Tomie dePaola's Big Book of Favorite Legends

by Tomie dePaola

Collects four folktales about flowers and Christmas traditions from Texas, Mexico, and Italy.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Folk Tales

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

This omnibus edition of tales combines The Legend of the Bluebonnet, The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, The Legend of the Poinsettia, and Tony's Bread (the legend of panettone). Tony's Bread doesn't quite fit with the rest, since it's set in Italy and the other legends occur in the Americas. The Legend of the Poinsettia is the only Christmas legend.

With The Legend of the Bluebonnet in particular, dePaola strove to represent the Nʉmʉnʉʉ (Comanche) religion faithfully, acknowledging that they worship many spirits, rather than one god or Great Spirit. It doesn't appear that he was able to do much firsthand research or discuss the story with the people from whom it comes. However, the respect dePaola has for the story and its tellers is evident, and the legend is beautifully illustrated with the same gentle feeling as all his other books.

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush is a natural companion to The Legend of the Bluebonnet. It's clearer that dePaola did firsthand research, particularly regarding material culture, and it comes across in more detailed and less landscaped illustrations.

The Legend of the Poinsettia really fits better with dePaola's Catholic picture books, in my opinion, but since it concerns the legend of a plant it does flow with the first two legends. dePaola illustrates Mexico with almost the same amount of joy as he does Italy--but nothing can rival his love for his family's native country. I remember being touched by Lucida's earnest devotion as a child, and thinking about the story when I saw poinsettias in church at Christmas.

Tony's Bread is more humorous and whimsical, like the Strega Nona books, with dePaola's charming illustrations of Italian townsfolk. I can't help but laugh at the way he draws hair and hats. I get the point of this collection, but I still don't think Tony's Bread fits well. It's a cute story, but without the gravitas of the first three. Yet, as a picture book omnibus, the collection as a whole matters less than its individual parts, which will likely be read separately.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomie DePaola has been around so long I have taken his books and his art for granted and rarely recommend his books to patrons or use them for programs. This book which is a reprinting of 4 stories that were previously published. Most young children are not interested in books of legends and folktales that are long winded, with few illustrations or over-embellished illustrations. DePaola's stories are simple and straightforward without losing the essence or message of the story. The rich and vibrant colorful illustrations appear three dimensional and are representative of the legend's culture. The best thing about three of the legends is that the children who seem the least powerful or wise are the ones who's simple generous spirits bring blessings and gifts to their people. I'm glad I took a new look at Tomie DePaola's work.

[Libby Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of Tomie dePaola’s renditions of different cultural legends.

Included “The Legend of the Bluebonnet”, “The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush”, “The Legend of the Poinsettia”, and “Tony’s Bread”.

Highly recommended as a staple home library item for some diversity.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a fair amount of cultural appropriation in these four tales. Nevertheless they are told and illustrated with much charm.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

We finished this last night and since it has four stories included it wook us two nights, two stories a night. My favorite was the last, Tony's Bread. Julia couldn't pick a favorite but I could tell she didn't love or hate any of them, she simple enjoyed them.
This is the first we've read by dePaola and it's clear from the little I've seen on-line that he's a well-loved author. I don't think I'm going to actively seek out more of his books but at the same time if I came across something that seemed interesting I wouldn't pass over it.
I liked that he included, at the end of each story, how he learned of said legend, what liberities he took, etc. I do have to mention that those pieces are a little long-winded. I paraphrased so Julia wouldn't lose interest.
At first glance the stories seem to be a little on the longer side and not for young toddlers and while I don't think a young toddler could appreciate these the stories aren't as long as I had thought when I flipped through.
The Legend of the Bluebonnet was a good one too - that's a fav too.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tomie dePaola!!! This book has four of his previously published stories within the same binding: The Legend of the Bluebonnet (An Old Tale of Texas), The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush (An Old Tale of Wyoming), The Legend of the Poinsettia (An Old Tale of Mexico), and Tony's Bread (An Old Tale of Italy). They were all beautifully told. I loved the sacrifice of the little Comanche girl in the Bluebonnet legend. I loved the encouraging message of the Indian Paintbrush story, to be yourself, fully and joyfully, even if you are different from the others. The story of the Poinsettia brought me to tears, as the oldest daughter so desperately wanted her mother to get better, and to help her mother, and to give a gift to the baby Jesus. The last story, however, Tony's Bread, was my favorite! The story of pannettone and of love and invention! Great stories to read aloud!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written and illustrated collection of Legends of various state flowers. How they came to be the state flower and how the specific flower came so pretty. Then after each story there is a page where Mr DePaola writes where he heard about the story and how it came to be he wrote and drew about it. Beautiful stories especially for Christmas. (They aren't all Christmas stories but a few are and they are beautiful.)

[Mary Jo Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I'm from Texas, the legends of the bluebonnet (our state flower), the paintbrush (a very common wildflower there), and the poinsettia (also grows wild there) are quite appealing to me. I love dePaola's distinctive illustrations, too. I was thrilled to see the legend explaining the origin of the Italian holiday bread, pannetone. Fun!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rory particularly loved the first 2 stories: The Legend of the Bluebonnet and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. We are looking forward to getting more of Tom DePaola's folklore books.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains 4 tales - 1 each from Texas, Wyoming, Mexico and Italy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored the Bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush stories but disliked the other two.