Four Friends at Christmas

by Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Overview

Mister Frog has slept through Christmas every year, and every year he has listened to his three friends talk about how wonderful it is.

"Oh, Froggy, you would love it! Turkey, plum pudding, candy canes, lots of good things to eat," says Mistress Pig.
"Candles, angels, and Christmas trees," says Missy Cat.
"Yule logs, Christmas carols, and Santa Claus," adds Master Dog.

And this year, Mister Frog is determined not to miss it — but oh, if he could just take one small nap....

Join world-renowned children's author and illustrator Tomie dePaola as he celebrates the joyful mystery that is Christmas with Mister Frog, Missy Cat, Master Dog, and Mistress Pig. Infused with comradely warmth and colorfully irresistible pictures, Four Friends at Christmas, is a Christmas present just waiting to be opened.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689852824
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	10/01/2002
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

Hometown:

Connecticut and New Hampshire

Date of Birth:

September 15, 1935

Place of Birth:

Meriden, CT

Website:

http://www.tomie.com/main.html

Editorial Reviews

Mister Frog, Missy Cat, Master Dog and Mistress Pig star in Tomie dePaola's Four Friends at Christmas, adapted from dePaola's 1977 Four Stories for Four Seasons.

Publishers Weekly

The indefatigable dePaola (Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story, p. 1307, etc.) offers a holiday story adapted from a chapter of his 1977 Four Stories for Four Seasons. In this version, Mister Frog wishes to celebrate Christmas for the first time, doing everything just right. (In past winters he has always been hibernating and has missed all the fun as described by his friends Mistress Pig, Missy Cat, and Master Dog.) Mister Frog can’t resist a nap, however, and awakens on Christmas Eve just in time for some holiday help from his friends. Each one arrives dressed as Santa and carrying a decorated tree for Mister Frog. Younger preschoolers will enjoy solving the little mystery of the multiple Santas, with small portraits of each animal friend above and below the text as helpful clues along with the details of their respective Christmas trees (bone ornaments for Master Dog and vegetable decorations for Mistress Pig). The four friends fall asleep together on the last wordless page, with the more traditional Santa shown arriving in the background next to the fireplace. DePaola uses his appealing animal characters to advantage as usual, dressed this time with Victorian costumes. Mister Frog is a particularly sympathetic sort, with a sporty fez and expressive eyes drooping shut as he tries to resist settling down for a long winter’s nap. Thank goodness for friends--and Tomie dePaola. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews