Strega Nona facts for kids
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Cover with correct "an original tale..." subtitle
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| Author | Tomie dePaola |
|---|---|
| Original title | Strega Nonna |
| Illustrator | Tomie dePaola |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's |
| Published | 1975 |
| Publisher | Prentice Hall |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0138516006 |
| LC Class | PZ8.1.D43 St |
Strega Nona is a popular children's book created by Tomie dePaola. It was first published in 1975. The story is like a classic folktale about a magic mill.
The book tells the story of Strega Nona, whose name means "Grandma Witch" in Italian. She has a helper named Big Anthony. Big Anthony accidentally makes Strega Nona's magic pasta pot create so much pasta that it almost floods their whole town! This book is one of Tomie dePaola's most famous works. It won a Caldecott Honor in 1976. In 2012, School Library Journal named it one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" ever.
Contents
The Story of Strega Nona
The story takes place in Calabria, a region in southern Italy. Strega Nona is a kind of witch doctor or healer. People in her village know her for her many successful remedies. She helps everyone with their problems, like curing headaches, helping single women find husbands, and getting rid of warts.
Big Anthony's Mistake
As Strega Nona gets older, she hires a young man named Big Anthony to help with chores. Strega Nona tells Big Anthony his duties very carefully. She gives him one important rule: never touch her magic pasta pot. Big Anthony agrees to follow this rule.
One night, Big Anthony secretly watches Strega Nona. He sees her sing a special spell to the magic pasta pot. The pot then makes huge amounts of cooked spaghetti noodles! Big Anthony is very impressed. But he misses a very important part: Strega Nona blows three kisses to the pot to make it stop cooking.
The Pasta Flood
The next day, Big Anthony tries to tell the townspeople what he saw. But they just laugh at him and do not believe him. Big Anthony promises himself that one day he will show them the magic pot.
He gets his chance two days later. Strega Nona leaves to visit her friend, Strega Amelia. She leaves Big Anthony in charge of her house. As soon as she is gone, Big Anthony gets the pasta pot. He successfully makes lots of pasta, which he shares with the townspeople.
However, Big Anthony does not know how to stop the pot from cooking. The pasta noodles start to cover Strega Nona's house. Soon, the pasta threatens to flood the entire town! Luckily, Strega Nona returns just in time. She immediately blows the three kisses to stop the pot's cooking.
Big Anthony's Punishment
The townspeople are very angry and want to punish Big Anthony. But Strega Nona steps in. She says that "the punishment must fit the crime". She hands Big Anthony a fork and tells him to eat all the pasta he made. By nightfall, Big Anthony is completely full from eating all the pasta.
More Strega Nona Adventures
Strega Nona and Big Anthony appear in many other books by Tomie dePaola. Here are some of them:
- Big Anthony and the Magic Ring (1979): This book introduces a new character, Bambolona, who is the baker's daughter.
- Strega Nona's Magic Lessons (1982): Big Anthony dresses up as a girl to take magic lessons from Strega Nona. Bambolona also takes lessons.
- Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (1986): Strega Nona focuses on preparing a big Christmas dinner for everyone in the town.
- Strega Nona Meets Her Match (1993): Strega Amelia, a friend of Strega Nona, opens a modern cure shop. This shop competes with Strega Nona's traditional one.
- Strega Nona: Her Story (1996): This book tells about Strega Nona's life. It explains how she got the magic pasta pot and learned her magic from her grandmother, Grandma Concetta.
- Big Anthony, His Story (1998): This book shares Big Anthony's life story, starting from his childhood. It shows how his family always noticed that he did not pay much attention.
- Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (2000): Strega Nona goes on a trip. She sends gifts like candy and bubble baths to Bambolona and Big Anthony.
- Brava, Strega Nona! A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book (2008): In this book, Strega Nona gives helpful advice about life.
- Strega Nona's Harvest (2009): Strega Nona teaches Big Anthony about gardening. She also shows him how important it is to keep things organized.
- Strega Nona's Gift (2011): This story is about Italian holiday traditions.
- Strega Nona Does It Again (2013): Strega Nona finds the perfect solution for a houseguest who stays too long.
Strega Nona on Screen and Stage
The stories of Strega Nona have also been made into other forms of media:
- An animated film called Strega Nonna was made by Weston Woods Studios. It was released on January 1, 1977.
- Strega Nona The Musical was created by Thomas Olson and Roberta Carlson. It combined stories from Strega Nona, Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, and Strega Nona Her Story. The musical toured in 1986–1987.
- Strega Nona, Big Anthony, and Bambolona appeared in the 2001 television series Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola. Bill Barretta performed Strega Nona, and Julianne Buescher performed Bambolona.
See also
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice
- Sweet Porridge
- Why the Sea is Salt
- The Master and his Pupil
- The Water Mother
- Bless Me, Ultima
