Strega Nona
What's Strega Nona About
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. Her magical everfull 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. In this retelling of an old tale, author-illustrator Tomie dePaola combines humor in the writing and warmth in the paintings as he builds the story to its hilarious climax.
What Kind of Book is Strega Nona
Reviews
At our house, we have loved Tomie De Paola books for decades. The original Strega Nona is a big favorite! There are so many wonderful things about this book: the importance of listening carefully, trust, independence, natural consequences and having the punishment fit the crime, best of all, the magic in this book is really just three kisses. The color palate for DePaola's illustrations is right out of 'once upon a time' in Italy, as are the architectural details and costuming. It is a gentle cautionary tale with manageable consequences--which is a good thing because there is a little Big Anthony in all of us.
Book Lists That Include Strega Nona
The Creatives Behind the Book
Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators of our time and the winner of the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature,” among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery Honor winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona and its companions, as well as Oliver Button Is a Sissy; The Legend of Old Befana; The Clown of God; Michael Bird-Boy; Andy, That’s My Name; and Quiet. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire.
What Has Tomie dePaola Said About This Book
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More Books From These Creatives
Strega Nona Series
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780671666064
- Publication Date
- January 1, 1988
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Original Publication Date
- December 1, 1975
- Page Count
- 40
- Word Count
- 1278
- Audience
- Picture
- Reading Age
- 4 - 8 years
- Lib. of Congress (LCCN)
- 75011565
- WorldCat Number (OCLC)
- 17840716
- Lexile® Level
- AD730L
- Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
- ~Q
- ATOS® Book Level
- 3.9
- Accelerated Reader® Points
- 0.5
- Accelerated Reader Quiz
- 6093
- Accelerated Reader Interest Level
- LG
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