Tallarico, Tony 1933-

views updated

Tallarico, Tony 1933-

PERSONAL:

Born September 20, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY; son of Antonio (a tailor) and Rose Tallarico; married Elvira Gamiello (a writer), October 4, 1959; children: Nina Tallarico Reyes, Anthony J., Jr. Ethnicity: "Italian/American." Education: Attended Brooklyn Museum Art School, School of Visual Arts, and Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. Politics: Independent. Religion: Roman Catholic.

ADDRESSES:

Home and office—Valley Stream, NY.

CAREER:

Freelance illustrator and author. Exhibitions: Artwork displayed in permanent collections, including International Museum of Cartoon Art, Boca Raton, FL, National Cartoon Museum, New York, NY, Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, Austin, TX, and Valley Stream Historical Society; artwork included in "The Art of the Baseball Card," a traveling exhibit benefiting the Special Olympics.

MEMBER:

Graphic Artists Guild, National Cartoonists Society.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Ciation as "best book for reluctant non-readers," American Library Association, for Drawing and Cartooning Monsters; Pioneer Award for lifetime achievement, College of Arts and Sciences, Temple University, 2005.

WRITINGS:

AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Maco Toys (comic book catalog), Maco Toys, 1959.

Hats, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1967.

Drugs … Where It's At!, Fitzgerald Publishing (Colorado Springs, CO), 1970.

David Cassidy, Saalfield Publishing (Akron, OH), 1971.

"Geronimo Jones" (series), Charlton Publications (Derby, CT), 1972.

Partrige Family, Saalfield Publishing (Akron, OH), 1973.

Donny Osmond, Saalfield Publishing (Akron, OH), 1973.

Great Posters, Saalfield Publishing (Akron, OH), 1974.

Run, Baby, Run (adaptation), Logos (Colorado Springs, CO), 1974.

Prison to Praise (adaptation), Logos (Colorado Springs, CO), 1974.

"Quasimodo's Monster Magazine" (series), Mayfair (Colorado Springs, CO), 1974.

Grosset Word Find Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1975.

Mini Poster Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1975.

Guide to Drawing Cartoons, Putnam (New York, NY), 1975.

The Shark, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1975.

Dangerous Fish, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1975.

Giant Apes Joke Book, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1976.

Let's Draw Comics, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1976.

Fonzie, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1976.

"Bionic Woman" (series), Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1976.

1776, Charlton Publications (Derby, CT), 1976.

Lobo (comic book), Dell Publishing (New York, NY), 1976.

"Electric Company," (series), Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1977.

Giant Apes Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

Spring Activity Books, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

Nancy Drew Mystery Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

Hardy Boys Adventure Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

Metric Man Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

The Great Big Busy Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

The Bobbsey Twins Detective Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Santa Claus Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Star Jokes, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Battlestar Galactica, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1978.

Close Encounters, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1978.

Tom Swift, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1978.

"Trash" (series), Goodman Publishing, 1978.

"Crazy Labels" (sticker series), Fleer (Colorado Springs, CO), 1979.

Na-No, Na-No, the Mork & Mindy Book of Games, Puzzles, and Coloring by Number, Putnam (New York, NY), 1979.

The Mork and Mindy Super Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1979.

Wacky Sports, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1980.

Wacky Classics, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1980.

Super* Jokes, Putnam (New York, NY), 1980.

Skitter Bugs, Putnam (New York, NY), 1980.

Trucks and Cars, Putnam (New York, NY), 1980.

All through the Year, Putnam (New York, NY), 1980.

Colors All Around, Putnam (New York, NY), 1980.

I Can Draw Animals: Draw a Zooful of Animals in Easy-to-Follow Steps, Wanderer Books (New York, NY), 1980.

I Can Draw Monsters: Draw Madcap Monsters in Easy-to-Follow Steps, Wanderer Books (New York, NY), 1980.

I Can Draw Cars, Trucks, Trains, and Other Wheels, Wanderer Books (New York, NY), 1981.

Christmas Crack-ups, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1981.

Atlanta Braves Activity Book, Oddo Publishing (Fayetteville, GA), 1981.

The Alphabet Flip Book Game, Putnam (New York, NY), 1981.

Spooky Haunted House Puzzles, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1981.

Search a Picture Puzzles, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1981.

Mr. Merlin's Puzzle and Game Book, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1981.

Gobble, Putnam (New York, NY), 1981.

