Amazon.com Book Description (ISBN 039923246X, Hardcover)

In a striking debut, Tomie dePaola finds just the right voice for his first chapter book about his adventures during the year the family built their house at 26 Fairmount Avenue.

It all began when the "Big Hurricane of 1938" roared into town...then his first day of school took an unexpected turn...so did Mr. Disney's Snow White, the movie everyone had been waiting to see. These are only a few of the stories that will have readers racing from one episode to the next. Tomie fans, young and old, will be delighted to find favorite characters from his picture books, such as Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs, Tom and others.

Funny, dramatic and memorable moments combined with lively illustrations throughout will make everyone wish they had grown up in the dePaola family.

Going to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

It was scary, and I loved it. But lots of kids didn't, and suddenly I heard crying and screaming all around me, even from Buddy.
"I want to go home!" he yelled.
"Come on," my mother said, standing up. "let's go."

"I'm not going," I said. I had waited a long time for Mr. Walt Disney's movie. My mom, who is probably the smartestperson in the world, understood. "All right, Tomie, sit right here and don't move. I'llbe in the lobby with your brother." That was fine with me.

"Tomie dePaola's readers are going to love this longer look into his world. He has given us a rollicking glimpse into life in the thirties and his own childhood. The writing is vivid and clear to the emerging reader; the story warmly and beautifully told."-Patricia Reilly Giff

"By reading this book, I know even more about my pal Tomie. Everyone should read 26 Fairmount Avenue-and feel like Tomie's his or her friend too. Fine writing-fine art-fine friend!"-Paula Danziger

26 Fairmount Avenue is a charming, gentle, funny beginning of what we hope will be more stories of Tomie's Life, told in the voice of the child Tomie. His respect and reverence for both the old and the young is clear-in his life and in his stories. -Patricia MacLachlan