Jan Brett and her husband Joe Hearne attended Tomie's Christmas Party in 1990. She left this drawing in the Guest Book.A little explanation...The dog was Tomie's Welsh terrier Madison. He was a champion in Obedience competitions. Madison's trainers were at the Christmas party and they and Madison gave a demonstration of Madison's skills."Wow, does he have all the moves!!""That must be what they call star quality.""Thanks for a wonderful party. Love, Joe + Jan"(Click on the drawing to get a better look.)Copyright 1990 by Jan Brett.
Tomie is "threatening" to have a yard sale this summer. Here is a photo from the yard sale on November 9, 2002. VERY "early retired" teacher Elizabeth Masucci from Boston came to the yard sale too late in the day and could only find this heart basket to buy. (If Manolo Blahniks were offered for sale, she'd make sure she was the first in line at the yard sale.)At the yard sale in 2007, Tomie's brother-in-law David Bobbi was in charge of the "FREE" table. David was very proud at the end of the day after "selling" everything at his table.At the 2007 yard sale, almost everything was sold seventy-five minutes into the sale, so this summer's yard sale may be scheduled from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Tomie directed and designed "The Blue Bird" in 1976."The Children's Theatre Project in conjuction with the Theatre Department of Colby-Sawyer College presents THE BLUE BIRD, by Maurice Maeterlinck, in a new translation and adaptation by Tomie dePaola."This program cover is well worn. It looks as if a cat chewed on the corners.Illustration Copyright 1976 by Tomie dePaola.
Tomie's sister Judie sent a bread doll for Easter. It is delicious, and this is what remains.Instructions on how to make bread dolls are on the last page of WATCH OUT FOR THE CHICKEN FEET IN YOUR SOUP, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola.
Copyright 1990 by Tomie dePaola. From the book MY FIRST EASTER, published by Grosset & Dunlap in 2008.
It was the '60s.Connie, co-owner of Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London, New Hampshire, was getting ready to go out for the evening. She was at the top of the stairs in her home wearing a beautiful caftan (remember that it's the '60s). Her three-year-old son was climbing the stairs. When he saw his mom, he exclaimed, "Ohhh, Mommy."When Connie was reading MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, she was reminded of that moment with her son."My mother is so smart, she can change into a movie star when she and my father go out at night."Text Copyright 2010 by Tomie dePaola. From MY MOTHER IS SO SMART, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
Left to Right, Standing: Fuffy (cousin), Franny (cousin), Judie (sister), Flossie (mother)Wallingford Public Library, Wallingford, Connecticut, March 1993: Book signing and presentation to celebrate the publication of TOM.
Tomie created a sticker calendar for Liturgy Training Publications. You can count the 50 days of the Easter season, Easter Sunday until Pentecost, with "The Garden of the Good Shepherd." This may be another eBay item as the calendar was published in 2000.Copyright 2000 by Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.
April Fool!Illustration from HOW TO DRAW AND PAINT CHILDREN, by Viola French.
