Bonjour, Mr. Satie - Softcover

From Wikipedia: Thomas Anthony "Tomie A." dePaola (born September 15, 1934), is an American author and illustrator of over 200 children's books, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona and Newbery Honor book 26 Fairmount Avenue.[1][2] DePaola was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011.[3] ~~~ DePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut to a family of Irish and Italian heritage. He had one brother, Joseph (nicknamed Buddy), and two sisters, Judie and Maureen. Maureen is not only Tomie's sister but also his best friend ever. His book The Baby Sister is about Maureen being born. DePaola was attracted to art at an early age and credits his family with encouraging his development as an artist and influencing the themes of his works.[4] ~~~ After high school, dePaola attended art school at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. DePaola graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.[4] ~~~ DePaola taught art at Newton College of the Sacred Heart from 1962 to 1966, then moved to California where he taught at San Francisco College for Women from 1967 to 1970. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland in 1969, as well as a doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco. DePaola relocated to New England in the 1970s, teaching art at Chamberlayne Junior College in Boston from 1972 to 1973. From 1973 to 1976 he worked at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, as an associate professor, designer, and technical director in the speech and theater department and as writer and set and costume designer for the Children's Theatre Project. He taught art at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire, from 1976 to 1978. DePaola retired from full-time teaching in 1978 to devote his time to writing and illustrating books.[4] ~~~ His first illustrated book was the 1965 science book, Sound. On May 18, 2009, Pratt Institute honored him with an honorary doctorate.