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.
Young Yankel is a storyteller. He overhears bits of news at his father’s store and excitedly shares the gossip throughout the village.
One day a wise rabbi gives Yankel a job; he is to put one feather on each doorstep in the village. Puzzled, Yankel willingly distributes the feathers even as gusts of wind send some flying.
When the rabbi subsequently asks Yankel to collect all the feathers and return them to the sack, Yankel comes to understand the danger of gossip.
A delightful folktale is retold in A Sack Full of Feathers with engaging illustrations and warmth.
Heave Ho!
Written by Heinz Janisch and illustrated by Carola Holland Imagine, a refreshing and surprising story told in just twelve sentences! Engaging illustrations introduce a cat, a dog and a trio of mice. Together, they take on a tricky job and discover they are ‘up’ to the challenge. Good fun.
I hope you have discovered the not-to-be missed Caldecott Honor book, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. In Dooby Dooby Moo we once again encounter Farmer Brown and his irrepressible animals. With good cause, Farmer Brown is suspicious that something is going on behind the barn door. In fact, Duck is determined to win a trampoline in the upcoming Talent Show. He is busy organizing rehearsals of “Home on the Range” and “Born to be Wild.” This book’s a sure ‘winner.’
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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
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Strega Nona written and illustrated by Tomie de Paola
