DePaola has illustrated the story in his own lively style with particular attention to the architecture and dress of early renaissance times. There is plenty to talk about as you read through this story with children.

Perhaps we underestimate our children by not telling stories about how people live, struggle and ultimately die. There is something timeless about the ancient tale as told here by DePaola. He gave his final performance to bring a smile to the face of the child Jesus. So ultimately this is a story of joy, despite the sadness of the Clown’s earthly experiences.

But then the miracle occurs – the statue of the child Jesus is smiling and holding one of the Clown’s juggling balls. The death of the clown is sudden and will not be expected by most children. He drops dead after an exciting final performance in front of a statue of Our Lady holding Jesus in her lap. I can imagine that some adults will not approve of how the story ends – the Clown dies. There are not many children’s stories in this day and age that portray the inevitable sadness of ageing. The story takes a sad turn as DePaola describes how the ageing Clown begins to lose his touch and is quickly out of favour. His encounter with two Franciscan monks who congratulate him for doing the work of God by bringing smiles to people’s faces gives the Clown something to think about. I enjoyed the simple tale of a street urchin who learns to juggle and develops his craft so that he entertains royalty and wanders the land, carefree and happy. In this book, The Clown of God, DePaola has captured an ancient tale set in early renaissance times and carefully reproduced it as a children’s picture book. Reviewers of his work speak of DePaola’s care and attention to detail and the authentic beauty of his books. Tomie DePaola has enjoyed a loyal following of readers for decades. Tomi passed away in March, 2020.Originally published in 1978, this picture book is different to most. He still lives in New London, New Hampshire. In 1978 he left teaching to become a full-time author and illustrator. In 1976, he received the Caldecott Honor for Strega Nona (1976). He then became an associate professor, designer, and technical director in the Speech and Theater department at Colby-Sawyer College from 1973 to 1976. He relocated to New England and taught art at Chamberlayne Junior College in Boston from 1972 to 1973. In 1969, he received his Master of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. His first illustrated book, Sound, was published in 1965. He taught art at Newton College of the Sacred Heart from 1962 to 1966, then moved to California where he taught at San Francisco College for Women from 1967 to 1970.

In 1956, he graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After graduating from high school, he attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He became interested in art at an early age.

Thomas Anthony de Paola was born in Meriden, Connecticut.

The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola