Read Time: 9mins
Author: Tomie dePaola
Genre: Fable and Folklore
Synopsis: Strega Nona is a picture book about an Italian “Grandma Witch” who hires the scatterbrained Big Anthony to help with chores. He ignores her warning and uses her magical pasta pot while she is away, causing a massive, town-flooding pasta disaster that she must fix.
Points of Interest: Italy, Pasta, Magic
Who may like this book: Whimsical and slightly chaotic children.
Dialogic Reading Prompts
- Why do you think Big Anthony didn’t listen to Strega Nona?
- What do you think would have happened if he followed directions?
- How would you solve the problem with the pasta?
- Why is listening important in this story?
- Have you ever made a mistake like Big Anthony? What happened?
- What makes Strega Nona a good teacher?
- What lesson does this story teach?
The Path to Literacy 