A former art and theater teacher, Mr. dePaola published more than 200 picture, pop-up and chapter books in his five-decade career. His most famous picture book, “Strega Nona” (1975), was based off a Brothers Grimm story about a magical vessel capable of cooking a limitless amount of porridge. ADIt was drawn directly from memory, Mr. dePaola told the Boston Globe. Through a classmate, he discovered the paintings of Matisse, whose simple forms Mr. dePaola said he strove to emulate. In one of the books, “Strega Nona’s Magic Lessons” (1982), Mr. dePaola seemed to reflect on the nature of his vocation.

Source: Washington Post March 30, 2020 23:21 UTC