A Guide For Using Strega Nona In The Classroom

When Big Anthony borrows Strega Nona's magic ring to turn himself into a handsome man, he gets more trouble than fun.

"Teacher created resources, TCR 436"--Cover.

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.

Tom dePaola’s classic illustrations accompany his heartwarming story about his relationship with his grandfather as a small boy. “A delightfully offbeat vignette of boyish mischief reinforcing the bond between generations.”—Kirkus Reviews “DePaola champions the special relationship he had with grandfather. . . . Youngsters will bask in the delicious conspiracy between grandfather and grandson. . . . This book is a treasure.”—Booklist “With gentle humor and his usual master of line and composition, dePaola conveys the strong bond of affection between Tom and little Tommy, from the photo-album snapshot of the proud grandfather holding a baby on the title page to the big hug of the mischief-makers that ends the book.”—Horn Book “Touches of old-world humor add sparkle to the tale.”—Publishers Weekly

In his Caldecott Honor book, dePaolo tells the story of Strega Nona, who is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

A literature unit to teach curriculum connections, critical thinking, and vocabulary.

This delightful new edition of Tomie dePaola’s beloved classic stars Strega Nona at her trickiest—and bumbling Big Anthony at his silliest! Bambolona is tired of working in her Papa’s bakery. There is far too much to do! So she decides to go to wise Strega Nona and learn a little magic, instead. But here comes Big Anthony. He wants to learn, too…if he doesn’t make a big mess of things first!