Strega Nona: Her Story

Strega Nona #6

by Tomie dePaola

This is the beloved Strega Nona's own story, every detail just as she remembers it, from her childhood with Grandma Concetta, who trained young Nona and her best friend Amelia, to her early days in the little house on the hill and the happy moments when she met Big Anthony and Bambolona. It is the story of a most fascinating life that has influenced and delighted countless children and adults all over the world, and it all starts with the night Strega Nona was born, when the wind was blowing dark storm clouds across the hills . . .

It's no surprise that award-winning author and artist Tomie dePaola was Strega Nona's choice as her biographer and portraitist, for he has put into books many stories that she has shared with him over the years, including  Strega Nona  (a Caldecott Honor Book),  Strega Nona Meets Her Match ,  Strega Nona Takes a Vacation ,  Strega Nona's Harvest ,  Strega Nona's Gift , and  Strega Nona Does It Again . Strega Nona's reaction when shown this book was,  "Bravissimo, mio caro Tomie!" 

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 1996

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

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origin story of Tomie dePaola's celebrated 'Grandmother Witch' is explored in this engaging picture-book adventure, the sixth to feature Strega Nona and her doings. Raised and educated by her Grandma Concetta, a celebrated strega (witch), Nona slowly learns all of the skills she needs to take her mentor's place. She also learns the secret ingredient to her grandmother's pasta, and to every kind of magic: love...

All fans of Strega Nona (in whose number I count myself) will enjoy learning a little bit more about how this wonderful witch came to practice magic in her small town in Calabria. Strega Nona: Her Story opens with the birth of its eponymous heroine, and closes with the arrival of her new assistant, Big Anthony, once she is an elderly strega herself. This is the point in time where the first book, Strega Nona , picks up, making this a prequel of sorts. The story itself is engaging, and the artwork (as always with dePaola) appealing. Recommended to fans of Strega Nona, and to picture-book readers looking for entertaining and heartwarming witchy fare.

[Robyn Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young girl and her Grandma Concetta. Her grandmother passes down all of the traditional family values and beliefs. The girl then believes that her grandmother's famous pot is magical! At the end of the story, her grandmother leaves her the house and the magic pasta pot, leaving her to carry on the tradition.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have read several of the books in the Strega Nona series by Tomie dePaola, so this was a fun look at her early years. Written like a biography, we see Nonalina at her birth, as a young child, and during her school years, prior to taking over for Grandma Concetta as Strega of the village. The illustrations are colorful and entertaining, as we have come to expect in this series. And the ending is humorous, as we are led up to the beginning of the first tale. We enjoyed reading this story together and we will certainly look for more of these books at our local library.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one I was revisiting from childhood--a short story with wonderful voice and character. It is full of warmth and humor and familial love (all good, important qualities for children to be familiar with!). There is also a subtle message of there being equal honor in a variety of approaches of learning--and special emphasis on the value of learning traditions and wisdom from our knowledgeable elders.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. It teaches a lesson that academia is not for everyone and sometimes the old way of doing things is better than the modern way. For example, someone can apprentice under a great painter and learn more than going to Columbia University in New York and having a piece of paper saying that they are an artist. In the artist's case, the portfolio is what demonstrates the artist's talent and not a piece of paper saying they are an artist.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books remind me of my Nana, from Sicily and her stories she tells. I love reading them with my sons. In Strega Nona: Her Story we learn Nona's birth story and how she became a strega. I like the lesson in the book, the secret ingredient to many things in life is LOVE. I also like the message that you dont need a diploma to be good at what you do.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family loves the Strega Nona stories, and often recite the poem while we're making dinner:

"Bubble, bubble pasta pot!
Boil me up some pasta, nice and hot.
I’m hungry and it’s time to sup.
Boil enough pasta to fill me up.

Enough, enough, pasta pot
I have my pasta, nice and hot.
So simmer down my pot of clay
Unitl I’m hungry another day."

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Tomie dePaola is good. But do you like Italian witches? You will like this.

[Anthony Minieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy-Science Fiction
Awards: N/A (Original Strega Nona won the Caldecott Honor)
Appropriate Grade Levels: k-5
Summary: This story serves as the prequel to the dePaola's famous piece, Strega Nona. Nona learns the art of magic from her grandmother, and is officially pronounced a "strega". This story highlights the upbringing of the famous character that many have come to know and love.
Review: dePaola ends this prequel in the only way that makes sense--Strega Nona meets Big Anthony. This ending transitions into the original text perfectly and will be appreciated by those who have fallen in love with Strega Nona books. The prequel is just as good as the original and you can not have one without the other.
In-Class Uses:
-Use this book along with the original to teach students what a prequel is
-Provide this book to students who enjoyed the original (for independent reading)

[Erin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is delightful. I haven't read any other Strega Nona books, but this could definitely stand alone. Great Italian cultural consciousness, and beautiful story-telling.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more story about Strega Nona, everyone’s lovable, favorite witch. She is the town medicine woman and this is all about how she got to where she is now. She was born and her grandmother, another Strega, midwifed her.

