The Official Tomie dePaola Blog: 2020

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Moving On

I think I'm going to stop posting on this blog. You can find new posts at: https://www.tomie.com/news
See you at tomie.com! (Bob)

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 7, 2020

Tomie and Monique Cheret, of Paris, married in 1959 in Chester, Vermont. (They divorced in 1961.) Tomie's sisters and I couldn't determine what year they married, so I reached out to Tomie's Pratt Institute friend, Delli. Delli knew because the years were in black-and-white in Barbara Elleman's book about Tomie. I had come to the conclusion that most happenings in life had connections to Broadway and film songs. So, often, I would tell Tomie that something reminded me of a lyric and he would, with his amazing memory, eventually guess what I was trying to remember. Which reminds me of a song often played by his friend Christine Pedi on her Sirius/XM radio program "On Broadway": "Ah, Yes, I Remember It Well," from "Gigi." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQxM5rJ-uiY (Bob)

Monday, April 6, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 6, 2020

Tomie was asked to be a judge for the Francestown (NH) 100th Labor Day parade in 2017. Some of the "floats" were simply two people walking with signs. The parade was corny and funny, and small town charming. The other judges were Lew Feldstein (called "one of the most influential people in NH") and Jennifer Vaughn (author, and WMUR-TV anchor). And Jennifer gives me the excuse to remind you that WMUR-TV will be airing a 30-minute tribute to Tomie on Monday, April 6, 7:00 p.m., Eastern time. The program will also be streamed live at 7:00 p.m., Eastern time, at wmur.com (look for NH Chronicle in the menu at upper left of the Home Page). The program will someday be archived on the website. (Bob)

Sunday, April 5, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 5, 2020

Hospital Days is a big deal in the small town of New London, NH, where Tomie lived. Tomie was named Grand Marshal of the parade in 2018. He asked New London Hospital nurses Janice and Kara to accompany him in the Grand Marshal's vehicle. And, using Janice and Kara as representatives of all of the dozens of nurses who cared for Tomie over the years, this gives me the opportunity to thank those nurses for their expertise, and care, and light. They treated him with dignity, and they laughed with him, and they consoled him when he hurt, and when he was embarrassed, and when he needed a friend during the night. They were there for him. They were there always. (Bob)

Saturday, April 4, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 4, 2020

Here's a photo of Tomie in the 1960s posing with one of his paintings. My selection process is rather random. But hey, I've got forever to post. "Tomie Forever," as Tomie's friend Liz Shanks said. See her post and short video at: http://www.lizsbooksnuggery.com/2020/03/tomie-forever-salute-heart-picture-book-champion-world-renowned-books-legacy-alive-forever/ (Bob)

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 3, 2020

Tomie and mother Flossie ready to work at Tomie's home in Wilmot Flat, NH, in the 1970s. (Bob)

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 2, 2020

Tomie took us all to see "Billy Elliot: The Musical" on Broadway in June, 2010. Left to Right: Rhoda (Leah's cousin), Carol, "Miss" Leah. "Miss" Leah was Tomie's dancing school teacher. Carol was Tomie's dance partner for over 10 years, I think. "Miss" Leah and Rhoda were older than Tomie and Carol. Tomie and Carol both had some mobility issues. Because a parade in New York City caused traffic delays, "Miss" Leah and Rhoda were late in getting to the theater. When we spotted them, they were running down the street... in heels. Tomie was thrilled that he could bring them together to see a musical about a boy who liked to dance. A happy, happy day for everyone. (Bob)

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on April 1, 2020

That smile! Dennis, Keith Lockhart, and Amanda of the Boston Pops visited Tomie in November, 2018, along with dear friend, and agent, Doug. Dennis, Keith, and Amanda treated Tomie with such kindness and respect that his heart was full that day. (Bob)

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

REMEMBERING TOMIE on March 31, 2020

The first photo that comes to my mind is this one from Summer, 2018. It was taken by Audrey Mackenzie in Tomie's studio library. I would title it "Pure Joy, the Essence of Tomie dePaola." Tomie is shown here with buddy Sarah Mackenzie of Read-Aloud Revival. The photo makes me smile, and it's how I'd like to remember him. (Bob)