Five Questions for Tomie dePaola

by Roger Sutton
Jul 03, 2011 | Filed in Blogs
 

At last! I have loved Tomie's books since being a children's librarian (even thirty years ago, he seemed to have picture books about everything), and we've worked together on some articles and two Horn Book covers, but we had never met. He looks like he drew himself. And a man of firm opinions: his favorite own book? Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs. Favorite fellow Wilder winner? Ashley Bryan. Digital future? Picture books will never go away. And--in another self-interested question--he said he'd love to illustrate a book of opera plots, and with his editor Nancy Paulsen sitting in the front row, I told him I wanted to write it. Tomie's old friend Barbara Elleman introduces him here.

Great to finally meet you, Tomie!
Roger Sutton
Roger Sutton

Editor Emeritus Roger Sutton was editor in chief of The Horn Book, Inc., from 1996-2021. He was previously editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and a children's and young adult librarian. He received his MA in library science from the University of Chicago in 1982 and a BA from Pitzer College in 1978.

4 COMMENTS
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.
Fill out the form or Login / Register to comment:
(All fields required)

dkm

>Can't wait for the book on opera plots!

Posted : Jul 06, 2011 02:07

Diane

>I think he is quite a character, I am intending to write about him soon on my blog.

Posted : Jul 06, 2011 10:53

Helen Frost

>"He looks like he drew himself." Perfect.

Posted : Jul 04, 2011 10:47

Annie

>Tomie dePaola is a favorite and a treasure for the children's book world. Great post!

Posted : Jul 03, 2011 03:20

RELATED 

READ ROGER

Fanfare 2021 Booklist
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

January/February 2022 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Happy Birthday to Me (and Maybe You?): A Note from Me (Oct 26, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

A Note from Me (Oct 8, 2021)
by Roger Sutton
READ ROGER

November/December 2021 Horn Book Magazine starred reviews
by Roger Sutton
More
RECOMMENDED
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?