nesy was sent to Tomie by Christian of Mrs. Carson's class at Northville Elementary.

Tomie and the cow attracted attention in the parking lot as they posed for their photo op. Tomie told the cow, "Nes, chilax, this is what it's like to be a celebrity."

Some Ideal Questions

Mrs. Ewing's class at Ideal Elementary asked some ideal questions.

Q: How old were you when you published your first book?
A: I was 30 when my first book was published.

Q: Which made you more famous, your writing or your drawing?
A: Both. My most successful books are ones that I both wrote and illustrated.

Q: Are any of your pictures in museums?
A: Yes. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is one.

Q: Is your friend Arnold Lobel still alive?
A: No. But, I've stayed in touch with his ex-wife Anita Lobel.

Q: What other things do you like to do besides drawing and writing?
A: Cooking, watching movies, reading, shopping, playing with my dog.

Students with A Lot on Their Minds

Diane Humphrey's class at Ault Elementary made several notable comments in their letters.

Comment: I think you should make a sequel to OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY perhaps called OLIVER BUTTON PLAYS FOOTBALL.
A: Here's the problem with that idea. Oliver Button isn't very good at sports. Perhaps a new book could be called OLIVER BUTTON SINGS.

Comment: My favorite book is STREGA NONA'S MAGIC LESSONS. It teaches you to listen to other people.
A: What? I wasn't listening. (I think it's great that you learned a lesson from STREGA NONA'S MAGIC LESSONS, but I didn't write the story with a lesson in mind.)

Question/Comment: Man, where do I start? I love your books. They're wonderful.
A: Man, that's a pretty good start! I love your comments.

Comment: You're the best author and illustrator I ever heard of!
A: Don't listen if someone wants to tell you about a better author and illustrator. Put your hands over your ears and say, "I can't hear you!"

When It's Your Turn to Ask a Question, Stand, Say Your Name and Speak Clearly!

It's now time for Miss Vicino's class at Atholton Elementary to ask questions.

Q: Why do you have lots of peacocks in STREGA NONA?
A: I like peacocks, and they're fun to draw.

Q: Have you been to Italy?
A: Si.

Q: Have you been to Calabria?
A: No.

Q: What was your first book you wrote?
A: The first book I both wrote and illustrated was THE WONDERFUL DRAGON OF TIMLIN.

Q: Why did you write BONJOUR, MR. SATIE?
A: I had a wonderful cat I had named Satie. When I would go on trips, I imagined Satie to have a very active life, including going on his own travels. So, I decided to write a book about Satie's adventures.

Q: Are you Italian?
A: My mother was Irish and my father was Italian. I'm an Irish-Italian American.

Comment: I enjoyed reading your spectacular books.
A: I enjoyed reading your spectacular letters.

STOP!!!

By the way, you can click on most images to get a larger version. In this case, if you clicked on the photo, you'd see the horrifying sight of snow falling WAY TOO EARLY in the season.

Unqua Second Graders Want to Know!

Miss Johnson's students at Unqua Elementary asked many questions in their letters.

But, they ALL asked: Did Uncle Charles and his girlfriend Viva get married?
A: Yes.

Evan also asked: How old is Buddy now?
A: Buddy (Joe) died several years ago.

Raise Your Left Hand If You Have a Question!

Here are some probing questions from Mrs. Bates' class at Wilber-Clatonia Elementary.

Q: Have you ever been to Nebraska?
A: Yes. I've autographed at bookstores in Nebraska.

Q: Will you write back?
A: Yes, I will. But, I get A LOT of mail, so it often takes me a VERY LONG time to reply.

Comment: I want to be like you when I grow up.
A: Incredibly good-looking?

Q: Have you ever gone to Chicago?
A: Yes, I have.

Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: Some ideas are suggested to me. (A boy couldn't find any books about quicksand, so I wrote one. THE QUICKSAND BOOK) Sometimes I get an idea when I'm reading. (I got the idea for BILL AND PETE while reading a NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazine.) Some ideas just pop into my head. (I drew the character of Strega Nona on a doodle pad during a faculty meeting when I was a college teacher.) Some of my stories are based on my childhood, such as, the "26 Fairmount Avenue" autobiographical chapter books, and NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS.

Comment: I cannot believe you have illustrated over 200 books.
A: Believe!

Q: Do you think you can write more?
A: I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Q: My teacher is looking for a Strega Nona doll. Can you tell me where to get one?
A: There aren't any new ones available. She might be able to find one on eBay.

