Biography of Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola (1934 to 2020) is considered to be one of the most famous authors of children's literature of the modern era.
The great author and illustrator was born and brought up in the little town of Meriden.
In his interviews, he has said that only at the age of four, he declared to his family that he would be a painter and an author in the future.
DePaola used to paint sitting in his attic in his childhood. He asked for art supplies every Christmas.
Tomie dePaola got his graduation degree in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in New York in 1956.
The man started doing illustrations works in the children’s books in 1965.
This way, dePaola’s artistic career began.
DePaola had been popular for his artistic skills all through his professional career. His attractive story characters and unique artistic expression continue to amaze the children and the adults.
The author had written many folktales, nursery rhymes, religious books, and textbooks.
DePaola has illustrated more than 200 children's books and written nearly 100 books for the children.
The highly famed artist used to visit kids' schools, teach students in different colleges and roam around the country on book tours.
The great personality is featured by famous media outlets like NBC, NPR, and the USA. He was highly praised by the former first lady Hilary Clinton for his artwork.
His vibrant personality led him to numerous guest appearances on public television.
DePaola was awarded the American Library Association Caldecott Honor in 1976 for his illustrations in Strega Nona.
Though he did not receive many awards in his entire life, his life was full of delightful stories.
When a schoolgirl of 4th grade wrote a letter to him begging him to write a chapter book, the author started writing childhood stories.
DePaola and his editor published a collection of these stories in a book called ’26 Fairmont Avenue’ in 1999.
This book brought him the prestigious Newbery honor.
His popularity overreached his fame as an author or a painter.
He was a big-hearted person full of warmth and energy.
He knew well how to entertain a large crowd. In his interviews, he has told his funny childhood stories and about his professional career.
The stories about his life and career encourage the young artists to initiate their journey on the path of art and creation.
For a long time, he used to stay in the countryside of New Hampshire and work from this studio, a renovated 200-year-old barn.
He has been recorded to receive around 100,000 letters every year from his fans and followers.
He passed away on March 30, 2020. His life has taught us to listen to our minds, and if we are on the right path, it will take us to the peak of success.