She grew up and had a great friend who loved shopping. They both made great Strega’s. Still, Nona, followed in her grandmother’s path and inherited her practice. I like how Tomie told this story. Little Strega is cute.

The artwork is total dePaola. Most of the people look like potato faces, no one looks flattering. Still, it’s cozy and you can’t help but love Nona.

I don’t know how many more I have left in the series. I think I have read half of them by now. Kids who enjoy fun quirky stories will enjoy this one. dePaola fans will love this as well.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fine way to establish the character of Strega Nona... and her relationship with her more-or-less friend Amelia!

In any book by Tomie there are going to be excellent quotes. Plus THE secret ingredient of success. (And not just for a strega, imo.)

Here I'll just share one quote and leave you to find the rest of them.

Whenever Nona asked to learn about the magic in Grandma Concellta's pasta pot, Grandma always answered:

There will be time enough, Nona. Now, here's how you make the lotion to remove warts....

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Ages: 5-9

Summary: A story about a girl named Nona who learned how to become a Strega by learning from her wonderful Grandmother.

Review: An adorable tale that gives you encouragement and a heart warming feeling with beautiful illustrations.

Classroom Use: I would use this book to talk about what the children would want to be when they grow up and what it might take to do those things. The children would write about what Strega Nona wanted to do and then about themselves.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola illustrates the beautiful relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter in this story. I also LOVED that he subtly gives the message that a piece of paper does not define a person. Even people who don't finish school can become and do great things. It just takes hard work, dedication and a love for one's craft. That was my favorite part of the story and a lesson everyone should learn.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how Strega Nona was born and learned magic from her grandmother as a little girl. She meets Amelia, and they go to school together. Already as girls you can see the difference between them, but they are still friends. Strega Nona finally gets to learn the magic pasta recipe when her grandmother retires, and when Strega Nona gets older, Big Anthony comes to help her. This series is so fun, and I love all the Italian words.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved it. I really wanted to see a real baby Nona. The part where Strega Nona was a baby and she was in a warm house was the part I really loved.
It was the greatest book in the whole world.

-Charlotte
Age 3.5

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this from the library for the littles (3 and 5) - now I want to own it . . . pretty much anything by Tomie dePaola is gold, and this is no exception. My little kids are just a *little* too young to fully appreciate it, but it's one I shall want to read to them again and again . . .

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from the library, not realizing it was a Strega Nona prequel, a sort of Pasta Phantom Menace. It's fine! I liked its depiction of a female friendship that could have easily been a rivalry, but in which differences are simply a respected fact.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s picture book about Strega Nona. It is set in Italy and the Strega is thought to have magical / healing powers. A young girl is taught by the Strega as the Strega passes her knowledge down to the child.

[Louis Spirito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across dePaola's recent obit and figured I'd check out his classic. I was not disappointed. It made me recall my Nonna Gemma and her old Italian girlfriends who all seemed like Streghe to me. Nice art, too.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strega Nona’s origin story leaves us wanting more. I enjoyed the homegrown nature of Nona’s beginning as a Strega, but the story jumps from when she inherited the practice to when she met Anthony. Which must be a few decades at least. I wish there was more information there and not breezed over.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Strega Nona book I first read in a college children’s literature class and I enjoyed the backstory. The more Strega Nona books I read, the more I am becoming a big fan of Strega Nona and her world.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful origin story. I appreciate the messages about doing things with love, and about how not everyone has to get a university education to fulfill their calling and be great at what they do.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me: Lovely and cute.

The Rabbit:*asleep*

Guinea Pigs: We need a magic pot to give us all the veggies and hay we want. Get us a magic pot now!!!

Me: You're obsessed with food, you know that.

Guinea Pigs: We're hungry!!!!

Me: *groans and rolls eyes*

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic by Mr. dePaola!!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would we do without Strega Nona?

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/20/19 Read with Julia.

[Lisa McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kid reviews

9yo: Do you want to find out how Strega Nona got her pasta pot and how she figured out how to do magic? Then you should read Strega Nona Her Story.

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful origin story!