Comment: My teacher's son's name is Anthony.
A: Is he big?

Raise Your Right Hand If You Have a Question!

Danielle DiIanni's students at Hazel School are squirming in their seats with questions.

Q: How are you feeling?
A: Some days are better than others. I have aches and pains. The economy is bad. Winter is coming and there are leaves that need to be raked. My skin is dry. I need a haircut. My dog needs a haircut. I've got a book to finish. Actually, there are TWO books I have to finish! I'm actually feeling just fine, and I'm looking forward to Christmastime when my friends from Australia are coming to visit.

Q: Are you coming out with any new books?
A: What a question! BRAVA, STREGA NONA pop-up book (October, 2008), SONG OF FRANCIS picture book (February, 2009), FOR THE DURATION chapter book (June, 2009), STREGA NONA'S HARVEST picture book (September, 2009)

Q: Did your mom have a job?
A: Yes, she worked at home taking care of the house and our family.

Q: How many letters have you received?
A: A gazillion.

Q: When were you born, and where?
A: September 15, 1934, in Meriden, Connecticut.

Q: Did you really meet Mrs. Schettini?
A: Maybe, but I can't pronounce her name.

Q: Did your older brother pick on you? My older brother picks on me, and trust me, you could call it much, much more than picking on!
A: Yes. I write about it in the chapter book FOR THE DURATION (on sale in June, 2009). I feel for you.

Q: Did you really live at 26 Fairmount Avenue?
A: Yes, really, truly, you betcha!

Comment: I think you are one of the greatest artists and illustrators I have seen.
A: Gosh, shucks, stop it, you are embarrassing me. Did you say "one of the greatest?"

Tomie's question: Who's Hazel?

Book Eight in the 26 Fairmount Avenue autobiographical chapter book series

FOR THE DURATION will be published in June of 2009. It is the eighth book in the autobiographical chapter book series that began with the Newbery Honor Award-winning 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE.

"Tomie is hearing the phrase 'for the duration' over and over. So many things will be different as long as the war goes on, but he's still excited about starring in a dance recital, taking the bus around town by himself, and having his First Communion. He does have to deal with problems with his brother, but luckily, Tomie knows there are a lot of people he can count on for the duration."

Four Good-looking Guys

Left to Right:
David, Tomie, Nathan, Andrew

These three young men talked with Tomie at the Connecticut Children's Book Fair dinner at the University of Connecticut this past Saturday. They attended the dinner with their father, Alan Katz.

www.alankatzbooks.com

Book Tour, Last Leg

Although Tomie doesn't travel with Security, Treetop Books in McLean, Virginia provided him with Jamaal Watson, Security. Jamaal protected Tomie from overzealous fans - you know, the ones that want to hug and kiss him, and rub his scalp for good luck. You know who you are! Thanks, Jamaal!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Red Balloon Book Shop
10:30 a.m. - Noon
891 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
www.redballoonbookshop.com
651-224-8320

Bookcase of Wayzata
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Wayzata Community Church
125 East Wayzata Blvd.
Wayzata, MN 55391
www.bookcaseofwayzata.com
Store Phone: 952-473-8341

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Creative Kidstuff
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Galleria Mall
3555 - 69th Street
Edina, MN 55435
www.creativekidstuff.com/storelocations.html
952-926-4512

Barnes & Noble
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Har Mar Mall
2100 North Snelling Avenue
Roseville, MN 55113
www.bn.com
651-639-9256

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Third Place Books
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
www.thirdplacebooks.com
206-366-3333

University Bookstore
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
www.bookstore.washington.edu
206-634-3400

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Rakestraw Books
11:00 a.m. - Noon
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
409 Railroad Avenue
Danville, CA 94526
www.rakestrawbooks.com
Call to confirm autographing times.
925-837-7337

Books, Inc.
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real, #74
Palo Alto, CA 94304
www.booksinc.net
650-321-0600

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
A Great Good Place for Books
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
6120 La Salle Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
www.ggpbooks.com
510-339-8210

Hicklebee's
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
1378 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
www.hicklebees.com
408-292-8880

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Event Location:
Claremont Public Library
208 Harvard Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
www.mrsnelsons.com
Store Phone: 909-599-4558

A Whale of a Tale
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
4199 Campus Drive, Suite A
Irvine, CA 92612
www.awhaleofatale.com
949-854-8288

