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Christmas Remembered
In this unique collection, Tomie dePaola shares his love of Christmas and all the delightful twists his life has taken. Christmas Remembered is a delightful window into the life of one of the great American children?s book author/ artists. ?Tomie dePaola is one of my favorite illustrators....He is also a writer of considerable charm, who can evoke a remembered world of his childhood with great vividness.??Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials Trilogy ?This book is like Christmas itself?full of surprises and sensory delights . . . for young and old alike.??Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk
88 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2006
About the author
Tomie dePaola
383 books854 followersTomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 21, 2022
I absolutely love Tomie DePaola’s work as a children’s author and illustrator so it was delightful to have more insight and context into his life. I loved this memoir-esque collection of Christmas stories from his life. I’d love to read a longer memoir by him.
September 25, 2020
Tomie reminisces about 15 different Christmases throughout his life, from his childhood, to his teen years, to his young adult years, to his mature years. The reminiscences are accompanied by his signature artwork in double-page spreads, full page, and smaller decorations. A couple of his more unique Christmas memories were from his time as a monk in a Benedictine monastery; and the year he spent Christmas in Santa Fe, New Mexico with friends. In each memory, he tells how artwork (his own or others) was an important part of the celebration. This would be a great book for a family to share at Christmas.
December 26, 2020
My first Tomie book made for adult and kid readers. I loved reading this book over Christmas and learning about Tomie’s life through the lense of Christmas time.
It’s fun to read memories and see where certain children’s books were birthed out of.
He had such a interesting life and writes about Christmases spent in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and even at a monastery.
His pictures are beautiful and love how he can recreate Christmas memories and magic with such detail and love.
It’s fun to read memories and see where certain children’s books were birthed out of.
He had such a interesting life and writes about Christmases spent in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas and even at a monastery.
His pictures are beautiful and love how he can recreate Christmas memories and magic with such detail and love.
January 13, 2019
Another Christmas present. This time by a writer and artist I'd never heard of before. The mere mention of that fact has caused some of his fans to loan me books he has authored and illustrated. I'll try to fit them in before next Christmas.
December 13, 2018
Who doesn't love Tomie de Paola? This book was a little peek into his personal Christmas memories along with his wonderful illustrations. It's a great book to read a little at a time with a cup of tea sitting by the Christmas tree. Loved it!
January 27, 2023
Tomie dePaola gives us a snapshot look at several Christmases in his life. Illustrated by his signature drawings, it is more a family book than one for just kids or for just adults. He writes about some of his favorite memories and his favorite people as well his travels and cities he had lived in. He also writes about his personal traditions, including decorating his Christmas trees with paper roses. It is quite a delightful book, one that can be enjoyed time and again, no matter what your age.
November 30, 2021
I've enjoyed many of dePaola's books, and expected to be delighted by his Christmas memoir. But it didn't catch my attention and would not have interested the kids, so we'll give this one a pass. There are so many other Christmas books that are a better fit for our family, so we'll let those have our reading time.
January 20, 2024
This guy was such a treasure. What an interesting life that he was willing to share with us in writing and with pictures. And of course about Christmas, his and our favorite time of year.
We have mainly read his works for children thus far, but have steadily been getting into his works written for everyone, and they are a great way to learn about life during the middle of the 20th century.
We have mainly read his works for children thus far, but have steadily been getting into his works written for everyone, and they are a great way to learn about life during the middle of the 20th century.
April 6, 2021
This is a collection of vignettes from fifteen Christmases that Tomie dePaola celebrated. He shares about his experiences in both childhood and adulthood, and the different anecdotes give glimpses into American history and different stages of his life.
December 31, 2021
This collection of short true stories of Christmas from the 1930s into the 1990s was a perfect Christmas read aloud.
We loved the classic Tomie dePaola illustrations and descriptions of his Christmases through the years. 🕊
We loved the classic Tomie dePaola illustrations and descriptions of his Christmases through the years. 🕊
October 16, 2017
As the first book Tomie dePaola wrote for all ages, it is full of wonderful stories of Christmases he enjoyed. Delightful.
December 31, 2017
A fun, interesting holiday read, especially for Tomie dePaola fans. My favorite chapter was "Santa Fe Christmas".
