ALA: #3

Dorothy Fitts, Head Librarian, at Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Barbara Elleman Research Library Lecture

The Barbara Elleman Research Library Lecture is "a series featuring the country's preeminent scholars, book collectors, researchers, editors, authors, and illustrators in the field of children's literature" at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Patricia Lee Gauch will give the First Annual BERL Lecture.

Saturday, October 22, 2011
Lecture: The Picture Book as an Act of Mischief
"Celebrate the magic and mystery of the picture book as a key genre in literature for children." Free with Museum Admission.

Pre-Lecture Event
Friday, October 21, 2011
Creating a Picture Book: An Editor's Eye View
"Master Class with editor-writer Patricia Lee Gauch. Delve into how visual and textual elements work together to make a great picture book. Designed for students, teachers, and beginning illustrators. Registration is required. (18 years and up)"

www.carlemuseum.org/Programs_Events/Upcoming

(Barbara Elleman wrote TOMIE DEPAOLA, HIS ART & HIS STORIES.)

The Carle Honors Art Auction

"Our fourth annual art auction will feature original works of art donated by eleven of the industry's most celebrated artists. This year also offers the opportunity to bid on special 'experiences' with authors and artists - a personal meeting, specially personalized artwork or writings, or other once-in-a-lifetime gifts."

www.carlemuseum.org/carlehonors/auction2011

The Tomie dePaola Historical Museum Library and Bookstore

Emily and Nathan live in Portland, Connecticut.

"We so enjoyed your descriptions of 26 Fairmount Avenue that we decided to go visit it this week. We were very saddend and dissapointed to see that it had been abandonned and disrespected by its last owners. We would like to suggest that you buy your childhood house back again since it is now up for sale. I would suggest making it into a museum, library, bookstore or historical site."

Tomie: I was in Meriden, Connecticut, not long after receiving your letter and I drove by the house. It does look a bit sad. It was a great place to live when I was young. A lot of great memories came to me as I drove through the neighborhood. But, I don't think I'll buy the house.

Morgan Hill Bookstore, Photo #2

Rita and Bob Cricenti owned the Cricenti's Markets in New London and neighboring towns. They sold the markets a few years ago. When they drive near Paola in Italy, they think of Tomie.

Morgan Hill Bookstore, Photo #1

Cynthia Prince came to the autographing at Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London yesterday. She organized a reading program in the Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, public schools 30 years ago. She is still active in the program.

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #12

Kathie and Kevin Matsil. Kathie is the Children's Librarian at the Tomie dePaola Children's Library at Meriden Public Library.

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #11

Left to Right: Sue, Carol, Jeanne, Steve, Leah, Rhoda, Tomie

We went to Rhoda's house after the Meriden Public Library celebration. Sue is Carol's daughter. Carol was Tomie's grade school and high school dancing partner. Jeanne is Rhoda's friend. Steve is Leah's son. Miss Leah was Tomie and Carol's dancing school teacher. Rhoda helped Leah at the dancing school.

Meriden Public Library Posters #3

Meriden Public Library Posters #2

Meriden Public Library Posters #1

The Meriden Public Library created READ posters using staff members' children and pet. The framed posters hang outside the new Tomie dePaola Children's Library. What a clever idea for any library, school and classroom!

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #10

Left to Right: Shelby Bobbi, Patrick Bobbi, Judie Bobbi, David Bobbi, Ellie dePaola

Judie is Tomie's sister. David is Judie's husband. Patrick is Judie and David's son. Shelby is Patrick's wife. Ellie is Judie and Tomie's niece.

Pasta and Songs

Lily lives in Agoura Hills, California.

"Me and my class and the other sencend grad classes had a pasta party. We sang On Top of Spaghetti and That's Amore. It was so so fun. I think Strega Nona is your best book."

Tomie: What a great party!

You're Never Too Old

Dan lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

"I sure would like to thank you for the book you wrote called, 'The Legend of Bluebonnet.' This was the first book that I ever read in my life. I should tell you that I am in my late sixties. I didn't get to learn to read when I was growing up, but I am learning now."

Tomie: I admire you.

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #9

Left to Right: Peggy Marchetti, Karen Roesler, Ellen Anderson

Peggy and Ellen are Tomie's twin cousins. Karen is the Library Director of the Meriden Public Library.

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #8

Bina Williams is a Youth Services Librarian at Bridgeport Public Library in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Twelve Hours

We made the annual trip to the Weston Playhouse with Peggy (left) and Connie (right) of Morgan Hill Bookstore. We started with lunch at Fat Franks in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Next was shopping at the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham, Vermont. We then saw "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at the Weston Playhouse in Weston, Vermont. After laughing hard, we settled our minds by attending Vespers at the Weston Priory. We next filled our tummies with a wonderful meal at the Inn at Weston.

www.morganhillbookstore.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-Franks-The-Wurst-Place-in-Bellows-Falls/109552234684/
www.vermontcountrystore.com
www.westonplayhouse.org
www.westonpriory.org
www.innweston.com

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #7

Mickey Mariash from Mamaroneck Avenue School in Mamaroneck, New York.

