Summary and Reviews of 26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola

Media Reviews

School Library Journal Filled with subtle humor and detail that children will appreciate, the narrative is crisp and casual, making it an ideal read-aloud. Black-and-white drawings portray family members, many of whom are already familiar from earlier picture books. A thoroughly entertaining and charming story.

Publishers Weekly Charming black-and-white illustrations animate the scenes and add a period flare, including a photo album-like assemblage of the characters' portraits at the book's start. Readers will also appreciate a glimpse of the artist's early debut as he draws life-size images of his family on the plasterboard walls in his new house. DePaola seems as at home in this format as he did when he first crossed the threshold of 26 Fairmount Avenue, an address readers will eagerly revisit in the series' subsequent tales. Ages 7-11.

Kirkus Reviews The legions of fans who over the years have enjoyed dePaola's autobiographical picture books will welcome this longer gathering of reminiscences.

 Patricia MacLachlan 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 Reilly Giff 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.

 Paula Danziger 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!