Tomie dePaola (1934â2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the childrenâs classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Childrenâs Literature Legacy Award for âsignificant and lasting contribution to childrenâs literature.â 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.