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Tomie dePaola

 Tomie dePaola dreamed up several worlds: the Calabria setting of the "Strega Nona" books, the nostalgic real-world realms of the "Tommy" stories, the Egyptian palaces of the "Bill and Pete" trilogy, the canine schoolyard that belongs, in part, to the "Barker" twins.


In his spare time, dePaola sketched movie stars, saints, various pets.

DePaola also invented "Helga's Dowry," a feminist adventure, in which a troll can't marry because her dowry won't suffice. The troll--Helga--tells her boyfriend to wait for her, then runs out and scares up her *own* wealth. She trades magic Troll Juice to nearby humans--for gold. She cuts down trees for a wealthy landowner, and she scores a profit.

Meanwhile, Inge, a rival troll, tries to steal Helga's boyfriend. It seems she has succeeded: A marriage date is set.

We think we're reading about Helga's race to *best* Inge....but there's a twist. Helga won't have a husband who couldn't simply wait a few weeks. Newly-rich Helga rejects her mate: "You can stick with Inge." She, Helga, will write her *own* story.

Great character, fanciful setting, talking trees.....What's not to love?



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