December 23, 2019
Fun collection of Christmas memories from a beloved author and illustrator. It’s always enjoyable to hear stories from Christmases past.
September 25, 2020
Tomie Depaola's memories of special Christmases through the years. Fun fact: he was a monk for a short time!
December 22, 2020
Just wonderful
December 6, 2021
Christmas was Tomie dePaola's favorite holiday and it was good to revisit his memories of great Christmases in his life.
January 9, 2017
Acclaimed children's author and illustrator has had an incredible life, which is revealed in this beautifully decorated book of essays of his Christmas memories from childhood onwards. During his childhood in Connecticut, his parents generously hosted informal and loving Christmas parties for neighbors and family in their bar-setup basement. As an art student at Pratt, Tomie took trips into Manhattan to carefully select Christmas presents for his family. And, in later years, Tomie celebrates with parties and close friends in the Southwest and New Hampshire. After reading this book, you will feel that Tomie dePaola is one of your best friends, and you have just returned from a long Christmas journey with him.
January 3, 2012
My mom bought this book for me for Christmas because she knows how much I like reading Christmas books. After reading other reviews, it seems that dePaola is a well known illustrator which explains why every page has an illustrated border. This is definitely a colorful book.
He shares small vignettes about his Christmas memories from when he was born until 2006. His life was more interesting than I would have thought.
He shares small vignettes about his Christmas memories from when he was born until 2006. His life was more interesting than I would have thought.
January 6, 2013
I was so excited to read Tomie de Paola's Christmas book and I was not disappointed! I love to read memoir, I love to read about different places, and I love stories of how artists live - so this was the perfect book for me. I found this in the library at my elementary school, but I think it is more suited to adult readers. Next December, put this on your reading list. It's a feel good read that will inspire you to reflect upon Christmases past.
December 26, 2013
It's always fun to get an insightful glimpse into the life of an author, especially when I learn about his life and see how it has affected his work. Although I've worked in public libraries since 1999 and have been reading books to my own boys for almost 28 years, I had never seen this book but I brought it home and read it over the past few days which really enhanced my Christmas. If you've ever read any of DePaola's work and wondered about him, do yourself a favor and read this one!
April 30, 2019
2019: After rereading the 26 Fairmount Avenue series, I tucked into this book and enjoyed it more on a second read. DePaola is a great storyteller. I just wish the pictures were drawn like the black-and-white 26 Fairmount Avenue illustrations instead of colorful collages without people. A matter of taste, I guess.
2008: no review, 3 stars
2008: no review, 3 stars
December 8, 2009
This charming book consists of brief vignettes of the many Christmases of his life. The sense I get from dePaola is that Christmas is a time of family, friends, celebration, and Catholic masses. I especially enjoyed reading about his time spent in a monastery, which filled me with the wonder and beauty of a simple, meditative life.
December 30, 2009
I bought this book for its educational value and because I like Tomie dePaola's work. It was not disappointing. A good memoir by a well-liked author. The book spans Mr. dePaola's life, almost from birth until 2006. Ut has rich historical and cross-cultural material. What I did not expect was how much I would appreciate insight into this author's life.
December 24, 2014
Spending Christmas Eve with Tomie dePaola...I wish.. This illustrated book for grown ups. by dePaola tells of his Christmas celebrations from childhood in Connecticut...to Weston Priory in Vermont....to SanFrancisco, to NYC..and finally in New HAmpshire. Love his illustrations and descriptions. Perfect book to read tonight.
November 25, 2008
This was a fun, interesting read - it'll get you into the spirit!
November 29, 2008
I love his children's books and this one - for all ages, as he says - is very nice, but it leaves me wondering - who is this man, really?
December 26, 2010
This was a sweet book of Tomie dePaola's Christmas memories--from when he was a little boy up to a few years ago. I had no idea that he was once a monk--he has such an interesting life!
December 31, 2015
Have liked this author/artist since my kids were little and met him at an event at "Dayton's", back in the day. Fun read.
January 29, 2013
I loved the art in this book, but the writing was not so great.
January 19, 2014
I don't need this in my Christmas book basket for every year, but it was lovely to read once. Fascinating remembrances and gorgeous illustrations... what else would you expect from dePaola?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews