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Tomie dePaola's charming, funny-because-it's-true childhood memoir continues with its third installment in the series that began with his Newbery Honor Book 26 Fairmount Avenue. And what a year 1940 has been--and continues to be! After surviving the arrival of his baby sister, Maureen, in Here We All Are, Tomie celebrates his sixth birthday, starts first grade (although Miss Kiniry still ins... More

Tomie dePaola's charming, funny-because-it's-true childhood memoir continues with its third installment in the series that began with his Newbery Honor Book 26 Fairmount Avenue. And what a year 1940 has been--and continues to be! After surviving the arrival of his baby sister, Maureen, in Here We All Are, Tomie celebrates his sixth birthday, starts first grade (although Miss Kiniry still insists that his name be spelled "Tommy," even on his birthday cake), and eagerly awaits the kid-holiday Triple Crown of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Author and illustrator dePaola just might be perfecting the form here, crafting a series that's worth reading for so very many reasons. His matter-of-fact period details follow kid sensibilities to the letter, with many references to radio shows and movies ("I sure liked Mr. Walt Disney's movies") but scant attention paid to more grownup topics (the most noteworthy thing that Roosevelt did in late 1940, apparently, was move Thanksgiving back a week so people would have more time to buy Christmas presents).

DePaola's most commendable quality, though, is his unerring ear and untainted memory, which (while always funny) isn't always flattering to this willful little guy. Yes, what a year indeed. And with the closing line--"I wonder what 1941 will be like?"--we can be sure that Tomie has many more eventful years to come. (Ages 7 to 10) --Paul Hughes

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