Big Anthony: His Story

Strega Nona #7

by Tomie dePaola

From the day he is born on a farm in northern Italy, Big Anthony gets into trouble because he does not pay attention, and now that he is a teenager causing disasters, his father sends him south, passing through Calabria, Pisa, Roma, Napoli, and other cities.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Italy, Humor, Fantasy, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 1998

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to Strega Nona, my favourite picture book by Tomie dePaola, Big Anthony: His Story explains how he got to be named "Big" as well as how he doesn't pay attention, leading up to his meeting with Strega Nona. The simple illustrations are true Tomie dePaola style, whimsical yet storytelling in their own way. Love this story!

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Big Anthony's height gives him an advantage when it comes to finding employment, the fact that he's not the sharpest tool in the shed is a problem . . . until he finds that one special lady.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strega Nona's bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, gets his own 'biography' in this seventh entry in Tomie dePaola's picture-book series about the 'grandmother witch' and her helpers. Born on a farm in northern Italy, Anthony exhibits his trademark forgetfulness and clumsiness as he grows to adulthood. Eventually sent out into the world by his exasperated family, he heads south, finding a succession of jobs, none of which lasts, due to his inability to remember and follow instructions. The book closes with an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which is at least, as Big Anthony comforts himself, not the hero's fault...

I enjoyed Big Anthony: His Story, which immediately follows the similar Strega Nona, Her Story , although I was a little bit disappointed that dePaola did not cover how the eponymous hero came to the grandmotherly witch's town in Calabria, and how he found a job with her. Leaving that aside, the story here is amusing, demonstrating that Big Anthony's failings, in the earlier books, were a lifelong characteristic. The artwork is appealing - vintage dePaola - and accentuates the humor of the many misadventures. I particularly liked the episode in which Big Anthony thinks he has caused the Leaning Tower of Pisa to tilt. Recommended to fans of Strega Nona and of Big Anthony.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt sorry for Big Anthony's family, they didn't seem to know what to make of him, or how he could become useful. But I did see their dilemma, because he is awfully scatterbrained and doesn't pay attention to everything like he should. Still, I enjoyed seeing where Big Anthony went and I would probably recommend this book.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...

[Cristina Quattrone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nonna Graziella is an absolute hater. Someone get Big Anthony the IEP this sweet boy deserves! Dang.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

HILARIOUS. Just hilarious. This might be my favorite book in the whole series. I don't remember anything about it from my childhood, but I'm sure that when I read it, I found it stressful and vicariously embarrassing. I enjoyed the story much more from my current vantage point, especially since it makes me think of a selective listener in my life. You have to laugh about these things!

After Big Anthony's family can no longer deal with his blundering, costly mistakes, they send him out into the world, and the rest of the picture book tours different parts of Italy as Big Anthony continues to get into trouble wherever he goes. (The page where Vesuvius erupts made me laugh out loud. As Big Anthony says, at least this wasn't his fault!) This is a great book for people who are interested in folk tales and Italian culture, and even though Big Anthony experiences rejection throughout the book, the story ends happily, as the ever-patient Strega Nona takes him in as her assistant. Families who deal with ADHD or similar issues might especially appreciate this story.

[Kinnley Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Anthony is a story of a boy who has trouble remembering and following instructions. As he grows into his own, he has to move into the real world and become a productive member of society. Unfortunately, everywhere he goes he has trouble doing what he is told. This book is the prequel to Strega Nona: Her Story, also by Tomie dePaola. The Strega Nona series is a wonderful series that is multicultural and diverse. It teaches important lessons of friendship and friendly love. Great to read aloud to young students learning to read.

[Caroline Freeman]

Loved this book. Could be used for multicultural, students could locate all the places mentioned on the map and could discuss differences in culture. Also a great lesson about paying attention and keep trying. Also, need to pay attention to the pictures they tell some of the story. And it goes on with a fav. of mine.... Strega Nona. I very much enjoyed this book!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't tell him I said so, but my nephew is sort of similar to Big Anthony. He doesn't listen and everything he does is like a wrecking ball. He wont wear a jacket in winter, because he loses them at school. He can't keep track. I think big Anthony had ADHD before they knew what to do with someone like that.

