Tomie DePaola

Having learned to be creative in drawing pictures at home, young Tommy is dismayed when he goes to school and finds the art lesson there much more regimented.

"Andy is small. Sandy is tall. Andy is quiet. Sandy is loud. When these two opposites attract, best friends play dress up and anything could happen" --

After helping Strega Nona plant her vegetable garden just so, Big Anthony takes some extra seeds and sows another garden willy nilly, then must find a way to deal with the consequences.

"When Andy and Sandy first meet at the playground, they are cautious of one another, but soon find a way to become friends" --

Three wise men of the East, having seen a new star symbolizing the birth of a great king, follow the star to Bethlehem where they present gifts to the newborn Jesus.

When he learns that his mother is going to have a baby, Tommy is very excited and hopes that the baby will be a sister.

Because Befana's household chores kept her from finding the Baby King, she searches to this day, leaving gifts for children on the Feast of the Three Kings.

A rival puts Strega Nona out ot the healing business until Big Anthony's assistance inadvertently sabotages the newcomer in his usual well-meaning way.

While observing the busy world around them, two children and their grandfather take a moment to appreciate being quiet and still.

On the morning of the first Christmas, the colorful birds of Bethlehem gather to talk about the exciting events they have witnessed, from the long line of people approaching the town to the stable where a newborn baby lies.