Tomie dePaola

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• Always an artist (1:00)

  At the age of four, Tomie dePaola knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. Sixty-four years later, he can’t imagine having done anything else.

• “Real artists don’t copy” (2:00)

  In this interview clip, dePaola recounts with remarkable clarity the true story that inspired his popular book, The Art Lesson.

• How to help talented, young artists (2:00)

  Do you have a talented, young artist in your house or in your classroom? In this segment, dePaola describes the things his parents and teachers did to support his passion for drawing.

• Playing hooky in kindergarten (1:20)

  When the kindergarten teacher said she wouldn’t teach reading until first grade, young dePaola took matters into his own hands. He walked out of class, went home, stared at a book, and waited for “it” to happen.

• All for the library card (3:30)

  When first grade rolled around, dePaola wanted a library card. But first he had to prove that he could read. That’s why he sneaked a book out of class and memorized the words over the weekend…

• Preparing future readers (2:00)

  DePaola explains why reading out loud to young children will excite them about stories and prepare them as future readers.

• Worthwhile aches and pains (1:00)

  It may be easy to romanticize the life of an illustrator, but illustrating takes a lot of hard work.

• Put the kid on your lap (2:00)

  It may seem like a simple thing, but put a kid on your lap during story time. This is what dePaola suggests when he reflects on his own cozy, childhood moments.