Retold and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola
Ages: 4-8
Caldecott Honor Book
Caldecott Honor Book
Strega Noma is an old Italian women who had a magical pot and could use magic to cure headaches, get rid or warts, and help young women find a husband. Since Strega Nona was getting old, she needed someone to help care for her garden. Big Anthony was the helper. He was given strict instructions by Strega Nona not to touch her pot. One day, Big Anthony saw Strega Nona do magic to make pasta. When Strega Nona was away he repeated the words that he had heard Strega Nona say to make pasta for everyone in the Village. Big Anthony did not hear and see everything that Strega Nona said and did and because of this the pasta overflowed the village.
Theme: Listening to rules is important because like Big Anthony learns, bad things can happen if you do not listen.
About the Author:
Tomie dePaola developed a love for books starting at a very young age because his mother read to him everyday and at age four he told everyone that he wanted to write and draw stories for books. Tomie dePaola has written and/or illustrated over 200 books within 40 years.
"Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure." Tomie dePaola is also the 2011 winner of the Wilder Award.
Pre-Reading Activities:
The teacher should point out that "Strega Nona" means Grandma Witch. The teacher can then go on to discuss how this is an Italian name and show students where Italy is and more specifically where Calabria is (the setting).
Post-Reading Activities:
Students will talk about how Big Anthony felt a different points of the book.
Students can also go on to write the story through the perspective of Big Anthony.
*Before or after this book, students can read Big Anthony: His Story. Which would ultimatly lead to a different understanding of Strega Nona.
Students will talk about how Big Anthony felt a different points of the book.
Students can also go on to write the story through the perspective of Big Anthony.
*Before or after this book, students can read Big Anthony: His Story. Which would ultimatly lead to a different understanding of Strega Nona.
I love these books by Tomie dePaola! I really like them because I am Italian and love my heritage! Since this book is about Anothony not listening to rules and bad things happen if you do not listen, you could use this book at the beginning of the year to establish classroom expectations. You could also review what the consequences would be if students are unable to follow the classroom rules.
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