The award-winning artist whose first personal story, 26 Fairmount Avenue , was awarded Newbery Honor Book status continues his account of his childhood in a second short volume written at the interest and skill level of many of his children’s books. Once again, DePaola displays a clear memory of what it feels like to be little. New to kindergarten, his teacher spells his name T-o-m-m-y, regardless of his protests. He tries to paint the picture in his head, but he isn’t allowed to rinse his paintbrush or borrow another, so the colors become muddy. He doesn’t land the title role in the class production of Peter Rabbit,, but in trying to show how able an actor he is, he unknowingly upstages all the others. The plucky boy with an indomitable spirit realizes in the end that his teacher values his gifts highly and that his parents love him for all he is. The short chapters of this easy-to-read book are laced with quaint references to things children can ask adults, like “decals” and “laundry chutes.” Readers also will realize that the new baby in his family grows into the sister who is now Tomie DePaola’s valued adult friend. (Ages 5-9)

Tomie can't believe that anything could be more exciting than moving to a new house. Then he finds out that a new baby is coming. Will it be a sister? That's what Tomie hopes. While he is waiting for her to arrive, there is plenty to keep him busy, including tap dancing lessons and the tryouts for a play about Peter Rabbit. Once again, Tomie dePaola takes us back to his childhood and shares the funny personal memories that make us all wish we could grow up at 26 Fairmount Avenue too.