This special ebook edition features Tomie dePaola retelling his classic story against a charming musical score! When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola. Strega Nona–“Grandma Witch”–is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. … comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical ever-full pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.
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I love all of Tomie dePaola’s stories and Strega Nona is no exception. I was saddened to learn of his passing last month and will miss him. I have over 30 books that either he wrote or illustrated and I love to read them to my students.
My first grade students loved listening to this story! They worked on story mapping and sequence of events first. Then, they created a writing describing their own pasta they would create. Finally, they were given the chance to use their imagination and continue the story after the author ended it. What would Strega Nona and Big Anthony do next?
Anything by Tomie dePaola is a delight to read or read aloud.
Review
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola is the first book in a classic children’s literature series from the 1970s and 1980s. It was eventually made into a cartoon and several other children’s merchandise, all fun and educational toys as kids grew up. I enjoyed the premise of the books but only read the first one, and maybe the second or third (can’t remember!).
Strega Nona means “Grandma Witch,” and she helps the townspeople with all their problems through her magical pasta pot. One day, she has to go away and leaves Big Anthony in charge. And even though he was told not to use the pot, he doesn’t listen and causes all sorts of wacky situations.
These books were meant as little lessons for children. It all comes down to teaching the 4 to 8 range why it’s important to listen, what harm can happen if you don’t and how to always be honest and truthful. Valuable stuff… and when it’s in a picture book format, it’s quite strong.
Of all the picture books, these weren’t my super-high favorite ones, but they were still very good. I liked the idea of a witch teaching children, but at the same time… if you want this to be a listen, did she have to be a witch? Couldn’t she just have been a grandma with some magical powers? I suppose it’s a good way to show that not all “witches” can be bad. But I bet kids learned to eat a lot of pasta from them!!!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you’ll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I’ve visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.