On My Way: A 26 Fairmount Avenue Book (26 Fairmount Avenue Books) [Paperback]

Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: 26 Fairmount Avenue Books

Tomie is overjoyed because his baby sister, Maureen, is finally strong enough to come home from the hospital. Over the next months, he is in a dance recital and he gets to go to the World's Fair. Soon, the school year is at an end. Summer is full of fun things to do, like going to the beach and celebrating the Fourth of July-but Tomie can't wait for school to start again. He hopes he'll get Miss Kiniry, the first-grade teacher he likes the best. In first grade he will finally-finally-learn to read. And maybe even get a library card of his own!

"DePaola's writing and recollective skills are so fresh that kids will feel like he's sitting right next to them, telling his tales in and out of school with disarming charisma and not a hint of nostalgia." (The Horn Book)

"More please." (Kirkus Reviews, pointer review)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A 5-year-old Tomie worries over the health of his baby sister, learns to read in one weekend (with a pilfered schoolbook), and helps his father pave the new driveway (to a too-fine polish!). In the spirit of his earlier memoirs, the Newbery Honor-winning 26 Fairmount Avenue and Here We All Are, author Tomie dePaola recounts the (mostly) serene days between the end of kindergarten and the beginning of first grade. DePaola's warm, humorous style appeals to readers of all ages. His recall of a boyhood summer is vivid enough to touch youngsters who may be experiencing similar thrills and spills and to bring back memories for those whose kindergarten days are long past. From the 1939 World's Fair to a neighborhood "Tiny Tot Wedding," in which the budding thespian Tomie plays the part of the bride, each episode glows with boyish bliss. DePaola's folksy black-and-white drawings and silhouettes capture the details of life at 26 Fairmount Avenue with charm and wit. A wonderful read-aloud. (Ages 7 to 11) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

DePaola's drawings lend his characteristic warmth and humor to this third installment in the 26 Fairmount Avenue chapter-book series, based on the author/artist's childhood. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698119487
• ISBN-13: 978-0698119482
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 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: #152,113 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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Slice of Tomie DePaola's Life....., May 28, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: On My Way (A 26 Fairmount Avenue Book) (Hardcover)

Tomie DePaola is back with the third book of his autobiographical series and this installment is just as warm and wonderful as his two previous books, 26 Fairmount Avenue and Here We All Are. This story takes a look at life for a few months in 1940 and is highlighted by baby sister Maureen's frightening bout of pneumonia, Tomie's first dance recital, a family visit to the 1939 New York World's Fair and the thrill of finally entering first grade, learning to read and getting his first library card. Told in a gentle conversational tone, On My Way lets youngsters go back in time and "spy" on the day to day ups and downs of the extended DePaolo family. Life may have been somewhat different and simpler sixty years ago, but what kids will really come to realize and understand is how much life, today, is the same as it was then. For Mr DePaolo, writing these, 26 Fairmount Avenue books is very much a labor of love and it shows on each and every inspired page. Perfect reading for youngsters 7-11, and even better as a family read aloud book, On My Way is a treasure, told with great insight, wisdom, humor and love.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just MY opinion, May 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On My Way (A 26 Fairmount Avenue Book) (Hardcover)

This 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE series is real crossover material. That is, I think it's great reading for children of ALL ages. Of the three, ON MY WAY may be my favorite. The first chapter is suspenseful and frightening and the last chapter is schoolboy triumphant. DePaola continues to create some extraordinary work. THE CLOWN OF GOD is a masterpiece. NANA UPSTAIRS & NANA DOWNSTAIRS touches the soul and heart. The 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE series affirms that WE ALL have stories to tell. The BARKERS series is fresh and fun. DePaola may have published a few klinkers along the way but, he's mostly on target especially with ON MY WAY.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another fun chapter in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series, March 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On My Way (A 26 Fairmount Avenue Book) (Hardcover)

On My Way is another fun adventure in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series. The book starts out on a somber note when Tomie's sister becomes very ill, but the story becomes more upbeat from there. Once again Tomie has many adventures, including becoming an actor in a play (to rave reviews), going to the World's Fair in New York City, and paving the family's new driveway. Young Tomie is an insightful boy, and his thoughts and ideas are always enjoyable to the reader. Once again, Tomie dePaola's artwork fits the story perfectly. I would recommend this book to younger readers and adults, as both will be able to find similarities in their own lives to life of young Tomie dePaola. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series.