The news of Tomie dePaola’s passing earlier this week was especially hard to process as I realized that yet another giant of children's literature has been lost. Who amongst us will ever forget Big Anthony and the disaster that ensues when he loses control of the magic pasta pot in Strega Nona? I always like asking kids what kind of magic pot they would wish for. Pasta is great, but I think that an endless supply of chocolate pudding would be wonderful. I cannot help but wonder if dePaola would have picked popcorn for his own pot since it was his favorite food.

I cannot remember dePaola's books from my own childhood, but I have recommended his books hundreds of times over the last twenty years. Although he is best known for Strega Nona, dePaola actually created more than 260 books for children. Not a summer goes by without seeing multiple dePaola titles on various summer reading lists. As a librarian, I don't know what I would have done if I had not had 26 Fairmount Avenue and dePaola's other autobiographical titles to give young students. So few autobiographies are written for kids so dePaola's books were true gems with their blend of his trademark artwork and childhood memories.

Here is a short booklist for families to enjoy whether they are sharing his titles for the first time or rediscovering old favorites.

26 Fairmount Avenue

Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story

The Art Lesson

Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs

Quiet

Strega Nona: An Original Tale

Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose

When Andy Met Sandy

Looking to check out a dePaola e-book or audiobook with your library card? Find them here. Don't forget to "return" your e-books when you're done—the sooner you return them, the sooner someone else can use them.

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Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!