Look Up at the Sky, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Gobble, Gobble, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Seasons, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Rocket Attack, Tuffy, 1982.

Numbers, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Colors, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Animals, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

Monster Hunt, Tuffy, 1982.

The Giant I Can Draw Everything, Wanderer Books (New York, NY), 1982.

Let's Take a Trip, Putnam (New York, NY), 1982.

At Home, Putnam (New York, NY), 1983.

Who Am I?, Putnam (New York, NY), 1983.

What's Opposite?, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

Time To …, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

How Many?, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

Finger Counting, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

The Numbers Flip Book Game, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

"Voltron" (series), Modern Publishing Co. (New York, NY), 1984.

Tool Box, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Shapes, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

School Bag, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Lunch Box, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

I Love My Family, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Happy Birthday, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Doctor's Bag, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

The Magic Words Are … Thank You, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

The Magic Word Is … Sorry, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

The Magic Word Is … Please, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

The Magic Words Are … May I?, Putnam (New York, NY), 1985.

Simple Objects, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

Show and Tell Me, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

Easy Objects, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

Counting, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

Colors, Putnam (New York, NY), 1986.

Statue of Liberty, Play Value Books (Colorado Springs, CO), 1986.

Winnie the Pooh, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Stencil Book of Objects, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Stencil Book of Numbers, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Stencil Book of Fairy Tales, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Stencil Book of Dinosaurs, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Stencil Book of Christmas, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Sleeping Beauty, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Sinbad the Sailor, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Pied Piper of Hamlin, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Mickey Mouse, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Goofy, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Donald Duck, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Alphabet Stencil Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Animal Stencil Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Alphabet, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

"Supergirl" (series), Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1987.

"Superman" (series), Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1987.

Here We Go, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

A B C, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Time Machine, Tuffy, 1988.

Fun with Food (Fischer-Price series), Marvel (New York, NY), 1988.

Things You Always Wanted to Know about Monsters, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1988.

A Tale of Peter Rabbit, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Peter Rabbit's Family, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Peter Rabbit's Big Adventure, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Opposites, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Nursery Rhymes, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Mickey Mouse Clock Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Meet Peter Rabbit, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Goofy Shoelace Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Dinosaurs, Putnam (New York, NY), 1988.

Look for Lisa, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Search for Sam, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

I Can Draw Spaceships Aliens, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1989.

I Can Draw Pets, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1989.

Find Freddie, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Spell-a-Word, Block Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1989.

Drawing Things with Wings, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Drawing Cartoons, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Drawing Dogs and Cats, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Drawing Funny Faces, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Drawing Monsters, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

Drawing Whales and Dolphins, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1989.

I Can Draw Sports, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

I Can Draw Christmas, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

The Little Engine that Could, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Fire Engines, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Animals, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Alphabet, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Disney's Five Board Games to Go, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Snowboy and Snowgirl, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Rainy Day, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Pets, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Let's Play, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Let's Count, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Haunted House, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Happy Time, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Going Places, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Dot to Dot, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls, Putnam (New York, NY), 1990.

Tuffy Tiny Books, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

Preschool Can You Find Picture Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

My First All about Dogs Jigsaw Puzzle Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

My First All about Cats Jigsaw Puzzle Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

My First All about Dinosaurs Jigsaw Puzzle Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

My First All about Circus Jigsaw Puzzle Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

More Preschool Can You Find Picture Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

Where's the Bunny?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Search for Santa's Helpers, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Five Wacky Games to Go, Putnam (New York, NY), 1991.

In the Haunted House, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Hector's Picture Puzzle Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Hunt for Hector, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

At School, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

At the Amusement Park, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

At the Movies, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Freddie's Picture Puzzle Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Find Freddie and Lisa in the Haunted House, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Lisa's Picture Puzzle Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Sam's Picture Puzzle Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Twelve Days of Christmas, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Search for Sylvester, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Where's Columbus?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Where's Cupid?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Where's Wendy?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Santa's Super Surprises, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Look for Lisa: Time Traveler, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Monster Madness, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Find Frankie and His Monster Friends, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Find Freddie around the World, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Drawing and Cartooning Monsters: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Aspiring Monster-Maker, Perigee (New York, NY), 1992.

Creepy Castle, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Bunny Honey's Springtime Search, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

I Didn't Know That about Famous People and Places, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

I Didn't Know That about How Things Work, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

I Can Draw Halloween, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1992.

