Synopses & Reviews
Enter the marvelous, magical world of Strega Nona!
This wonderful treasury features six favorite stories about Strega Nona and her sidekick, the bumbling Big Anthonyincluding the original Strega Nona, as well as Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Strega Nona: Her Story, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation, Strega Nonas Harvest, and Strega Nonas Gift. Tomies brand-new introductions to each story take readers behind the scenes to see how Strega Nonas world has developed through the years. Also including an original lullabywith sheet music and a CDa map of Strega Nonas town, and some fun recipes, this collection will give readers and music lovers much to savor.
Strega Nona, Tomie dePaolas beloved grandmother witch,” has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Awardwinning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nonas gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her an enduring character who has charmed generations of children.”
Review
"Readers of all ages can be grateful that dePaola continues to practice his magic so well."-
The New York Times Book Review
"A fine choice for both story hours and lap sharing." -Booklist
Review
"Fans of Strega Nona and her bumbling helper will delight in this funny tale. . . . Infused with warm Italian flavor and decorated with dePaola's signature charming illustrations, this is a holiday selection that readers will savor."
Review
"Glowing watercolors in warm Mediterranean colors. . . . Community, piety, ritual, and food: Strega Nona and Tomie dePaola know exactly what Christmas is all about."
Review
"A lively story. . . . Kids will enjoy the mischief and the turnarounds, shown with gentle humor in the joyful acrylic-and-watercolor pictures filled with food, singing, and dancing."
Review
"DePaola delivers a hearty sampler of Italian holiday traditions and seasonal cuisine."
Synopsis
Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) has cures for warts and headaches, even lovesickness. She uses old-fashioned potions and magic and the villagers in Calabria flock to her door. But when her friend Strega Amelia comes over the mountain for a visit, she brings more than just gossip. Soon she's set up her own shop, using the latest modern gadgets, offering sweets and cappuccino--to all of Strega Nona's regulars! Looks like Strega Nona's met her match, Unless she's got her
own cure. For Strega Amelia!
Everyone who's read about Strega Nona before will know she has a helper named Big Anthony and rememeber the big problems he's caused in the past. But this time, he unwittingly plays a part in proving that the old ways are often the best ways.
Synopsis
Enter the marvelous, magical world of Strega Nona
This wonderful treasury features six favorite stories about Strega Nona and her sidekick, the bumbling Big Anthony--including the original Strega Nona, as well as Strega Nona Meets Her Match, Strega Nona: Her Story, Strega Nona Takes a Vacation, Strega Nona's Harvest, and Strega Nona's Gift. Tomie's brand-new introductions to each story take readers behind the scenes to see how Strega Nona's world has developed through the years. Also including an original lullaby--with sheet music and a CD--a map of Strega Nona's town, and some fun recipes, this collection will give readers and music lovers much to savor.
Strega Nona, Tomie dePaola's beloved "grandmother witch," has been enchanting readers since the publication of the Caldecott Honor Award-winning Strega Nona in 1975. Strega Nona's gentle humor, irrepressible spirit, and matter-of-fact approach to life have won her legions of fans young and old, and the American Library Association called her "an enduring character who has charmed generations of children."
Synopsis
An all-new Strega Nona picture book on the heels of the New York Times Bestseller Brava, Strega Nona!
Tomie dePaola’s beloved character Strega Nona is back in a colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons.
In this humorous tale, Strega Nona attempts to teach Big Anthony about gardening and the importance of order. But when Big Anthony does not follow her directions and tries to use her growing spell, his small vegetable patch turns into an unruly jungle! What will they do with all the extra vegetables?
With beautiful illustrations reminiscent of the artwork that won Tomie dePaola the Caldecott Honor for the original Strega Nona, this celebration of harvest and gardening will make the perfect addition to any Strega Nona collection.
Synopsis
Synopsis
Lately Strega Nona has been distracted-she even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?
Synopsis
It has been a long time since Strega Nona had a vacation. At night she dreams she's at her Grandma Concetta's little house by the seashore. During the day she hears Grandma Concetta's voice saying, "Vieni, Nonalina, come." Soon even Big Anthony notices that Strega Nona is distracted--she gives the Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache! Everybody says, "Strega Nona needs a vacation!" But when she sends bubble bath to Bambolona and candy to Big Anthony, greedy Bambolona takes the candy for herself, leaving Big Anthony--and the town--in a sea of bubbles! Only Big Anthony, famous for his problem with pasta, could have trouble like this with soap! Award-winning artist/author Tomie dePaola brings us a warm and very funny addition to the stories of his most beloved character, Strega Nona.
Synopsis
Tomie dePaola serves as "biographer" to his delightful Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, in this beautifully drawn prequel. The tale begins with little Nona's birth on a dark and stormy night, and ends where the original Strega Nona picks up-with Strega Nona taking on the bumbling, knock-kneed Big Anthony as an apprentice. This winsome story is illustrated throughout with Tomie dePaola's warm and sunny watercolors! "dePaola does a splendid job of working this sparkling tale into the Strega Nona canon." -Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
In Strega Nona's village, the holiday season is a time of celebrations - and nothing says celebration like a feast! All the kitchens are bustling from the Feast of San Nicola, when the children choose the food, to the Feast of Epiphany, when someone gets to be king or queen for the day. Even the animals share in the holiday spirit, and when Big Anthony smells the delicious treats Strega Nona is cooking for them, he decides that just a taste couldn't hurt, right? Wrong! Big Anthony gets his just
desserts, while Strega Nona surprises everyone with a special gift.
Starring two of Tomie dePaola's best-loved characters, this funny story features beautiful art, introduces young readers to Italian holiday traditions, and lands Big Anthony in yet another silly predicament that will delight fans young and old.
About the Author
Tomie dePaola (www.tomie.com) is the acclaimed author and/or illustrator of more than 250 books for children. His books range from autobiographical stories to retellings of folktales and legends to original tales, such as the Strega Nona books. The American Library Association said: His works reflect an innate understanding of childhood, a distinctive visual style, and a remarkable ability to adapt his voice to perfectly suit the story.” Tomie has received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, a Caldecott Honor for Strega Nona, and a Newbery Honor for his autobiographical chapter book, 26 Fairmount Avenue. He was awarded the Smithson Medal, the Regina Medal, was designated a living treasure” by the state of New Hampshire, and received the 2012 Original Art Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Society of Illustrators. He lives in New London, New Hampshire.