Tom

By Tomie dePaola

Book Overview

Once again Tomie dePaola draws upon his childhood, this time telling about his Irish grandfather, who says to him, "We're named after each other, Tommy. That's why I want you to call me Tom, instead of Grandpa". They share lots of silly times, which dePaola recounts in this charming book. Full color.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399224173
• ISBN13: 9780399224171
• Release Date: February 1993
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.4" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

I Love Tomie's Sense of Humor -- Some Don't Get IT :)

Tomie dePaola is a pure genius when it comes to the art of storytelling! I recommended this book to a friend after he related a couple of stories that illustrated his own father had a sense of humor similar to TOM's! I read the negative reviews and had to comment about this one. My kindergarten students LOVE this story! Do I explain to them about "General Stores" and "butchers" and lots of other words, sometimes, another child explains or clarifies for the class. Many have never heard words before that come up in this and many other stories we read together. The children don't find this story over-the-top. I explain that many small towns used to have only a General Store, these were owned by families--parents, grandparents and children worked at the stores. I tell them that my husband's grandparents owned a General Store and have brought in pictures of it to share with them! Some people here get bent about the chicken killing, sheeeeeeeeeesh, but as I explain to children, it was part of a butcher's life. And we still have "butchers" today that work at all the big-chain grocery stores. (Oh, adults: chicken are STILL killed nowadays for you to eat! And the life of a chicken today is far worse--so if you admit that you eat chicken, now you will have to deal with that guilt. LOL) Tomie had a great Grandpa, and yes, he was a chicken killer. He also smoked a pipe--both politically incorrect nowadays, I guess.

An endearing family story

My three-year-old and I love this book. Tommy shares an affectionate, somewhat silly relationship with his grandfather Tom. The grandfather's love of the boy is obvious in the nutty games he plays with chicken parts. Just a little naughty, which of course appeals to a child. I was a teacher and have read many children's books. There is something dear and wonderful about all Tomie dePaola's books and this is one of our favorites.

Perfect Gift for a Grandparent

What a wonderful way for your child to connect with his or her grandparent. A great opener for conversations and stories and a little history as well. A humorous look at what life was like for Tommy and his grandfather Tom in the the late 1930's.

Relationships

Tom is a beautiful tale about a boy's special relationship with his grandfather. This autobiographical story about dePaola's childhood is touching and entertaining. It is a reminder that the special moments in our lives are the little things that are happening everyday. Tom and his grandfather work together, talk together, and even get into a little mischief. I used this book in my kindergarten classroom when discussing biographies. The children loved the story because they could relate to it and could tell a similar tale of their own about someone special to them.