26 Fairmount Avenue (Newbery Honor Book, 2000) [Paperback]

Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 5, 2001 | Age Range: 7 - 10 years | Series: 26 Fairmount Avenue

Tomie's family starts building their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in 1938, just as a hurricane hits town, starting off a busy, crazy year. Tomie has many adventures all his own, including eating chocolate with his Nana Upstairs, only to find out--the hard way--that they have eaten chocolate laxative. He tries to skip kindergarten when he finds out he won't learn to read until first grade. "I'll be back next year," he says. When Tomie goes to see Snow White, he creates another sensation. Tomie dePaola's childhood memories are hilarious, and his charming illustrations are sure to please.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kicking off a series by the same name, dePaola's effervescent chapter book recounts some memorable moments from the author's early years, surrounded by loving family members and friends. Fans will recognize a few of the cast members from the author's various autobiographical picture books. Organized as an engaging pastiche of memories from 1938 to 1939, the story's primary focus is the snafu-plagued construction and landscaping of the dePaola family's "first and only house," in Meriden, Conn. Within this clever framework, other diverting vignettes surface: during the hurricane of 1938, dePaola's mother sprinkles holy water on a terrified neighbor for protection; young Tomie generously shares "chocolates" he finds hidden in the bathroom with his Nana Upstairs (they turn out to be laxatives); and on the first day of kindergarten, when he learns that reading is not taught until first grade, he announces, "Fine, I'll be back next year," and heads home. DePaola successfully evokes the voice of a precocious, inquisitive five-year-old everyone would want to befriend. Charming black-and-white illustrations animate the scenes and add a period flare, including a photo album-like assemblage of the characters' portraits at the book's start. Readers will also appreciate a glimpse of the artist's early debut as he draws life-size images of his family on the plasterboard walls in his new house. DePaola seems as at home in this format as he did when he first crossed the threshold of 26 Fairmount Avenue, an address readers will eagerly revisit in the series' subsequent tales. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4An autobiographical account of dePaolas childhood, centered on the building of his familys new house during the 1930s. Each short chapter is also a slice-of-life view of young Tomies worldwitnessing a hurricane, a disillusioning first day of kindergarten, a much anticipated theater trip to see Disneys Snow White, and holiday gatherings. The authors thrill at being allowed to draw on the walls of the new house before plastering would be a fantasy come true for many budding artists. DePaola presents it all with a keen understanding of the timeless concerns children share. Filled with subtle humor and detail that children will appreciate, the narrative is crisp and casual, making it an ideal read-aloud. Black-and-white drawings portray family members, many of whom are already familiar from earlier picture books. A thoroughly entertaining and charming story.Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (March 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698118642
• ISBN-13: 978-0698118645
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Literary

More About the Author

"Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.
It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.
He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his ""singular attainment in children's literature,"" the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his ""continued distinguished contribution,"" and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.
Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.
- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.
Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition for his books in the children's book world, including:
- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

"

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing Personal Narratives to Young Writers January 23, 2000

By mt

Format:Hardcover

26 Fairmont Avenue, simply written, is an easily understood example of writing from life experiences. I used this book as a read-aloud with my third grade class to introduce the concept of writing from memories and experiences. The students enjoyed hearing DePaola's story of his family's new house and were able to understand that the simplest things in our lives are often the best source of writing ideas.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 26 Fairmount Avenue...A Treasure May 31, 2001

By Roz Levine

Format:Paperback

In 1938, Tomie dePaola is five years old and things are really beginning to happen. His family is building a new house with two floors and will be moving out of the apartment he's lived in his whole life. He'll be starting kindergarten, hopefully learning to read, and he just can't wait. Walt Disney's Snow White is at the movies and everybody's excited about going to see it and that was the year the big hurricane struck Connecticut..... Told in the first person, Mr dePaola has written a wonderfully heartwarming, autobiographical story, full of humor, drama, suspense and just the day to day ups and downs of a little boy's life. His easy to read text is written in a gentle conversational tone and fans of dePaola will recognize characters from his picture books, (Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs). This continuity adds intimacy to the story and makes youngsters feel like a part of the family. Perfect for readers 7-11, 26 Fairmount Avenue is also a terrific read aloud family book and the first of a new series that shouldn't be missed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great children's story July 7, 2001

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

"26 Fairmount Avenue" is the first of this author's chapter books. It tells about dePaola and his family as a child, moving into a new house and a tragic hurricane. Tomie tells the story with grade level words for early chapter book readers. And there are illustrations too. But they are in black and white, like alot of chapter books would be in. This book is great. It even won the Newberry Medal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars first biography October 30, 2002

By Chris Customer

Format:Hardcover

In reading this book to my first grade class, Tomie always left them wanting to know more about his life. This first book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series takes Tomie from the summer before kindergarten through his first year at his brothers "big" school. The story focuses on experiences dealing with moving in to a new house and neighborhood, having his teacher mispronounce his name, starting tap dancing lessons and many other events that shape his beginnings at his new life at 26 Fairmount Avenue. My students enjoyed every page of this new series, cover to cover and ended up checking out the book at the library all year! We continued to read the next four books throughout the year and continue to discuss them when we see each other around school. This new beginning biography series is a must have for every primary grade classroom.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent chapter book for read aloud & reading. November 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Excellent chapter book for read aloud and for young readers. This first chapter book by Tomie DePaola is the start of many to come. The book is a narrative of his childhood experience moving to a new home. Like his picture books, this one should not be missed!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to make a well-loved author real to young readers. September 8, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

26 Fairmount Avenue is a warm, personal story of popular children's author, Tomie dePaola. Young children are always curious about the authors whose books the read. Tomie's new book offers a delightful glimpse into his life as a child, something young readers will no doubtt find fascinating. His connections to his earlier picture books, especially those about his grandparents, will strike a familiar note with young and old fans, alike. I think 26 Fairmount Avenue provides an authentic springboard to students' writing of their own autobiographies, at any grade level (even with my university students).

We have seen so much of Tomie's life reflected in his picture books. Now he has provided older readers a place to revisit old favorites from a more mature perspective. His stories help us to realize that the events of our early lives do make strong impressions.

I can't wait for the next edition!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ian from Massachusetts LOVED this Tomie dePaola book! August 21, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I read the book, "26 Fairmount" Avenue and I really, really liked it! My favorite part was when Tomie ate the X-Lax that he thought was chocolate candy. I liked that you visited your Grandmother upstairs. This is how I read the book: First of all I read it in one day! Then I read it waiting for the bus, read it on the bus, read it going up the street, and read it crossing the streets. I got home, went downstairs, sat on the couch - and I was still reading it, too. Took off my shoes and read the rest of the book. Tomie is my favorite author and I liked this autobigraphical book. My Auntie Lynne just bought me "Here We All Are" - I can hardly wait to start reading it! I hope Tomie dePaola writes more 26 Fairmount Avenue books!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Swim Over Here And Read This Book May 8, 2002

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

26 Fairmount Avenue
By Tomie Depaola

Do you ever think that Tomie's house could get picked up in a hurricane just like in the Wizard of Oz? When Tomie was 5 years old his house was picked up by a hurricane. So then Tomie had to move to 26 Fairmount Avenue. Tomie's house was going to be on a new street. But workers came and made the street very deep so it looks like it was on a hill. Tomie's mom started to cry. Finally New Years Eve came and some of Tomie's friends came over for the celebration. The excitement doesn't end there.

I like this book because it is really relaxing and funny. The pictures are very detailed and the writing really keeps you interested.

The author taught me a lesson that you just have to be patient and something might come to you. Remember this book is a Newbery Honor book.