Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the air raid drills and the need to darken windows at night fill first-grader Tomie with fear, but with reassurance from his parents, he finds a way to cope with living during a time of war.

Tomie can't believe that anything could be more exciting than moving to a new house. Then he finds out that a new baby is coming. Will it be a sister? That's what Tomie hopes. While he is waiting for her to arrive, there is plenty to keep him busy, including tap dancing lessons and the tryouts for a play about Peter Rabbit. Once again, Tomie dePaola takes us back to his childhood and shares the funny personal memories that make us all wish we could grow up at 26 Fairmount Avenue too.

Tomie keeps hearing the phrase, ?For the duration.? Gas is being rationed ?for the duration.? The Fourth of July fireworks will be the last show ?for the duration.? So many things will be different as long as the war goes on, but much of Tomie?s life goes on as usual. He?s excited about starring in a dance recital, taking the bus around town all by himself, and having his first Communion. But Tomie is also still getting over his cousin?s death in the war, and he has to say good-bye to his uncle as he ships off to basic training. And then he has a run-in with some bullies and his brother doesn?t even help him out. Luckily, Tomie knows there are a lot of people he can count on for the duration.

After surviving the arrival of his baby sister, Maureen, Tomie celebrates his sixth birthday, starts first grade, and eagerly awaits Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Another chapter in the author's autobiography describes his time as a child in Connecticut during World War II, discussing how he dealt with the war while trying to learn arithmetic and improve his penmanship.

Passover is a time for families and friends to celebrate their faith and shared history. Tomie dePaola’s simple text and beautiful illustrations provide insight into this special holiday for young readers.

"The simple strains of this old Christmas melody are superbly reflected in the graceful, delicate, yet strong images that dePaola brings to the page....A Christmas remembrance to be long treasured." -- Booklist (starred review)"Beautiful." -- The Horn Book"Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of design, color, and layout." -- School Library Journal