Strega Nona
Tomie dePaola Β· 1975
Age 5-6F&P L
π Caldecott Honor (1976)π The Atlantic 65 Essential (2025)
View on Open Library βAbout This Book
Strega Nona ('Grandma Witch') has a magic pasta pot. When her helper Big Anthony uses it without knowing the stop spell, the town floods with pasta. Strega Nona makes him eat it all as punishment.
Why This Age
Caldecott Honor. The Italian folklore setting, cause-and-effect moral, and dry humor work for 5-6 year olds who understand consequences.
How to Use
- Make pasta together after reading
- Discuss: 'Why didn't Big Anthony learn the WHOLE spell?'
- Connect to other 'magic gone wrong' stories the child knows