Customer Reviews

Strega Nona's Harvest

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Strega Nona has been a long time favorite for many children, and I was tickled to see a new volume arrive. As expected, the illustrations are charming. We see Big Anthony, Stega Nona, Bambalona, the villagers, the sisters and the priest in here, but the element of mischief is a little weak. In the other books in the series Big Anthony gets himself into major trouble and Strega Nona must bail him out. Perhaps the intention in this book was to show him having finally gained some wisdom, but his character feels a little different, and I wonder how the children will react to that. From a teaching standpoint, the book has potential. The differences in Big Anthony in the earlier books could actually lead to some good discussions, since he tricks Strega Nona in this story. There is also an open ending, which can lead to some predictions from the children.

It's definitely worth adding to the series for a fall story.

My 2nd grade son is a huge fan of the Strega Nona and Big Anthony books. This book was no exception; he loved it!

Spingtime had arrived and it was time for Strega Nona to think about her garden. Her seeds had been hiding in a dark cupboard all winter because "they had to rest . . . so they will be able to do their job when we plant them in the garden." Big Anthony and Bambolona were very interested in the garden and wondered when the seeds would be planted. She said that "la luna-the moon" would tell her that information and then they would plant an orderly garden. Strega Nona had a garden book ("libro di giardino") she consulted so she would be able to see where each vegetable was planted so she could rotate her crop and protect the soil.

"O Bella Luna, smile on me,
And on the seeds I sow,
And let the moonbeams shine from thee,
To make my garden really grow."

It was Big Anthony's job so spread the compost and manure and so he "put a clothespin on his nose and did his job." It was time to plant and everyone was excited, but when Bambolona started bossing Big Anthony around because he didn't plant straight rows he got upset and decided to plant his own secret garden. He wasn't as careful and when it started to grow it was a big mess. At the end of the harvest Strega Nona carefully filled her rafters and root cellar with the bounty. All of a sudden her doorstep was full of vegetables. Many of the gardens did not produce that year and when she took the extra to the Sisters at the convent they were very pleased, but who was bringing all those vegetables?

This lovely book was a gentle lesson book on how to treat the environment well and grow a "perfect" little garden. The text and the illustrations teach young children the benefits of taking care of seeds during the winter, crop rotation, proper fertilization, a good time to plant seeds, the importance of watering the plants, storing the harvest and last, but not least, the importance of sharing one's bounty. I loved certain sections like the page where seeds are placed in bowls, labels and have illustrations of what they are. The book has a cute little twist at the end that will make the reader smile. This is the perfect book for the young, aspiring gardener!