Tomie dePaola Papers
Scope and Contents
Collection contains production material for over 160 books written and/or illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Collection includes drafts, proofs, notes and research material, illustrations done in a variety of media (many with separations), studies and sketches in a variety of media, photographs, dummies, and related materials. The collection also contains a substantial amount of correspondence to and from dePaola, including some from children that include art work and photographs, as well as correspondence to and from publishers and editors.
Dates
- 1947 - 2017
Creator
- DePaola, Tomie, 1934- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
Tomie De Paola was born on September 15, 1934, in Meriden, Connecticut. He studied art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, and received his B.F.A. in 1956. He later received an M.F.A. from the California College of Arts and Crafts and a doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College. Early in his career he worked as a freelance artist, designed, painter, set designer, and teacher. In 1965 he illustrated Soundand Wheels, two informational books for children by Lisa Miller, and in 1966 published his own book, The Wonderful Dragon of Timlin. During his life he wrote or illustrated over 270 books for children, including informational books, realistic picture books, folktales, religious stories, and other works, written by himself or others.
One of his best known works, an adaptation of Strega Nona, received a Caldecott Honor citation in 1976, and his novel 26 Fairmount Avenue was awared a Newbery Honor in 2000. In 1981 he received the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his contribution to childrens' literature.
DePaola died in 2020 in New Hampshire.
Biographical Sources:
"Tomie DePaola (1934-)." Something About the Author. Vol. 270. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2014.
Biography. Tomie dePaola official website. Accessed February 2023. https://www.tomie.com/a-bit-longer-bio.
Extent
68.25 Cubic Feet (64 boxes (8 Paige boxes, 15 Hollinger boxes, 41 oversize flat boxes))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Tomie dePaola's papers focus on his work as an author and illustrator of children's books. The collection contains production material for over 160 books written and/or illustrated by dePaola, including original artwork, drafts, proofs, and correspondence, and related materials.
Arrangement
Collection guide arranged alphabetically by publication title.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Tomie dePaola.
- Animals -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Bible stories, English -- Gospels Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Bible stories, English -- Old Testament Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature -- Illustrations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's literature, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's poetry, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Children's stories, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christian saints -- Juvenile literature Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christianity -- Juvenile literature Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christmas stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Color separation (technique) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Dragons -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Drawings (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Fairy tales Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Folklore Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Ghost stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Hanukkah -- Juvenile literature Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Holidays -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Humorous stories Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustration of books -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Illustrators -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Magic -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Manuscripts for publication Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Music -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Nursery rhymes Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Stories without words Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Witches -- Juvenile fiction Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- paintings (visual works) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- watercolors (paintings) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- Tomie De Paola papers, 1947-2017
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jim Eyer and John Barneson
- Date
- 2003
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- October 2017: collection reprocessed and finding aid updated by K. Dietrick.
- February 2023: Description updated by Caitlin Marineau.
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Children's Literature Research Collections Collecting Area