The story ravels out of control from here. Before Anthony had tried to tell the other villagers about Strega Nona's magic pot, but no one believed him. Anthony takes the magic pot to the time square where he is determined to make everyone believe. Repeating the words of a spell Anthony heard Strega Nona do, Anthony fills the pot with pasta spaghetti mirroring Strega Nona's technique. The town rushes to the square to see, and there's pasta for all. But when Anthony tries to stop the pot once everyone has eaten, he can't do it. Anthony had failed to see how Strega Nona did it. The town is on the verge of overflowing with pasta when Strega Nona arrives to put a stop to it. As a punishment for Anthony, Strega NOna makes him eat all the past that overflowed the town.
DePaola presents a humorous story about how curiosity can sometimes get the better of us. Children will be able to relate to this original folk tale with ease. DePaolo's watercolor illustrations provide a details beyond the text as Strega Nona uses her magical powers, Anthony cleans the house, and Anthony using the magic pot. DePaolo reflects perhaps the Renaissance time period in his illustrations
In an article by Consumer Help, B. Redman writes that Stregna Nona was "somewhat inspired by [DePaolo's] own Italian grandmother and her endless servings of spaghetti," What a fabulous way to incorporate personal experience into a lesson-giving folktale.
Strega Nona has received numerous awards include the Caldecott Honor, the Horn Book Honor, and has been named an ALA Notable Children's Book. Many tales have followed the original Strega Nona including Big Anthony, His Story which is the biography of Strega Nona's most troublesome assistant. What." What a
I had completely forgotten this book, but now that you have reminded me, I'm going to have to go read it again. I went looking at the library for it and found another great book I read in school called "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of "Strega Nona" and I have always wanted to read it. Atleast now I know the title means "Grandmother witch." I love the great moral about how curiosity gets the best of us......I would be the one that would have to touch the pot. It sounds like even young children would be able to understand this moral. Have you read "Big Anthony, His Story"?
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