What's In, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

I Didn't Know That about Sports, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Where Are They?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

I Didn't Know that about Strange but True Mysteries, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

Four Books in One (contains Find Freddie, Hunt for Hector, Look for Lisa, and Search for Sam), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1992.

What Can You Find, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

Sounds, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

Preschool Can You Find Counting Picture Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

Preschool Can You Find ABC Picture Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

Search for Santa, Smithmark, 1992.

"Crash Dummies" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY) 1992.

"Home Alone" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1992.

About Strange but True Mysteries; How Things Work; Sports; Famous People and Places: Four Books in One, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1993.

Four Books in One (contains Detect Donald, Find Frankie, Look for Laura, and Search for Susie), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1993.

Drawing and Cartooning Dinosaurs: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Aspiring Prehistoric Artist, Putnam (New York, NY), 1993.

Drawing and Cartooning Myths, Magic, and Legends: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Aspiring Myth-Maker, Berkley Publishing Group (New York, NY), 1994.

How to Draw Bible Pictures, Concordia Publishing (St. Louis, MO), 1994.

Drawing and Cartooning Comics, Berkley Publishing Group (New York, NY), 1995.

Drawing and Cartooning Sci Fi, Berkley Publishing Group (New York, NY), 1996.

I Can Draw Star Trek, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.

Halloween Search and Find, Troll Communications (Mahwah, NJ), 1996.

The Kids' Fun-Filled Search and Find Fascinating Fact Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1997.

"Wishbone" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1997.

Drawing and Cartooning All-Star Sports: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Aspiring Sports Artist, Berkley Publishing Group (New York, NY), 1998.

A-maze-ing United States, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1998.

A-maze-ing Canada, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1998.

Celebrity Sketchbook, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1998.

I Can Draw the Bible: Old Testament, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1998.

I Can Draw Planes and Ships, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1998.

Wrestling Sketchbook, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Creepy Creatures, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Haunted House, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Fun with Santa, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Over 1,000 Things to Find (Blue), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Over 1,000 Things to Find (Red), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Over 1,000 Things to Find (Yellow), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Over 1,000 Things to Find (Purple), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Over 1,000 Things to Find (Green), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Detect Donald, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Find Frankie, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Look for Laura, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Search for Susie, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Kids' Fun-Filled Question and Answer Book (Black), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Kids' Fun-Filled Question and Answer Book (Red), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Where Are They? Christmas Fun, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2000.

The Big Book of Search and Fins, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2002.

Children's Bible Q & A, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2002.

The Big Book of Questions and Answers, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2002.

The Big Book of Look and Look Again, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2003.

The Big Book of Knowledge from A to Z, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2003.

Search and Find: Red Cover, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Search and Find: Blue Cover, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Search and Find: Yellow Cover, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Search and Find: Green Cover, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

"Search and Find Biographies" (series), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), beginning 2007.

"Search and Find Classic Books" (series), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), beginning 2007.

Creator of the Sunday comic "Zap! the Video Chap," distributed by McNaught Syndicate, 1984.

Tallarico's works have been translated into many foreign languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese.

WITH SON, TONY TALLARICO, JR.

Black Beauty Story Activity Book, Aerie Publishing (New York, NY), 1986.

War of the Worlds Story Activity Book, Aerie Publishing (New York, NY), 1987.

All the Presidents, Aerie Publishing (New York, NY), 1987.

"Karate Kid" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1989.

Citco Auto Race Track, Don Jagoda Associates (New York, NY), 1992.

Citco Great Outdoors, Don Jagoda Associates (New York, NY), 1992.

Citco Amusement Park, Don Jagoda Associates (New York, NY), 1992.

"Trailblazers" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1994.

"Power Rangers" (series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1994.

(Creators) Tracy Christopher, The Kids' Fun-filled Dictionary, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1994.

The Back Seat Fun Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1994.

Cars, Planes, Trains Fun Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1994.

Funtastic Franksters, Don Jagoda Associates (New York, NY), 1995.

American Airlines Flight into Fun, Diverse Promotions (New York, NY), 1995.

"Awesome Activities" (series), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1996.

The Magic Forest Tattoo Book, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.

Monsterous Day Tattoo Book, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.

"Look and Sing" (music and book series), Modern Publishing (New York, NY), 1996.

"Christmas Fun for Kids" Globe, 1997.

