On My Way (26 Fairmount Avenue)

A 5-year-old Tomie worries over the health of his baby sister, learns to read in one weekend (with a pilfered schoolbook), and helps his father pave the new driveway (to a too-fine polish!). In the spirit of his earlier memoirs, the Newbery Honor-winning 26 Fairmount Avenue and Here We All Are, author Tomie dePaola recounts the (mostly) serene days between the end of kindergarten and the beginning of first grade. DePaola's warm, humorous style appeals to readers of all ages. His recall of a boyhood summer is vivid enough to touch youngsters who may be experiencing similar thrills and spills and to bring back memories for those whose kindergarten days are long past. From the 1939 World's Fair to a neighborhood "Tiny Tot Wedding," in which the budding thespian Tomie plays the part of the bride, each episode glows with boyish bliss. DePaola's folksy black-and-white drawings and silhouettes capture the details of life at 26 Fairmount Avenue with charm and wit. A wonderful read-aloud. (Ages 7 to 11) --Emilie Coulter