The Children’s Literature Community Reacts to the Passing of Tomie dePaola

Rest in peace, Tomie dePaola! pic.twitter.com/j9f33PrXYP

— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) March 30, 2020

Tomie dePaola, the children’s author and illustrator who delighted generations with tales of Strega Nona, the kindly and helpful old witch in Italy, has died. He was 85. https://t.co/zyg1am8upB

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 31, 2020

We are gutted. Tomie was joy & love personified. We will remember him for all of our days. We are mourning & crying but his laughter will live in our hearts & our ears. Here is a radio interview I conducted with Tomie:https://t.co/g5fxzxoje2
Sending 3 kisses up to the sky. pic.twitter.com/QvyT9yLg7s

— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) March 30, 2020

when "This It Not My Hat" won the Caldecott, Tomie dePaola, who I'd only met once briefly, sent me a long handwritten letter of congratulations/welcome & talked about the book & it was almost more crazy than winning the damn thing. I'll miss waving at him sheepishly across rooms.

— jon klassen (@burstofbeaden) March 30, 2020

Farewell to one of the greats. ??? https://t.co/SPuIIsMJ9M

— Minh Lê (@bottomshelfbks) March 30, 2020

Thank you for all you have given us. Rest in peace, #TomieDePaola. #ChildrensBooks #Legend pic.twitter.com/IkZiPmkblg

— Lisa Yee is in the house (@LisaYee1) March 30, 2020

My fondest memory of Tomie:

He was witness to my very first book deal at my very first SCBWI conference. (He was a keynote speaker that year) He gave me a hug and congratulated me on the spot and said, "Welcome to the club"

— Dan Santat ? (@dsantat) March 30, 2020

#TomieDePaolo was the embodiment of love & kindness. To everyone. In addition to being a legendary picture book creator. Here is an Easter Egg of Tomie that @MikeCurato illustrated into our next picture book together. There are no words for this profound loss. #RIPTomiedePaola pic.twitter.com/erqxxVtaDR

— Samantha Berger (@BergerBooks) March 30, 2020

My heart is broken, but I have nothing but gratitude for this incredible human being. Rest in Peace Tomie ?? pic.twitter.com/GZqauEmfpE

— Mike Curato (@MikeCurato) March 30, 2020

Godspeed, Tomie dePaola. Thank you. Rest in peace. ?????? pic.twitter.com/N8rjX2nRkw

— Matthew Cordell (@cordellmatthew) March 31, 2020

Just two days ago, at home: “by the end of this thing we’re all gonna be stuffing our faces with pasta like Big Anthony.”

Tomie’s work was ever-present in my life and in the life of my family. Truly a giant. https://t.co/5zF9MHPF8w

— Sean Rubin ? (@SeanCRubin) March 30, 2020

Today we lost the adored children’s book creator Tomie DePaola who passed away from a head injury. Forever joyful, he was a creator of beauty and a beloved friend. RIP you genius imp. pic.twitter.com/v8mC2O56PH

— Lin Oliver (@linoliver) March 30, 2020

One of my many joyous evening with beloved friend Tomie dePaola. He never grew old. Rest in Joy, sweet Tomie. pic.twitter.com/99jT9DHIKh

— Lin Oliver (@linoliver) March 30, 2020

May his spirit be carried into peace by the generations of hearts he filled with joy. ??? https://t.co/JUjhzihilx

— Laurie Halse Anderson (@halseanderson) March 30, 2020

Hard to say goodbye to a legend. Thank you all the warmth, words, and generosity. ? https://t.co/FMzmlt3O7z

— Jess Keating (@Jess_Keating) March 30, 2020

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tomie dePaola: https://t.co/NoEfFBvv3V

In addition to having an amazing body of work, Tomie was such a supporter of up-and-coming children's book illustrators. pic.twitter.com/DIG1w6ZLCT

— Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@inkyelbows) March 30, 2020

Heartbroken to learn of the passing of Tomie dePaola, a kind, sparkling, vibrant soul & a true genius. Honored to have met him a few times. Strega Nona is one of my absolute favorites. Our world has lost one of the greats. RIP Tomie, thank you for the gifts you gave us all. ? pic.twitter.com/tvEUJah2nA

— Joyce Wan (@joycewanbooks) March 30, 2020

Deeply sad to hear of Tomie dePaola's death. He was the first legit kidlit legend I met at a conference — so open and kind. He let me keep his name tag as a souvenir. His book THE ART LESSON is one of my favorite picture books. I will miss him. https://t.co/BaXf97lMhz pic.twitter.com/fs21BJ6pYo

— Jonathan Auxier (@JonathanAuxier) March 30, 2020

So sorry to hear about the loss of Tomie dePaola. He brought so much joy to so many, I wish I’d had a chance to meet him ???????? pic.twitter.com/NfCUQjIQH5

— Evan Turk (@evanturkart) March 30, 2020

RIP Tomie dePaola. He was my hero and a giant in the kidlit world. I just read Strega Nona to my class.
We met. We wrote letters to each other. I found a replacement pen for him that he had lost years ago and sent it to him. He was grateful.

I just sat and cried. Sigh. pic.twitter.com/18nY0I7UIJ

— SteveLight (@SteveLight) March 31, 2020

RIP #TomiedePaola pic.twitter.com/ROVIM1PEtS

— Gina Perry (@ginamarieperry) March 30, 2020

Such a kind and brilliant man. ?? https://t.co/wCwo0opVhk

— Katherine Applegate (@kaaauthor) March 31, 2020

Tomie dePaola was one of the greatest children storytellers whoever lived. https://t.co/CHjre3Yzvn

— (((Judd Winick))) (@JuddWinick) March 31, 2020

A legend has passed and we were lucky to know him. We will miss you Tomie dePaola. pic.twitter.com/LKUUjlu1yI

— Nancy Paulsen (@nancyrosep) March 31, 2020

Of course we did. #RIP and THANK YOU, #TomiedePaola. ??. pic.twitter.com/rG1eLaw7xF

— Ame Dyckman (@AmeDyckman) March 31, 2020

Grateful for Tomie DePaola's rich legacy. So sorry he won't be adding to it. RIP, Tomie.

— Nikki Grimes (@nikkigrimes9) March 31, 2020

Very sad to hear that wonderful Tomie DePaola has passed away. I grew up, as most of us did, reading his books, but then learned so much about bookmaking from studying them in college. He has left so many beautiful stories behind for us to treasure. Thank you, Dear Tomie. RIP?? pic.twitter.com/mX6WMIOx7o

— Lauren Castillo ? (@studiocastillo) March 31, 2020

I am heartbroken over the news that my friend and mentor, legendary children’s book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, passed away this morning. The planet is a much lonelier place tonight without you here, you sweet genius ??????? #TomiedePaola #kidlit #illustration pic.twitter.com/wvlgC7195e

— Stephen Savage (@Savageartist) March 31, 2020

I didn't know Tomie, but he was a big influence on me, and about 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet him.

My grandmother had been a huge fan, and she'd gotten a lot of his books signed for me, in the late seventies and early eighties… pic.twitter.com/UaEvfNwBvS

— Laurel Snyder (@LaurelSnyder) March 31, 2020

A love story shared in memory of Tomie dePaola.

This is a story that Tomie relished in. He often asked me to tell this story at his gatherings. He beamed when I told it. So, I share it with you today.

**thread** pic.twitter.com/b0xLyaiKNt

— Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) March 31, 2020