Module 2: Strega Nona

APA Reference of Book: dePaola, T. (1975). Strega nona. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Book Summary: In an Italian town there is a respected old woman named Strega Nona, who helps the townspeople with their medical ailments. She accepts Big Anthony into her home to help her with the household chores and the garden. She instructs him not to touch a magic pot that has the ability to fill up with pasta. Big Anthony disobeys and uses the magic pot to show off to the townspeople. When Big Anthony cannot stop the pot from overflowing and flooding the town with pasta, Strega Nona returns to say the magic words that make the pot stop bubbling over. Strega Nona lets Big Anthony eat all the extra pasta as his punishment.

Impressions: I have always enjoyed the illustrations of Tomie dePaola since I was a child. The pictures in this book are colorful with soft, warm tones. The characters are charming and childlike with little eyes, small heads, and large, rounded bodies. dePaola’s retelling of Strega Nona is a good introduction to the folktale for those who are unfamiliar with the story. He tells it in a humorous way and gives a sense of realism to the setting of the story by including a few Italian phrases such as si and grazie. It was a fun and lighthearted story to read. I look forward to reading the rest of dePaola’s Strega Nona books.

Professional Review: “When Strega Nona, “Grandma Witch,” leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot, he decides to give the townspeople a treat. What happens is reminiscent of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Big Anthony doesn’t know how to make the pot stop. The town is practically buried in spaghetti before Strega Nona returns to save the day and to figure out a punishment for Big Anthony that fits his crime. De Paola’s colorful cartoon-style pictures are filled with deadpan humor that sets the tone for this lighthearted Italian folk tale.”

Maxwell, M. (1975). Strega nona (book) [Review of the book Strega nona, by T. dePaola]. School Library Journal, 22(1), 79. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2308/ehost/detail/detail?sid=a33f0f72-5cca-4913-bc24-ed7ebacc9791%40sessionmgr4006&vid=0&hid=4214&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=a9h&AN=6508154

Library Uses: Host a spaghetti dinner for the children, including a read-aloud of the book and teaching them some basic Italian phrases written on brightly decorated poster board.