Strega Nona Book Summary. Strega nona is a wise older woman who used her magic to help the people in her village. Strega nona—“grandma witch”—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her calabrian town.
This book, a caldecott honor book, was published in 1975, and it has become a beloved picture book classic. Strega nona—“grandma witch”—is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her calabrian town. This story highlights the upbringing of the famous character that many have come to know and love.
She employs a young man named big anthony to help her with her chores.
In 1975, tomie depaola published the wonderful strega nona, a story of a kindly strega, or witch, from calabria who helps the townspeople with their troubles; Nona learns the art of magic from her grandmother, and is officially pronounced a strega. Big anthony causes the title character's magic pasta pot to create so much pasta that it nearly floods and buries a town. This story highlights the upbringing of the famous character that many have come to know and love.