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
"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
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.