Big Anthony only hears part of what you say and then he does usually the opposite of what you tell him. We see his birth to when he knocks on Strega's door. His family are nearly ruined due to Anthony and they've had enough. They tell him to go seek his fortune in the world. We take a tour of Italy and see the havoc Anthony makes in the country. He thinks he caused the Pisa Tower to lean, so he fixes it and so on.

I was so relieved when he knocked on Strega's door and knew this poor kid had a home, not that I would want him around messing things up. You can't tell Anthony, you have to show him.

The artwork is pure Strega Nona. The countryside is beautiful and the cities look grand. What's not to love.

I think I have two books left in the series.

This is a classic, any kid should enjoy this.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the first page of introductory words, and the first gorgeous illustration, Tomie dePaola invites us to join his community... from Italy, in the olden days.

No matter where our own family roots come from, it's so easy to join in and care about the family, the christening of baby Anthony, and all the rest.

Yet, by the time I finished this book....

MY OPINION

I didn't find this story as satisfying as all the other books I've read from this author. Maybe that's because I've known people who were just 10% as annoying as Anthony, and that was enough for me. Still, this picture book leaves me with the sense that humanity will survive.

Maybe that's the point?"

[Laurie Clary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to Big Anthony! He is a bit clumsy and can't seem to do anything right, you can't help but love him. As a teacher, I use the book Big Anthony: His Story in a lesson about character traits. Anthony is a baby when this story begins and we learn about his many adventures as he grows into a young man, if only he could pay attention....and not be so clumsy....haha. I also like to discuss the theme of never giving up, to keep on trying, even when it's not easy...to be Anthony.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always telling people how I feel like Big Anthony (or at least recently) when I see a giant bowl of thin angel hair pasta. I just wanna dive in. Which is why I grabbed this book on the shelf while shelving at work plus a couple others. Just wanted to revisit dePaola's art for nostalgia reasons and because it's clever and expressive. I love the pages in this book where the conclusion drawn needs no words.

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good tour of (nearly) all the cities in Italy that American tourists frequent. ;) Excepting Venice, which is not featured. Anthony first visits Pisa, then Florence (Firenze), then Rome (Roma), and finally Naples (Napoli). Eventually, he must find his way over to Calabria, where we know Strega Nona lives, but this tale doesn't stretch that far.

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. I loved reading about Big Anthony's journey through Italy from a clumsy baby to the mischievous young man he turned out to be. Poor Anthony, his own parents ran out of patience with him! Lol
At least he found a home with Strega Nona haha

[MaryAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back story on a reoccurring character. It has whimsy, adventure and some classic descriptions of how people with ADHD, young and old, can get into trouble &/or be misunderstood. Luckily for Big Anthony his story continues to improve.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s great to see a back story to characters, their origin story. Makes the other tales more complex and relatable. Big Anthony really needs to ask clarifying questions and you’d think his family would learn to be very specific with Anthony before kicking him out.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see that a lot of people didn't like this book as much as the original Strega Nona. I, on the other hand, thought that it was great and my kids and I really enjoyed having the background on Big Anthony's big heart and slow manner.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a humorous tale with pleasant illustrations, and it's always fun to link a series together. I did notice that in this story, Big Anthony seems a bit flighty and forgetful. In Strega Nonna, his spaghetti caper seemed to be willful disobedience.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helps to understand Big Anthony better! I am so glad we read it.

[Bari · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a book by Tomie dePaola

[Milton Public · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's abouta timea!
Big Anthony has been lovably messing things up for Strega Nona for so long that he needs his owna backstory. The public makes a demanda!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! Great moral! Good book about Italy, too.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing Big Anthony’s story made him more endearing than before.

[Lisa McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kid Reviews:

Thoughts after reading:
9yo: Maybe Big Anthony just can't hear.

[Mellanie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Anthony is the Amelia Bedelia of Italy.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Italian Amelia Bedelia. While I enjoyed the story, my child found Big Anthony more frustrating than funny.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much humor and fun!

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Anthony's story from birth, to being a clumsy child, to being an teenager who can't focus, to meeting Strega Nona. Wordy. Has a simple, old world charm.

[Chuck Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely read Strega Nona first.

[Juliana Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a little long. I like how it went to different historical sites in different Italian cities.