The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola

Bibliography
DePaola, Tomie. 1978. The Clown of God. Ill. by Tomie dePaola. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Co. ISBN 0152191755.

Plot Summary
The Clown of God is about Giovanni and his gift of juggling. The story opens when he was a young boy with no mother and father and how he used juggling as a means to eat. Every day Giovanni would juggle fruit and vegetables at Signor Baptista's stand and every day crowds would gather to watch and then purchase items from the stand. As he grew, Giovanni took his show on the road. First with a troupe of traveling players and then on his own. The story comes full circle when Giovanni, old and broke, returns to his hometown of Sorrento and offers his gift one last time.

Critical Analysis
Tomie dePaola is both the storyteller and illustrator of The Clown of God. He took great care in writing this legend by researching the customs of the Renaissance period in which he chose to set it in. The illustrations are a work of art. DePaola again uses great care is reproducing the scenery and clothing of the period.

Wonderful, bright colors are used during Giovanni's youth but changes to more subdued tones during his journey home. Children and adults alike will enjoy this authentic French legend of the little juggler and his miracle.

Reviews
Kirkus: "It's easy to be enticed by de Paola's early, pastel street scenes, and when the miracles comes along his unprepossessing figures and warm familiarity help cut the piety."

Connections
*Use this as an introduction to an art lesson about the Renaissance period.
*Gather other material illustrated by Tomie dePaola and compare the illustrations of them. Discuss dePaola's artistic style.