Tomie dePaola is among the best-known, best-loved artist/authors creating books for children today. His art and his stories, filled with imagination, humor, elegance, and curiosity, emanate from a love of life reflected in everything he does. Barbara Elleman , a critic in her own right, explores Tomie dePaola as artist and storyteller. The result is a fascinating, complete, and highly readable account that looks first at his life and then at the many genres he has drawn upon--autobiographical memories, folktales, Christmas themes, religious stories, and more. She shows patterns and motifs that thread through his work, points out major influences on his art, and gives a rare look at his fine art and his "non-book" designs. Ms. Elleman's thoughtful narrative and selections of artwork that illustrate Mr. dePaola's diverse styles bring a fresh appreciation to the work of this unique artist/author.