The year 1940 is a very big year for Tomie-it's the start of first grade, and it's his first birthday in the new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue. It's also the first year that Tomie gets to go trick-or-treating with his older brother, Buddy. Then the holidays arrive, and Tomie has a part in the Christmas play. This Christmas is going to be great! But disaster strikes when Tomie gets the chicken pox. Will he be cured in time for the Christmas pageant? Join Tomie dePaola once again as he takes us back to his childhood and allows us to share the holiday season with his family and friends.
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"Great read aloud to school kids. Shares the adventures and the worries of a young grade schooler with humor and a few black and white drawings in the Tomie DePoala style. "
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
[The] pictures are just right for this popular picture book artist's fans! (he Horn Book)
" A sweet, funny memoir of the author's childhood which covers Halloween and Christmas. "
— Tracie, 8/18/2013" Poor Tomie got chicken pox. And he'd had them before. I felt so sorry for him. This book covered the events leading toward Christmas. "
— Joy, 4/25/2013" You become attached to the characters. "
— Brett, 11/2/2012" This was a great book to listen to - very entertaining and interesting to learn more about how dePaola began his fascination with art and drawing. "
— Melinda, 7/7/2010Tomie dePaola is best known for his books for children. He’s been published for forty years and has written and/or illustrated over two hundred books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers. He has been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, and the New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Award of Living Treasure. He lives in New London, New Hampshire with his new Airedale dog, Brontë.