Bookstore Autographing

Tomie will be autographing his books on Sunday, August 5, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at:
Morgan Hill Bookstore
253 Main Street
New London, NH 03257
603-526-5850
www.morganhillbookstore.com

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!