Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (Voyager Books) (Paperback)

~ Tomie dePaola (Author) "It was the first Sunday of Advent, and everyone in the little town in Calabria was busy getting ready for Christmas..." (more)
Key Phrases: Strega Nona, Big Anthony, Christmas Eve

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Strega Nona is busily preparing for her annual feast for the whole town of Calabria, a place readers will remember from the Caldecott Honor-winning Strega Nona. Because "Christmas has a magic of its own," Strega Nona and her bumbling assistant Big Anthony have to do everything the hard waythis is the one time each year that "Grandma Witch" abandons her potions and spells. On the day before Christmas, Strega Nona sends Big Anthony to town with a shopping list, which he promptly forgets. For the first time ever, there will be no time for her to prepare anything; Strega Nona will be alone on Christmas. But it's not to bethe townspeople bring their own feast, thanks to Big Anthony's plans. DePaola shows a master's touch for twisting readers' emotions, first when Strega Nona waits futilely for Big Anthony to arrive with supplies, then when she trudges up the hill toward her darkened, lonely looking home. The joyful ending and sparkling illustrations make this one of the most warmhearted selections of the season.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Strega Nona is busily preparing for her annual feast for the whole town of Calabria, a place readers will remember from the Caldecott Honor-winning Strega Nona. Because "Christmas has a magic of its own," Strega Nona and her bumbling assistant Big Anthony have to do everything the hard waythis is the one time each year that "Grandma Witch" abandons her potions and spells. On the day before Christmas, Strega Nona sends Big Anthony to town with a shopping list, which he promptly forgets. For the first time ever, there will be no time for her to prepare anything; Strega Nona will be alone on Christmas. But it's not to bethe townspeople bring their own feast, thanks to Big Anthony's plans. DePaola shows a master's touch for twisting readers' emotions, first when Strega Nona waits futilely for Big Anthony to arrive with supplies, then when she trudges up the hill toward her darkened, lonely looking home. The joyful ending and sparkling illustrations make this one of the most warmhearted selections of the season. (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015253184X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152531843
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buon Natale, Strega Nona, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (Hardcover)

This is another wonderful book by Tomie de Paola - simple but powerful message, beautiful illustrations, great story. As usual, wise Strega Nona teaches Big Anthony (and us) an important lesson.

For Italian-American families (and anyone interested in other cultures), there is the added bonus of having a number of Italian words and Christmas traditions included in the story - from baccala to zampognari. It is great to be able to share these things with our children. And hey, if Strega Nona likes it, can baccala (dried codfish) be all that bad?

I highly recommend other Tomie de Paola Christmas books: The Legend of Old Befana, Jingle the Christmas Clown, and The Clown of God.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great :() One of my family's favorite books, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

I love this book. My family always reads this book when christmas is coming up. This book is about Strega Nona getting ready for christmas. She has everything ready, but then something happens. To find out read this book. If you like this book also read another christmas book called The Poinsetta by Tomie De Paola.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aren't you ever going to learn Big Anthony?, December 13, 2001

By	Stephen Verhaeren (Palos Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) is getting her house ready for the Christmas Eve feast, she gives every year to the people of Calabria. In fact she not the only busy that she needs help, Bamblolona helps her father the baker out at his bakery, because the people of Calabria has been asking for special cakes and cookies. That the baker can't find time to sit in the square with his friends. And Strega Nona doesn't have time to cure headaches, make love potions and get rid of warts. Every day she sends out her dishonest helper Big Anthony to get something for her. And every day he has to change the water to be nice and soft and not too salty for the Christmas stew. And Big Anthony keeps asking Strega Nona to use her magic to do it. And she keeps answering him, "No Magic at Christmas Time". Read the book to see if Strega Nona gets the food ready in time for the feast.