“ In a town in Calabria, a long time ago, there lived an old lady everyone called Strega Nona, which meant Grandma Witch. Tomie dePaola
“ A picture book is a small door to the enormous world of the visual arts, and they're often the first art a young person sees. Tomie dePaola
“ Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything. Tomie dePaola
“ The rose is red, the violet's blue,The honey's sweet, and so are you.Thou art my love and I am thine;I drew thee to my Valentine.The lot was cast and then I drew,And fortune said it should be you. Tomie dePaola
