Classic Picture Book: Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola
Strega Nona written and illustrated by Tomie de Paola
Classic Picture Book originally published by Prentice-Hall, now Simon and Schuster
Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.
– Robert Louis Stevenson
When I reflect on the picture books we shared with our young sons, Strega Nona is one that I recall with special affection. It is a story that can be enjoyed by a wide range of children (and their adult caregivers). Preschoolers who are accustomed to hearing stories read aloud will enjoy the humor, kindergarten-age and primary grade students will also be engaged by the matronly and generous “Grandma Witch” and her well-meaning but accident-prone assistant. 
Strega Nona was getting old, and she needed someone to help her keep her little house and garden, so she put up a sign in the town square.
And Big Anthony, who didn’t pay attention, went to see her.
“Anthony,” said Strega Nona, “you must sweep the house and wash the dishes. You must weed the garden and pick the vegetables. You must feed the goat and milk her. And you must fetch the water….
The one thing you must never do… is touch the pasta pot. It is very valuable and I don’t let anyone touch it!”
Adapted from Sweet Porridge (also known as The Magic Porridge Pot), children who are familiar with foreshadowing will correctly predict Big Anthony’s ‘mistake’ and will relish the problem he creates and Strega Nona’s fitting solution to it.
Highly recommended for children aged four years and up.
The story of how Strega Nona came to be – on Mr. de Paola’s website
Bright Hub Education Lesson Plan Suggestions for First Grade
Scholastic lesson plan for Strega Nona
Teacher Vision ‘Predicting’ lesson plan
White Swan Theatre study guide
Caldecott Honor Book in 1976
School Library Journal “Top 100 Picture Books”
Strega Nona Pinterest Board
We have Strega Nona’s Garden (I believe) and it’s such a fun book with captivating pictures. It was perfect to read with my 5 year old as we prepared to plant our garden this past spring. I will have to look out for this book at our library.