Children's writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola explains that he can't accept all the invitations he gets to visit children at school, so this tape is his way of inviting people to visit him instead. Like his watercolors, A Visit is artfully artless. He shows us his house, collection of heart knickknacks, studios, and dogs. Viewers will see him do a quick painting of Strega Nona and hear how she came into being during a boring faculty meeting, as well as learn a little bit about his family and the inspiration for Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs. He also makes a point of showing his "fine art" paintings, i.e. those not intended for the children's book trade. While this tape is apparently intended for the school/children's video market, it actually might be more appropriate for adults. DePaola tends to forget to explain things that those in the wonder years want to know...what's "gesso," and why does he have to put it on a canvas before painting? Why do the finished watercolors need to be stored in "acid-free paper," and so on. Adults have the wider background to appreciate children's illustrations as art, and this tape might well be classed in collections for adults in a public library. Recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (R. Reagan)
A Visit with Tomie dePaola
(1996) 25 min. $39.95. Whitebird, Inc. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 12, Issue 4
A Visit with Tomie dePaola
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