Joe Pye Weed

Italian in the House

Anthony Manupelli visited yesterday to discuss a possible biopic/documentary about Tomie.

www.pelletproductions.com

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #6

Kiss the Cook! Kevin Matsil prepared a ton of food for the afternoon gathering at Kathie and Kevin's home.

Meriden Public Library Celebration, July 23, Photo #5

Kathie and Kevin Matsil hosted an afternoon gathering of Tomie's close friends and family prior to the evening gathering at the Meriden Public Library. Kathie is the children's librarian.

Left to Right: Kathie, Sue Keenan, Sherry Litwack, Tomie, Judie Bobbi, Ellie dePaola

Sue's mother is Carol, Tomie's childhood dancing partner. Sherry is a close friend. (She handles Tomie's artwork sales.) Judie is Tomie's youngest sister. Ellie is Tomie's niece, and Tomie's brother Buddy's (Joe's) daughter.

Wilder Award Party, Photo #12

Christine and Martin Marklin came to the party to represent the wonderful Marketplace at Marklin Candle in Contoocook, New Hampshire.

www.marklincandle.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #11

Bern and Peter Collins of South Burlington, Vermont.

www.pfclaw.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #10

Jeanne Lamb of the New York Public Library, and Andrew Medlar of the Chicago Public Library.

The Happy Family

Left to Right: Anne Marie, Tomie, Brita

Brita is Tomie's Swedish "girlfriend," and Anne Marie is Brita's daughter.

Great Find

Stephanie has cleaned for Tomie for nearly 30 years. This spring and summer she has enjoyed finding flowers in the gardens for flower arrangements in the house. She found these flowers yesterday.

Wilder Award Party, Photo #9

Here are Susan and Tom Galligan with Tomie. Tom is president of Colby-Sawyer College in New London. He testified before Congress on the BP disaster regarding maritime law.

www.colby-sawyer.edu

Wilder Award Party, Photo #8

Wilder Award Committee members, Martha V. Parravano and Andrew Medlar, are posing with Tomie and his Wilder Award medal. Martha is at THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE and Andrew is at Chicago Public Library.

www.hbook.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #7

When Tomie received the phone call in January from the Wilder Award Committee, he was having his annual holiday party. He was standing by the "bar" in the kitchen, and near the telephone when the phone rang.

When Tomie had his Wilder Award Party on July 31, he stood by the "bar" in the kitchen, and near the telephone waiting for a phone call about ANOTHER award.

But, the phone didn't ring.

Wilder Award Party, Photo #6

Left to Right: Lisa Fabiano, Tomie, Allison Pottern Hoch, Margaret Aldrich

Lisa, Allison and Margaret came from Wellesley Books in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

www.wellesleybooksmith.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #5

Isabel Berg is from Book Ends in Winchester, Massachusetts.

www.bookendswinchester.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #4

Wendy Kelso (left) and Madeline Braun (right) came to the party from Kennebooks in Kennebunk, Maine.

www.kennebooks.com

Wilder Award Party, Photo #3

Jessica Wood came from the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, to attend the party last week.

www.northshire.com

RECORD-JOURNAL (Meriden, Connecticut), July 31, 2011

Gagootz!

Coleen gave Tomie a cucuzza from her mother's New Jersey garden. Cucuzza is an Italian squash. It's commonly called "gagootz."

Brunch by Suzy Staubach

Suzy Staubach of the University of Connecticut Co-op wrote about the brunch with her unique spin.

www.willowtreepottery.us/Willow_Tree_Pottery/BiblioPotter/Entries/2011/8/1_Tomie_dePaola_Pot_Collector.html

Brunch by Elizabeth Bluemle

Flying Pig Bookstore's Elizabeth Bluemle's column about the brunch is at Publishers Weekly online.

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/
August 4, 2011, column

www.flyingpigbooks.com

Studio Photo

I had to take some photos of Tomie's studio. Here's one looking at the back of his drawing table.

Wilder Award Party, Photo #2

Suzy Staubach (left) and Terri Goldich (right) attended Sunday's Wilder Award party for New England booksellers and friends. They won the award for traveling the greatest distance. Suzy is at the University of Connecticut Co-op in Storrs, and Terri is at the Northeast Children's Literature Collection at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.

Wilder Award Party, Photo #1

Catalina Cuervo and John Hugo came yesterday to Tomie's Wilder Award Party for New England booksellers and friends.

www.hugobookstores.com