Many things happened the year Tomie's family built their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue, in Meriden, Connecticut, including the hurricane of 1938, Tomie's first day of kindergarten, and more. This is the first in a series of chapter books told from Tomie's perspective as a little boy. A 2000 Newbery Honor Book. Illustrations.
A Newbery Honor Book

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. Tomie has many adventures all his own, including eating chocolate with his Nana Upstairs, only to find out--the hard way--that they have eaten chocolate laxative. He tries to skip kindergarten when he finds out he won't learn to read until first grade. I'll be back next year, he says. When Tomie goes to see Snow White, he creates another sensation. Tomie dePaola's childhood memories are hilarious, and his charming illustrations are sure to please.

A thoroughly entertaining and charming story.--School Library Journal

DePaola successfully evokes the voice of a precocious, inquisitive five-year-old everyone would want to befriend. Charming black-and-white illustrations animate the scenes and add a period flare, including a photo album-like assemblage of the characters' portraits at the book's start.--Publishers weekly