Tomie dePaola (born September 15, 1934) is an American author and illustrator of children’s books. He is best known for his books about Strega Nona, a kindly old Italian witch. He has written and/or illustrated over 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, which won the Newbery Honor in 2001.
Early Life
Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, to a large Italian-American family. His father was a barber and his mother was a homemaker. He was the youngest of four children. He was inspired to become an artist at a young age, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
Career
Tomie dePaola began his career as an illustrator in the 1960s. He worked for a variety of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times and The Saturday Evening Post. He also illustrated books for other authors, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.
In 1974, he published his first book, The Wonderful Dragon of Timlin. This was followed by the popular Strega Nona series, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. He has also written and illustrated many other books, including The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, The Clown of God, and The Legend of the Bluebonnet.
Death
Tomie dePaola passed away on March 30, 2020, at the age of 85. He had been hospitalized for several weeks due to complications from a fall.
Age, Height, Net Worth
Tomie dePaola was 85 years old at the time of his death. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall. His net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