"Funtastic Puzzles" (series), Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1998.

Kids' Twentieth-Century Question and Answer Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Kids' Fun-Filled Dictionary, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1999.

Kids' Fun-Filled Encyclopedia, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1999.

"Mini-Mag" (series), American Media Digest, 2000.

A-maze-ing Cool cars, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2002.

A-maze-ing Dinosaurs, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2002.

Ultimate Hidden Pictures: Dinosaurs, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 2003.

Ultimate Hidden Pictures: Halloween, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 2003.

Ultimate Hidden Pictures: Under the Sea, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 2003.

Ultimate Hidden Pictures: Across America, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 2003.

License Plates across the States, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 2005.

Big Blue Activity Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Big Red Activity Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Big Yellow Activity Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Big Christmas Activity Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2005.

Search and Find Book of the Bible, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2006.

Bible Activity Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2006.

A Visit from St. Nicholas/Search and Find, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2006.

Answer Maze, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 2006.

A-maze-in Trivia, Dover (Mineola, NY), 2006.

Color and Find—Find and Color, Dover (Mineola, NY), 2007.

"Classic Story Activity Books" (series), Dover (Mineola, NY), beginning 2007.

Also creators of Spot-a-Pix newspaper feature, published by Tribune Syndicate (Chicago, IL), 1993—, and the games "Spot-a-Pix" and "Where Can It Be," 2007.

WITH WIFE, ELVIRA TALLARICO

Trivia Treat School Days, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1987.

Trivia Treat Holiday, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1987.

Trivia Treat Dinosaurs, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1987.

Also creators of the newspaper feature "Trivia Treat," Tribune Syndicate, 1984—.

ILLUSTRATOR:

Dorothy Z. Seymour, Bill and the Fish, Wonder Books (New York, NY), 1965.

Jean Bethell, Soupy Sales, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1965.

Paul Newman, Puff the Magic Dragon, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1965.

Dorothy Z. Seymour, Stop Pretending, I.T.A. (New York, NY), 1965.

D.J. Arneson, The Great Society Comic Book, Parallax (New York, NY), 1966.

D.J. Arneson, Bobman and Teddy, Parallax (New York, NY), 1966.

Batman—From Alfred to Zowie, Golden Press (New York, NY), 1966.

(With Water Ferguson and George J. Zaffo) Martin L. Keen, Let's Experiment, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1968.

Martin L. Keen and Claire Cooper Cunniff, The How and Why Wonder Book of Air and Water, Wonder Books (New York, NY), 1969.

Sara Asheron, Funny Face at the Window, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1970.

Victor Appleton, Tom Swift Series, Ace Books (New York, NY), 1977.

Claire Boiko and Therese Angress, Doctor Din's Disaster! A Shadow Play, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1977.

Claire Boiko and Sandra Novick, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad W-h-h-a-a-t? A Play, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1977.

Nancy Rockwell, The Nancy Drew Code Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Nancy Rockwell, Hardy Boys Code Activity Book, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Claire Boiko and Therese Angress, My Hero! A Play, Children's Press (Chicago, IL), 1979.

Oscar Weigle, Disney's World of Riddles, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1979.

Peter Funt and Mike Shatzkin, Gotcha!, Putnam (New York, NY), 1979.

Mary Elting and Rose Wyler, The Answer Book about You, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY), 1980.

D.J. Arneson, Space Creatures, Watermill (New York, NY), 1981.

Marilyn M. McAuley, What Did God Make?, Chariot Victor Publishing (Colorado Springs, CO), 1984.

Marilyn M. McAuley, My Bible Says, Chariot Victor Publishing (Colorado Springs, CO), 1984.

Marilyn M. McAuley, Let's Count, Chariot Victor Publishing (Colorado Springs, CO), 1984.

(With William Fraccio) Jerome J. Notkin and Sidney Gulkin, The How and Why Wonder Book of Beginning Science, J.G. Ferguson (Chicago, IL), 1987.

Charles Perrault, Puss in Boots, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Chariot Family Staff, Noah's Ark, Chariot Victor Publishing (Colorado Springs, CO), 1987.

Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

The Brothers Grimm, Little Red Riding Hood, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Charles Perrault, Cinderella, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

Maria Tropea, Lost in the Haunted Mansion, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Maria Tropea, The Missing Snowman, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Maria Tropea, The Silly Schoolhouse, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Maria Tropea, Where's Benjy Bunny?, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1991.

