Tomie dePaola – Page 2 – Cannonball Read 17

Don’t get stuck, read this book about quicksand!

The Quicksand Book by Tomie dePaola

June 21, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I once said Tomie dePaola could do no wrong in my eyes. And while that is still true, The Quicksand Book is not in my top ten likes. Yet, there is a charm to it that makes it a fun book tht could appeal across ages. This is a clever story about the facts of quicksand. The boy of the story is pontificating as the girl (who was swinging through the jungle, minding her own business, when her vine breaks) has been caught in quicksand. […]

I never meet a Tomie book I didn’t appreciate

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise by Tomie dePaola

May 15, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise is based on the Canticle of the Three Young Men or the Benedicite from the Book of Daniel and Psalm 148. Tomie dePaola has created a poem inspired by these Old Testament Scriptures but has a modern voice that only he could do. While the art does not immediately say “Tomie” it does have elements of his signature style. The fact it is also based on “embroideries and designs of the Otomi people from the mountain villages around San […]

When Everyone Was Fast Asleep a Cat woke them up….

When Everyone Was Fast Asleep by Tomie dePaola

May 14, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When Everyone Was Fast Asleep the fog wakes up the narrators with Token and off to the king’s ball they go. Along the way, they have a few small adventures and at the end of the night, the two of them are happy and tucked safely back into their beds. When Everyone Was Fast Asleep is a much more poetic story than other books by Tomie dePaola. It also is a less solid story than usual (there is a story yet, it is no Strega Nona). […]

I cannot be Quiet as Tomie has a new book!

October 11, 2018 by BlackRaven 1 Comment

Oh Tomie! Your illustrations are on point, but the story needs to be in a smaller format! I would love to see this in a lap size or even a medium sized board book. But don’t worry, I still love you Mr. D! Quiet by Tomie dePaola is classic dePaola. A grandfather and his grandchildren go out to enjoy the world around them. While the world is busy and chaotic, there is also quiet to enjoy. The combination of spiritual and secular is there. You […]

The Glory of my Favorite Illustrator

May 30, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The end of March 2018 saw a reissue of a Tomie dePaola classic Big Anthony and the Magic Ring (now called Strega Nona’s Magic Ring). The beginning of March saw a reissue of The Clown of God (last night was the first time I could read without crying my eyes out). And early April saw a rare site: dePaola’s text and illustrations by Doug Salati with, In a Small Kingdom. It is a miracle I can tear myself away from reading them! (Yes, my friends, […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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