Four Friends in Autumn

by Tomie dePaola, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Overview

It's a beautiful fall day — perfect for dinner with friends. But will it ever be time to eat?
It's autumn!
The air is cool and crisp, and the leaves have changed to bright golds and reds.
Mistress Pig wants to celebrate her favorite season by cooking a big feast for her friends.
Mister Frog, Missy Cat, and Master Dog can't wait to taste all the delicious food. But why is it taking so long for Mistress Pig to come out of the kitchen?
You'll never believe what happened to dinner!
Join Tomie dePaola's beloved characters as they realize that every meal tastes better when served with a healthy dollop of friendship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689859809
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	09/01/2004
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators of our time and the recipient of the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery Honor winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books for Simon & Schuster, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona, as well as Oliver Button Is a Sissy, Charlie Needs a Cloak, Michael Bird-Boy, and Andy, That’s My Name. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire. Visit him online at Tomie.com and TomiesBlog.Blogspot.com.

Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators of our time and the recipient of the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery Honor winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books for Simon & Schuster, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona, as well as Oliver Button Is a Sissy, Charlie Needs a Cloak, Michael Bird-Boy, and Andy, That’s My Name. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire. Visit him online at Tomie.com and TomiesBlog.Blogspot.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

Originally published as part of Four Stories for Four Seasons (1977), Four Friends in Autumn by Tomie dePaola follows Mistress Pig as she invites her friends, Mister Frog, Missy Cat and Master Dog, over for a fancy dinner to celebrate the lovely fall weather. But will her victuals actually make it to the table? Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

This author has written more than 200 books and has won many prestigious awards for his children's literature. This wonderful story was originally published in 1977 as a chapter entitled "Autumn" in Four Stories for Four Seasons. It is a delightful story of four friends who join Mistress Pig for a dinner party. When her guests arrive, they begin the adventure sitting on the porch enjoying the beautiful fall colors. Mistress Pig has cooked a delicious meal to share with her friends, but a little surprise shows up on the menu. DePaola masterfully illustrates this beautiful book. The expressions and fall colors make the story irresistible. Like the wonders of fall and the warmth of friendship, DePaola's story and illustrations warm the heart. This book would be a wonderful addition to any library. It is recommended for children three to six, but kids of all ages will enjoy this beautiful story. 2004 (orig. 1977), Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 3 to 6.
—Gilda R. Daniels

Children's Literature

PreS-Gr 2-Reissued from the collection Four Stories for Four Seasons (S & S, 1980), this vignette deals with a winsome animal foursome. Seasonal details provide a backdrop for the narrative, which concerns Mistress Pig's dinner party. After encouraging her guests to enjoy the simple delights of fall, their hostess excuses herself to put the finishing touches on the meal. Missy Cat, Master Dog, and Mister Frog wait patiently at the table until an inordinate amount of time has passed. Hungry and concerned, they venture into the kitchen to see what might be amiss. It seems that Mistress Pig took her "finishing touches" rather too literally and in the course of taste testing the dishes, gobbled up the entire repast. Gracious and true friends even in the face of adversity, they console their distraught if sated hostess. Master Dog suggests they go to a restaurant where Mistress Pig begins her dinner with dessert. Signature dePaola illustrations, featuring cartoon characters with expressive faces, highlight this simple yet very funny story. Borders made from acorns and brown and gold leaves evoke the season.-Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal