Strega Nona

Tommy DePaola

These are the stories of an Italian Witch Grandma and her grandson Anthony.  Strega Nona is wise and kind (and a bit snarky) but Anthony is not always good at listening to her.  Anthony has adventures that end peacefully with his grandmother's guidance

Audience
I'd start reading it aloud to children in 1st or 2nd grade.  They will still be interesting to 4th/5th graders

What I Love About It
1) The pictures.  They are intracate and gorgeous.  Tommy DePaola is a genius.
2) Dialogue.  It's a little stitlted in places, but I always have reading it aloud.
3) The story is cute.  It makes me smile

Cautions
1) Anthony is pretty dumb
2) Strega Nona is portrayed as all knowing, a little flat

Series
Stega Nona
Strega Nona's Magic Lessons
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Strega Nona's Harvest
Strega Nona Meets Her Match
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation
Strega Nona: Her Story