Strega Nona

Strega Nona is a family favorite that brings back some of the warmest, best memories. Tomie de Paola bases his original story on the old Italian legends of Strega Nona, or “Grandma Witch.” Of course, she’s not really a witch at all, but an old wise woman herbalist who takes care of the whole town (even the priest!) when they are ill. De Paola’s watercolors beautiful set the story in Calabria, the graceful stucco-and-tile buildings forming the backdrop to what unfolds as an emmensely funny story. It seems that in addition to being able to cure peoples maladies, Strega Nona possess a magic pot that always serves up enough spaghetti to feed her and anyone else who is hungry. When she hires Big Anthony to help around her little farm and then goes away for a few days to visit her friend, the trouble begins. Big Anthony had watched and watched from his hiding place to learn the secret of the magic pot. He thought he had learned everything, but there was one very special secret he never saw. You and your children will love watching Big Anthony get in and out of the biggest mess the town has ever seen. Guaranteed laughs and smiles for children from 4 to 8.