Strega Nona: Her story

PreS-Gr 2-Neither dePaola nor his most famous character, Strega Nona, need introductions in the United States. This video brings the same beloved story, first published in 1975 (S & S), to a young Spanish-speaking audience. The video features the minimally animated frames of dePaola's original illustrations. Drama arises from the stirring classical background music and the narrator's dramatic reading. The Spanish used in the translation is neutral enough to accommodate all audiences. A curriculum guide includes a summary of the story, suggested teaching objec- tives, and before- and after viewing activities. An excellent choice for school and public libraries. Maria Otero-Boisvert, Criticas w (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

PreS-Gr 3-Gr 3Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona (S&S, 1975) is as much fun in Spanish as it is in English. This is the tale of a charming Italian village where a friendly witch, Strega Nona, lives. She helps the villagers solve their problems with simple magic. When Strega Nona goes out of town one day her helper, Big Anthony, borrows one of her tricks to start her magic pasta pot going. He becomes a hero in the village until everyone realizes that he does not know how to make the magic stop. Soon the town is overrun with pasta, and only Strega Nona can save the day. This gentle story will bring a chorus of giggles from any audience. Tomi dePaola's classic illustrations have been animated for this production, and the male narrator creates different voices for each character. Operatic background music adds the final touch. This beautifully produced video will delight Spanish-speaking audiences.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A terrific picture book, 'Strega Nona'--that wonderful Calabrian magic-cooking-pot tale--makes a terrible board book. It was never aimed at the very youngest children, and its lengthy text and detailed pictures are not suitable for the format. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this charming Italian variant of ""The Wonderful Porridge Pot,"" a witch's helper named Big Anthony shows off to the villagers by commanding his absent mistress' magic kettle to produce pasta. But, as in other versions, Big Anthony hasn't learned the whole formula for turning the pot off, and the town is almost buried in pasta by the time the witch Strega Nons returns. When the men shout ""String him Up!"" Strega Nons has a better idea: ""The punishment must fit the crime. . . . Start eating!"" And so poor disheveled Big Anthony does, consuming all those rolling waves of spaghetti. De Paola's gesticulating people have the air of stuffed puppets, and his glowing little peasant community resembles a folk carver's toy village. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.