Arnold Kanter and Jodi Kanter, The Lawyer's Big Book of Fun, Contemporary Books (Chicago, IL), 1995.

Jane Parker Resnick, The Kids' Fun-Filled Question and Answer Book, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1996.

Arnold B. Kanter and Wendy Kanter, The Teacher's Big Book of Fun, Contemporary Books (Chicago, IL), 1996.

W. Hyde, Billy McGolf, Kidsbooks (Chicago, IL), 1999.

SIDELIGHTS:

Tony Tallarico once commented: "I always loved to write and draw. My big break began when I was accepted as a student by the School of Industrial Arts (a New York, NY high school). S.I.A. specialized in the creative arts from cartooning to jewelry design. This gave me an overall view of what I wanted to do in my career. After graduation I went on to study at the Brooklyn Museum Art School, School of Visual Arts, and Brooklyn College … all the while freelancing in the advertising and comic book fields.

"I continued writing and illustrating in these areas, never once thinking about the book field … until 1966, when together with good friend and author D.J. Arneson we created a national best seller. The comic book style satire The Great Society Comic Book was my first book and also the first book published by Peter Workman. Now that I was introduced to the book field, I loved it and decided that this was what I wanted to do. I began doing all sorts of books, from The How and Why Wonder Book of Beginning Science to Hee Haw, The Shadow, Laugh-In coloring books, and Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys activity books (that went on to become million sellers). My background in the ‘comics’ was a great help in laying out a story and picture line.

"Book projects followed, and in 1980 I met Philip Mann, who had a small publishing company, Tuffy Books, Inc. He needed concepts and art for a series of patented handle board books that he wanted to do for the preschool market. I loved the idea and started working with him…. 150-plus books later, he sold the company to Grossett & Dunlap (which I also was working for).

"I also started an ‘I Can Draw’ … series for Simon & Schuster in the 1980s, which is still published today. At about this time an old friend of mine, Vic Cavallaro, got in contact with me. He was starting up a book company, Kidsbooks, and asked if I'd like to contribute ideas. We went on to do many books, including the ‘Where Are They?’ series, which sold over 12-million copies worldwide, and are still being published today.

"My children have been influenced by what I do—my daughter, Nina, worked as a designer and art director for Simon & Schuster and Random House. My son, Anthony (a musician—keyboardist with Herman's Hermits—and author), has done many projects with me, including the book and musical tape series ‘Look and Sing,’.

"I am often asked: ‘How do I get into the book field?’ My honest answer is: I don't really know! Many of my fellow authors and illustrators have taken many different roads to arrive there, but one thing is similar to all: we are ‘idea-people.’ We think in terms of book concepts, we do lots of concept proposals, and we occasionally sell some. I've had and hope to continue to have a successful career in the book field, and the one person I have to really thank for giving me patience and understanding through all the hills and valleys is my wonderful wife, Elvira."

Recently Tallarico told CA: "The complete count of books, comic books, advertising books, newspaper strips, et cetera, is beyond 1,000 titles and still going, and it will until they don't want me any more or until it isn't fun to do any more.

"A great plus, if it happens, is the business of licensing art from various projects. The "Where Are They?" series has been licensed for many products, including games, cereal bowls, children' flatware, cups, place mats, calendars, and trading cards. Other books have gone onto t-shirts, socks, rain wear, and book covers.

"It's really a big thrill to see something you've created for books go on to other products—and have another life. Books promote the product, and the product promotes the book."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 1, 1999, Sally Estes, review of Drawing and Cartooning All-Star Sports: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Aspiring Sports Artist, p. 132.

New York Times Book Review, November 11, 1984, Carrie Carmichael, reviews of What's Opposite?, Time To, How Many?, At Home, and Tiny Tuffy, p. 57.

Publishers Weekly, March 9, 1984, reviews of Who Am I?, What's Opposite?, Time To, How Many?, Finger Counting, and At Home, p. 113; April 25, 1986, Diane Roback, reviews of The Magic Word Is … Sorry, The Magic Words Are … May I?, The Magic Word Is … Please, and The Magic Words Are … Thank You, p. 76.

School Library Journal, October, 1980, Ginny Caine Cooper, review of Super Jokes, p. 151; October, 1981, Jean Hammond Zimmerman, review of Christmas Crack-ups, p. 158.

More From encyclopedia.com