written and illustrated by Tomie De Paola
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999. 57 pgs.
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Hardcover: $13.99
Annotation: Tomie can't wait for his new house on 26 Fairmount Avenue to be built, but will the big hurricane of '38 make his family's dreams disappear?
Summary: Tomie is 4 years old and his life is full of interesting adventures. It all begins with the big hurricane of 1938. Tomie and his family are living in an apartment and are hoping the big twister doesn't take their new house with it when it goes. Luckily, it's still standing and each chapter in the rest of the book details the interesting, funny adventures that little Tomie experiences as a boy. His mother takes him to see the first ever animated Walt Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (at which he is disappointed that Walt hadn't read the book correctly). Tomie goes to kindergarten only to find out they don't teach you to read until first grade and thus immediately leaves in order to wait for next year. He visits with his Great-grandma nana (who is incidentally tied to a chair so she doesn't fall out) and they both happily consume chocolates only to find out later they just ate an entire package of laxatives. There are several other adventures, just as delightful as those, and it all ends with Tomie and his brother moving into their new home on 26 Fairmount Avenue.
Evaluation: In this splendid chapter book by De Paolo, the author creates a humorous and perfectly charming rendition of his own boyhood. He has wonderful stories to tell: the hurricane of 1938, watching the first Disney animation at the movies, his family's adventures building a new house and watching the year 1940 come in. It's gentle, engaging and a real treat that children today can exclaim over and make comparisons between their childhood and De Paolo's.
Significance: De Paolo grew up in a different era, but he takes some interesting experiences he had as a child and manages to make them appealing, verbally and visually, to children in the present day.
Personal Choice: I loved the idea of De Paolo naming the book after the house he lived in as a child. I think it's so much fun and so delightful when people name their houses (confession--my house is named Briar Rose Cottage).
Awards: Newbery Honor, 2000 / Wilder Winner, 2011
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