Tomie dePaola serves as "biographer" to his delightful Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, in this beautifully drawn prequel. The tale begins with little Nona's birth on a dark and stormy night, and ends where the original Strega Nona picks up-with Strega Nona taking on the bumbling, knock-kneed Big Anthony as an apprentice. This winsome story is illustrated throughout with Tomie dePaola's warm and sunny watercolors! "dePaola does a splendid job of working this sparkling tale into the Strega Nona canon." -Publishers Weekly

In this holiday follow-up to Tomie dePaola's Caldecott Honor-winning Strega Nona, our favorite Grandma-Witch is back and bringing her magic to Christmas with a town feast--can she count on Big Anthony as her only helper? It's Christmas time in Calabria and with Strega Nona's annual feast around the corner, she has no time for her usual magical tasks. Christmas has a magic of its own, and no one knows magic like Strega Nona does, especially Big Anthony. But with the clock ticking on her preparations, will Big Anthony finally be able to prove that he can be counted on with some magic of his own? With warm illustrations in Tomie's classic folk-art style, this refreshed addition to the Strega Nona series is a must-have for fans of all ages.

From award-winning author Tomie dePaola comes a witty and charming Christmas tale about Santa getting ready for his big night until...oh no, he's really got to GO...to the potty! Hurry, Santa! No time to rest, It's Christmas Eve. And time to get dressed! It's finally time for Santa to prepare for the most magical night of the year! But before he can spread Christmas cheer to every boy and girl, he must hurry up and get ready. Just when he's almost out the door, Santa runs back inside because OH NO! Santa's got to GO! Little ones will be chuckling with merry laughter when they find out that even Santa needs to go to the potty!

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

Enter the marvelous, magical world of Strega Nona! This wonderful treasury features six favorite stories about Strega Nona and her sidekick, the bumbling Big Anthony--including the original Strega Nona, as well as Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Strega Nona: Her Story, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation, Strega Nona's Harvest, and Strega Nona's Gift. Tomie's brand-new introductions to each story take readers behind the scenes to see how Strega Nona's world has developed through the years. Also including an original lullaby--with sheet music and a CD--a map of Strega Nona's town, and some fun recipes, this collection will give readers and music lovers much to savor. Strega Nona, Tomie dePaola's beloved "grandmother witch," has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Award-winning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nona's gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her "an enduring character who has charmed generations of children."

In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child.

Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep.

But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her world will never be the same.

In My First Halloween, Tomie dePaola's warm illustrations capture the sweet moments of Halloween that become wonderful memories for the family. A 3-D effect on the cover, along with eye-catching foil, make this an irresistible addition to every child's bag of treats.

In My First Christmas, warm illustrations and easy-to-follow text celebrate the joys and traditions of this special holiday. From decorating the tree to putting cookies out for Santa, the Christmas spirit is beautifully captured by Tomie dePaola.

What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time? Well, it?s no ordinary battle since the knight has to go to the castle library to learn about dragon-fighting and the dragon must dig through his ancestor?s things to find out how to fight a knight! ?Spontaneity of line and feeling are backed by zesty colors and a jovial, tongue-in-cheek tone to which children can relate?A top springtime choice.? --Booklist ?There?s a swirl of good-humored life to the book.? --The New York Times Book Review

In spring, the hills and meadows of Texas and Wyoming are ablaze with the reds, oranges, and yellows of the Indian Paintbrush. How this striking plant received its name is told in an old Indian legend.

Many years ago, when the People traveled the Plains, a young Indian boy had a Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he would create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset. The boy grew up to become the painter of the tribe, but although he found a pure white buckskin for a canvas and made paints from the brightest flowers and the reddest berries, he could not capture the sunset.

How the young Indian artist finally fulfills his Dream-Vision is lovingly told and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, in words and pictures that capture the spirit and beauty of this dramatic legend.

A timeless story inspired by the Book of Job and illustrated by the legendary Tomie dePaola-now reissued as a board book Originally published in 1987 and now available as a board book for the first time, God Is Great,God Is Good showcases Tomie dePaola's unmistakable illustration style against this poetic text based on passages from the Bible's Book of Job.

In this delightful board book, dePaola introduces Thanksgiving to young children with spare text and his signature illustrations. This reissued board book features a 3-D effect on the cover and a larger size. Full color.