AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR:
Tomie de Paola
PUBLISHER:
Aladdin Picture Books PUBLICATION
DATE: 1979
GENRE:
Italian Children's Fiction
READING LEVEL: K-3
BRIEF OVERVIEW:
Strega Nona, which means “Grandma Witch,” in Italian, is known in the town for
her magic powers. She can cure headaches, get rid of warts, and even has a
spell to help women find a husband. Big Anthony comes to visit and doesn’t
listen to Strega Nona and while she is gone, he causes a spell that creates
enough pasta for the whole town! Strega Nona returns just in time to make the
pot stop making pasta.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Ask children what
the moral of the story might be. Later tell that that the moral is, “Listen and
pay attention!” If the character Big Anthony had paid attention, he would not
have gotten into trouble. Have students write about a time in their lives that
they have paid attention and avoided problems, or a time that they did not pay
attention and something bad resulted. Students can read to the class if they
would like.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION:
Meghan Grimes, Valdosta State University
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