This is such a delightful story! I read it aloud to my youngest sister recently, and enjoyed it just as much this time as when I heard Mom read it aloud several years ago. This is the kind of book that is enjoyed by all ages. Tomie’s observations of his childhood are both funny, captivating, and, in general, a beautiful picture of a loving family working together for a common goal. There isn’t much in these stories that’s unusual, but somehow, Tomie manages to bring you into his young world and convey a sense of wholesome, sometimes whimsical musings interspersed with everyday life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and my youngest sister did, too—we finished the story in record time! Highly recommended as a gift; this is a treasure to have on any (young or old!) child’s shelf. ( )

I enjoyed this. Opening with a hurricane. The house on the hill that keeps getting steeper. Kindergarten is a waste of time because you don't get to learn to read yet.

Yes, it's episodic, but that's only natural for memoirs, especially of early childhood.

The wonderful pictures make it short. And it's a delight. But still, I don't know if I want to read more in the series.

Read for Newbery Club in the group Children's Books. ( )

Reads like Tomie is sitting with a group of children, sharing pieces of his childhood. ( )

I'm reading this series along with my 9-year-old son and we loved the first one! Such a charming look into Tomie's childhood. Tomie's writing is wonderful as always and offers today's children a view of childhood in another time. ( )

Tomie's family starts building their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in 1938, just as a hurricane hits town, starting off a busy, crazy year.