Tomie dePaola is the December author for the 2021 Author Study Challenge. Tomie dePaola was a children’s literacy world treasure. He is the author and illustrator of so many wonderful books. While I have spent most of the year and the author study challenge focusing on newer children’s book authors, Tomie dePaola felt like the perfect end to our challenge this year.
Affiliate links are included in this post. Thanks for supporting My Storytime Corner.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2021 AUTHOR STUDY CHALLENGE
Meet Tomie dePaola
I imagine there aren’t many children that haven’t read or heard at least one book by Tomie dePaola in the past three decades. Strega Nona is his most well known book, but he is the author of dozens of imaginative and amazing picture books. Tomie dePaola passed away March of 2020, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Learn More about Tomie dePaola on her site: https://www.tomie.com/
You can see a full list of books by Tomie dePaola on his website. It’s incredibly remarkable how much one person created over the course of a lifetime. For the purposes of my sanity, practicality for you, and the season, I chose to focus just on holiday books by dePaola for the purposes of this Author Study.
Holiday Board Books by Tomie dePaola
My First Christmas
This is an adorable board book for little ones. It captures the simple traditions of Christmas like decorating the tree and putting out cookies for Santa. I love this for babies celebrating their first Christmas.
Find Online
The Night Before Christmas
Clement C. Moore’s classic poem is reimagined through Tomie dePaola’s beautiful artwork and shrunk to board book size. Find Online
Holiday Picture Books by Tomie dePaola
Joy to the World: Christmas Stories and Songs
If you pick up only one Tomie dePaola book this month, I would pick this one. It’s a delightful collection of stories and songs for Christmas. You can read a little bit each morning or each evening through the season. Find Online
Christmas Tree Book
Nonfiction fans will love this close look at the history of Christmas trees. This is one of our favorites every year. If you like Tomie’s POPCORN book then this is one for you to definitely pick up. Find Online
The Legend of the Poinsettia
The Mexican legend of the Poinsettia is portrayed in this beautiful story. Find Online
The Legend of Old Befana
This is retelling of an Italian Christmas folk tale. Find Online
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Strega Nona fans will love this holiday story about their favorite character. Find Online
Strega Nona’s Gift
You might also like Strega Nona’s gift – another picture book about beloved Strega Nona. Find Online
The Birds of Bethlehem
The Nativity scene told from the point of view of the birds. I absolutely love this Christmas story. After the collection I mentioned first, this is my next favorite. Find Online
The Story of the Three Wise Kings
A newer book by Tomie dePaola. His gorgeous artwork retell the story of the three wise men. Find Online
Click Here to Get the Preschool Author Study Pack
Author Study Activity Ideas
Playing with the books you read, writing and creating based on what you read, imitating an author’s style or aspects of their work is part of the fun of author studies. The options are unlimited.
When I’m deciding how to extend our reading, I think about my favorite unifying aspects of an artist’s work and themes that we love. For example, the materials they use to craft their illustrations. The theme of their work – maybe science or animals or every day life. Then I think of some creative ways to explore those with my kids. There is no incorrect direction to go with this. Explore, try things, have fun.
Art Ideas
- Make angel ornaments – here is a tutorial on Coffee Cups and Crayons.
Writing Ideas
- Retell one of your favorite Christmas stories. How can you change the perspective like Birds of Bethlehem?
Other Christmas Ideas
- Re-enact one of Tomie DePaola’s stories either acting it out or using puppets.
- Research more about Christmas trees or go to a Christmas tree farm to look closely at the different kinds of trees.
#2021authorstudychallenge
Share your favorite books and Tomie dePaola activities on Instagram with the hashtag #2021authorstudychallenge.
