Four Friends at Christmas [Hardcover]

Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002 | Age Level: 3 and up

Mister Frog has slept through Christmas every year, and every year he has listened to his three friends talk about how wonderful it is.

"Oh, Froggy, you would love it! Turkey, plum pudding, candy canes, lots of good things to eat," says Mistress Pig.

"Candles, angels, and Christmas trees," says Missy Cat.

"Yule logs, Christmas carols, and Santa Claus," adds Master Dog.

And this year, Mister Frog is determined not to miss it -- but oh, if he could just take one small nap....

Join world-renowned children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola as he celebrates the joyful mystery that is Christmas with Mister Frog, Missy Cat, Master Dog, and Mistress Pig. Infused with comradely warmth and colorfully irresistible pictures, Four Friends at Christmas, is a Christmas present just waiting to be opened.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mister Frog, Missy Cat, Master Dog and Mistress Pig star in Tomie dePaola's Four Friends at Christmas, adapted from dePaola's 1977 Four Stories for Four Seasons. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children's book authors and illustrators of our time. His humor, insight, and gentle art delight all readers. A Newbery Honor award winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books for Simon & Schuster, including Caldecott Honor Book Strega Nona, as well as Andy: That's My Name, Watch Out for the Chicken Feet in Your Soup, and "Charlie Needs a Cloak." A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; Reprint edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689852827
• ISBN-13: 978-0689852824
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,711,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE, November 18, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Four Friends at Christmas (Hardcover)

Tomie dePaola has won the hearts of countless youngsters with his endearing illustrations and pictures. Now, adults who enjoyed him as a child are enthusiastically sharing his books with their own children. That might well be the case with FOUR FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS, which was first published some 30 years ago as the chapter entitled "Winter" in Four Stories for Four Seasons." Rereading and enjoying this edition reminds one of the timelessness of dePaola's work. FOUR FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS is as fresh today as it was when first published because it is a story of friendship and love.

Our story opens as the Christmas holidays near and most animals are preparing for it, but not Mister Frog. "Mister Frog always slept right through the winter. Most frogs do." However, Mister Frog's three friends had always told him how wonderful it was to celebrate the Christmas holidays so this year Mister Frog decided he would stay awake and join the festivities.

He did manage to stay awake all through November, which was quite a chore for him. He had kept busy making plans because after all this was to be his first Christmas and he wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. Planning turned out to be quite tiring so he decided he'd take a small nap before going shopping. Then, before he knew it he heard church bells ringing. Oh-oh, could he have overslept and will he miss another Christmas?

Suggested for youngsters ages 3-6, FOUR FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS will warm hearts both young and old.

- Gail Cooke

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, January 7, 2010

By 

ArtyLea (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Four Friends at Christmas (Hardcover)

Typical of Tomie dePaola, a sweet, short story about friends and Christmas. Typical also, are the beautiful illustrations.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical and charming, December 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Four Friends at Christmas (Hardcover)

Such a sweet Christmas story! It's a wonderful book for the season. And funny!