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Blue Willow Bookshop
10:30 a.m. - Noon
14532 Memorial Drive at Dairy Ashford
Houston, TX 77079
www.bluewillowbookshop.com
281-497-8675

Brazos Bookstore
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz Street
Houston, TX 77004
www.brazosbookstore.com
Store Phone: 713-523-0701

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Morgan Hill Bookstore
10:30 a.m. - Noon
253 Main Street
New London, NH 03257
www.morganhillbookstore.com
603-526-5850

Creative Student and Teacher

Third grade teacher Liz Feldsher at Peter Kirk Elementary dressed up as Strega Nona for her classroom. Her student, Bryce, is the November Tomie.com Splash Page artist.

Bryce's original drawing took over two weeks for the postal service to deliver it to New York City from New Hampshire. While we wondered if his drawing was lost forever, he quickly drew two new drawings for the Splash Page. He apparently creates well under pressure.

Thanks, Bryce! Thanks, Liz Feldsher!

www.tomie.com

Fashion Plates

Left to Right:
Pamela Levy (wearing a hat just handed to her by Norman Stevens), Billie Levy, Nora Stevens

There were many fashion plates at the Connecticut Children's Book Fair dinner this past Saturday at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut, but these were the three asked to strike a pose. We were at the Book Fair so that on Sunday, yesterday, Tomie could present a program and autograph his books.

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER!

BRAVA, STREGA NONA, A HEARTWARMING POP-UP BOOK will debut on the NEW YORK TIMES Children's Picture Book Best Sellers List, at #8, on Sunday, November 16, 2008.

Bravo, Tomie!

VOTE!

Left to Right:
"Flat Brownie," Round Tomie, "Flat Stanley"

This morning Molly's "Flat Brownie" and Ms. Stachnik's Fourth Grade Classes' "Flat Stanley" got in the car with Tomie to drive to the polling place so that Tomie could vote.

Molly is a member of Brownie Girl Scout Troup 631. Ms. Stachnik and her fourth grade classes are from Parkside Elementary School.

Everybody's Got a Question!

Mrs. Rider's class at Beacon Elementary has questions.

Q: Do you have cats?
A: I had cats for many years. But, now I have one dog.

Q: When is your birthday?
A: EXCELLENT question. September 15.

Q: How are you doing?
A: Swell.

Q: Did you really have a baby sister, or did you just make it up?
A: Doubters! I really did have a baby sister.

Q: Do you really have the wooden blocks from NOW ONE FOOT, NOW THE OTHER?
A: Yes.

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: Popcorn.

Birth of a Library, follow-up

I wrote about the new Rollinsford Public Library on October 4, 2008. Here's a photo from the ribbon-cutting ceremony showing Tomie giving RJ a check and a bag of autographed books.

Family Time

Sunday, October 26, 2008, Meriden, Connecticut
Left to Right:
Patrick (Tomie's nephew), Rayne (Tomie.com October Splash Page artist), Shelby (Patrick's wife), Jeremiah (lost a cell phone while at breakfast), David (Judie's husband), Judie (Tomie's sister yet to be born in the "26 Fairmount Avenue" autobiographical chapter books, and holding Rayne's unfinished sandwich), Tomie

Book Tour, Continued

Here's a blog entry from Barbara who met Tomie one year ago at Sherman's Bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine.
www.travelinma.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-favorite.html

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Moravian Book Shop
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Event Location:
Central Moravian Church
73 West Church Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
www.moravianbookshop.com/
Store Phone: 610-866-5481

Books, Bytes and Beyond
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
197 Rock Road
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
201-670-6766

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Tatnuck Bookseller
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Westborough Shopping Center
18 Lyman Street (Route 9 and Lyman Street)
Westborough, MA 01581
www.tatnuck.com/
508-366-4959

Wellesley Booksmith
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Event Location:
Wellesley Free Library
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
www.wellesleybooksmith.com/
Store Phone: 781-431-1160

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Barnes & Noble
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Buckland Hills Mall
270 Buckland Hills Drive
Manchester, CT 06040
www.bn.com/
860-648-1008

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Connecticut Children's Book Fair
10:15 - 10:45 a.m. Presentation
11:00 a.m. - Noon Autographing
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. Autographing
Rome Commons Building
Rome Hall, South Campus Complex
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
www.bookfair.uconn.edu/

More bookstore autographings to come.