Margins
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Strega Nona
Series · 14
books · 1975-2017

Books in series

Strega Nona book cover
#1

Strega Nona

1975

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
Big Anthony and the Magic Ring book cover
#2

Big Anthony and the Magic Ring

1979

In this sequel to Caldecott Honor winner Strega Nona, “Big Anthony romps through a case of spring fever with an ill-gotten magic ring, against the architectural background and blue skies of la bella Italia.”— Booklist
Strega Nona's Magic Lessons book cover
#3

Strega Nona's Magic Lessons

1982

The popular Big Anthony tries once again to use Strega Nona’s magic with the usual hilarious and disastrous results. “Played for laughs-successfully.”— Booklist
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona book cover
#4

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona

1986

Strega Nona returns with her bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, and Bambolona, the baker’s daughter, in time for the big Christmas Eve feast.
Strega Nona Meets Her Match book cover
#5

Strega Nona Meets Her Match

1993

Tomie dePaola’s beloved and bestselling Strega Nona gets in some friendly competition in this beloved addition to the series! Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) has cures for warts and headaches, even lovesickness. She uses old-fashioned potions and magic and the villagers in Calabria flock to her door. But when her friend Strega Amelia comes over the mountain for a visit, she brings more than just gossip. Soon she's set up her own shop, using the latest modern gadgets, offering sweets and cappuccino—to all of Strega Nona's regulars! Looks like Strega Nona's met her match, Unless she's got her own cure. For Strega Amelia! "A pleasure to read aloud, this features the broad humor that young children relish."— Booklist
Strega Nona book cover
#6

Strega Nona

Her Story

1996

Tomie dePaola serves as "biographer" to his delightful Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, in this beautifully drawn prequel. The tale begins with little Nona's birth on a dark and stormy night, and ends where the original Strega Nona picks up-with Strega Nona taking on the bumbling, knock-kneed Big Anthony as an apprentice. This winsome story is illustrated throughout with Tomie dePaola's warm and sunny watercolors! "dePaola does a splendid job of working this sparkling tale into the Strega Nona canon." - Publishers Weekly
Big Anthony book cover
#7

Big Anthony

His Story

1998

Fans of Tomie dePaola’s kindly Strega Nona will love this charming look at the early days of her good-hearted but clumsy helper Big Anthony. From the day he is born, Big Anthony never pays attention. As a boy, he leaves the gates of the farm open and all the animals escape. As a young man off to make his fortune in the world, he accidentally “fixes” the leaning Tower of Pisa. Will Italy survive the hilarious mishaps of Big Anthony? “Readers of all ages can be grateful that dePaola continues to practice his magic so well.” —The New York Times Book Review “Big Anthony and Strega Nona certainly qualify as celebrities in the realm of picture books, and this latest installment will bring smiles to the faces of their young fans.” —School Library Journal
Strega Nona Takes a Vacation book cover
#8

Strega Nona Takes a Vacation

2000

Lately Strega Nona has been distracted-she even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her Grandma Concetta, who has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?
Strega Nona's Harvest book cover
#9

Strega Nona's Harvest

2009

An all-new Strega Nona picture book on the heels of the New York Times Bestseller Brava, Strega Nona! Tomie dePaola's beloved character Strega Nona is back in a colorful picture book, perfect for fall and the changing seasons. In this humorous tale, Strega Nona attempts to teach Big Anthony about gardening and the importance of order. But when Big Anthony does not follow her directions and tries to use her growing spell, his small vegetable patch turns into an unruly jungle! What will they do with all the extra vegetables? With beautiful illustrations reminiscent of the artwork that won Tomie dePaola the Caldecott Honor for the original Strega Nona, this celebration of harvest and gardening will make the perfect addition to any Strega Nona collection.
Strega Nona's Gift book cover
#10

Strega Nona's Gift

2011

In Strega Nona's village, the holiday season is a time of celebrations - and nothing says celebration like a feast! All the kitchens are bustling from the Feast of San Nicola, when the children choose the food, to the Feast of Epiphany, when someone gets to be king or queen for the day. Even the animals share in the holiday spirit, and when Big Anthony smells the delicious treats Strega Nona is cooking for them, he decides that just a taste couldn't hurt, right? Wrong! Big Anthony gets his just desserts, while Strega Nona surprises everyone with a special gift. Starring two of Tomie dePaola's best-loved characters, this funny story features beautiful art, introduces young readers to Italian holiday traditions, and lands Big Anthony in yet another silly predicament that will delight fans young and old.
Strega Nona Does It Again book cover
#11

Strega Nona Does It Again

2013

Following the New York Times bestsellers Strega Nona's Gift, Strega Nona's Harvest and Brava, Strega Nona, Tomie dePaola’s beloved Strega Nona is back, with the perfect remedy for a houseguest who overstays her welcome. Angelina is so beautiful that all the young men in the village are chasing her, but the one she has eyes for doesn’t know she exists. At his wits’ end, her father sends her to his dear cousin—Strega Nona. Strega Nona, Big Anthony and Bambolona are excited to have a houseguest, but they’re in for a surprise. Angelina is a spoiled young lady used to being boss, and before they know it, Big Anthony is her new footman and Bambolona is her maid. Her nonstop demands have the whole household in a tizzy! It’s up to Strega Nona to devise a plan that will make everyone happy—including two comically vain young lovers. Once again the amazing Tomie dePaola brings Strega Nona and her energetic household to fabulous life. With hilarious illustrations packed with details of Angelina’s over-the-top antics, Strega Nona’s latest outing begs to be read over and over again.
Strega Nona and Her Tomatoes book cover
#12

Strega Nona and Her Tomatoes

2017

Discover brand-new stories about Strega Nona, by acclaimed author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read series that’s perfect for beginning readers! Strega Nona is excited! The tomatoes in her garden are ripe, and she picks enough to fill a basket. She wants to give twenty-four tomatoes to the convent, and counts them out on the kitchen table. She is in the middle of counting when Signora Goat starts to eat the laundry. While Strega Nona is outside, Big Anthony sees the tomatoes and wants to help. Poor Big Anthony. He puts the tomatoes back in the basket!
Strega Nona and the Twins book cover
#13

Strega Nona and the Twins

2017

In this brand-new story from acclaimed author and illustrator Tomie dePaola, Strega Nona babysits twins in a Level 1 Ready-to-Read book that’s perfect for beginning readers! Strega Nona is babysitting twins for the day. Bambolona and Big Anthony help too. The twins, on the other hand, do not help with anything! They get into trouble everywhere they go! Luckily, Strega Nona knows what to do.
Brava, Strega Nona! book cover
#14

Brava, Strega Nona!

A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book

2008

Tomie dePaola’s Strega Nona has been loved by generations of children’s book readers, but they’ve never seen her like this! In six spreads of pop-up magnificence, paper engineered by the renowned #1 New York Times bestselling team of Sabuda and Reinhart, Strega Nona shares her words of wisdom for leading a magical life, all rendered in Tomie dePaola’s classic style. With doors to open, tabs to pull, and a host of other interactive features, readers will be drawn into Strega Nona’s world in a way they’ve never been before. Brava, Strega Nona! is a glorious celebration of important values that will introduce a whole new generation of readers to this lovable character.

Author

Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola
Author · 167 books

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children. He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers. Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

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