Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola was a beloved children's book author and illustrator known for his extensive body of work, including the award-winning book Strega Nona.

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Profession :

Children's Author

Birthday :

September 15, 1934

Death Date:

March 30, 2020

Age :

85

Tomie dePaola, a renowned author and illustrator of children’s books, had a career spanning over five decades. He is best known for his popular picture book “Strega Nona,” which earned a Caldecott honor in 1976. Among his other celebrated works are “The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush,” “The Art Lesson,” “Oliver Button is a Sissy,” “The Clown of God,” and “26 Fairmount Avenue.” DePaola received numerous accolades, including the Smithson Medal from the Smithsonian Institution and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

Born and raised in Connecticut, dePaola’s family heritage dates back to the 1600s. He earned his BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and his MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. His name, “Tomie,” came from an Italian saint his mother prayed to for healing when he was a baby. Despite its religious origins, dePaola’s name was often misspelled and mispronounced.

Before becoming a full-time writer and illustrator, dePaola taught art to high school students and served as an artist-in-residence at various colleges and universities. Having overcome dyslexia as a child, he advocated for literacy and supported programs for children with reading difficulties. DePaola received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to children’s literature and arts education.

In 2013-2014, dePaola’s early and later works were exhibited at Colby-Sawyer College, highlighting the influence of artists such as Fra Angelico and George Roualt on his artistic development. Throughout his career, dePaola published over 270 books, making him one of the most cherished figures in children’s literature. In 2011, he received the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his significant and lasting contribution to the field.

DePaola passed away in 2020 at the age of 85, leaving a legacy of heartwarming and imaginative stories that have touched generations of readers. His most famous work, “Strega Nona,” continues to enchant young readers with its magical storytelling. DePaola’s dedication to promoting literacy and his advocacy for children with reading difficulties have left a lasting impact on the world of children’s literature. An interesting fact about dePaola is that he had two exhibitions in 2013-2014 at Colby-Sawyer College, showcasing his early and later work.