Strega Nona

 

Strega Nona

written and illustrated by Tomie de Paola
Ages 5-8
****
Caldecott Honor

Strega Nona, the town's magic woman, hires a young boy named Big Anthony to help her around the house but warns him never to touch her pasta pot.  One day Big Anthony sees Strega Nona chanting a magic spell over the pot to cook pasta.  Big Anthony does not pay attention so as soon a Strega Nona leaves the house he uses the magic chant to make pasta for the whole town.  However Big Anthony did not see Strega Nona give the pot three kisses to stop the spell and so the pasta keeps cooking until it overflows into the town until Strega Nona saves the day and makes Big Anthony eat all of the pasta in town.

I remember reading this book again and again as a child, I never got tired of hearing the magic chant and watching Big Anthony get in trouble.  I love the detailed illustrations which appear to be in ancient Italy.  The first page illustrates two levels of the town and we see people visiting with Strega Nona, religious figures, gossip.  The illustrations create a busy mood within the town and reveal little details about the townspeople in the background.  I thought it was funny how Strega Nona is known as "Grandma Witch" because she looks just like a round little old Grandma with a witches nose and chin.  When I was little I told my Grandma she was fluffy like Strega Nona of their shape. 

The story seems to make light of peoples selfish motivations. The "priest and sisters of the convent" go to Strega Nona even though she is a witch because... she can give them what they want.  As soon as Strega Nona leaves town a thought bubble pops up above Anthony's head of the cauldron because he is already thinking about himself.  Later when he claims he has magic pasta the people scoff but are quick to eat it and equally quick to turn on him when things get out of control.    The story teaches that you should pay attention and listen to your elders.  At the same time if you look closely it seems to mock people of power and authority.

I would read this book to my class because it is a fun and entertaining story.  Children will enjoy the repeated rhyme of the magical phrase and can say it together as we read.  The book is also good for making predictions because children will also be quick to realize that big Anthony is watching Strega Nona when she says the spell over the pasta.  Children will also relate to the stories' sense of right and wrong.  They will realize that what Big Anthony did was wrong and expect a consequence, which they get. They will also enjoy how detailed and busy the illustrations are and will no doubt try to be the first to point out new details and make connections in the pictures.