Tomie DePaola
Writing
Biography
Thomas Anthony "Tomie" dePaola was an American writer and illustrator who created more than 260 children's books. He received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lifetime contribution to American children's literature in 2011.
Known For
The show featured children's book author Tomie dePaola and his Muppet friend Gabe the squirrel, encouraging children to make their own stories in a variety of media. In each episode, Tomie told a story featuring his storybook characters Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambolona. Gabe visited The Animal Band, a group of woodland creatures, including a rabbit on drums, a weasel on guitar, a penguin on bass, and a raccoon on keytar. Each episode also featured a visit with a guest storyteller or two (often people connected to the Jim Henson Company). The final segment of each episode included a child actor playing Tomie enacting stories from his book "26 Fairmount Avenue."
Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola
Big Anthony, left alone with Strega Nona's magic pasta pot, runs into trouble when he decides to show the townspeople how it works.
Strega Nona
based on the book by Tomie dePaola
The Clown of God
A shepherd named Charlie need a new cloak, so he shears a sheep and makes one from it's wool.