Strega+Nona+Meets+Her+Match

Jessica Ruiz

__**Strega Nona Meets Her Match**__
By: Tomie dePaola



Strega Nona: Meets Her Match Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of The Putnam and Grosset Group Publication Date: 1993 ISBN: 0-399-22421-1 Genre: Children’s literature
 * Book Information:**

Tomie dePaola was born September 15 in Meriden Connecticut. He Has been writing and publishing for more than forty years, he is best known for his work in children’s writing such as the series of Strega Nona, 26 Fairmount Ave, Christmas Remembered and many more. He has won awards such as the Smithson Medal, Kerlan Medal, and the Regina Medal. He currently lives in New London, New Hampshire with his dog Brontë, who is an Airedale terrier.
 * Tomie dePaola:**

Strega Nona is the story of a woman who is the curer of all things such as, warts, headaches, love sickness, in her village of Calabria**.** With the help of Big Anthony and Bambolona, Strega Nona is able to help her people with their issues, but when her friend, Amelia arrives, things begin to change. Amelia is overwhelmed with the fact that Strega Nona uses the old ways to cure her people and she opens her own business, but will she prevail?
 * Summary:**

Growing up, my mother always read to me the stories of Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) which I have always adored. Tomie dePaola’s writing is simple, so that children could easily understand, but behind the words there is always a message to be learned. In this story, it is about how sometimes the old ways of doing things are better and should never be lost. What I also liked is that he incorporates Italian words like, “un buon numero di client,” (a great many customers) so while reading the kids are also learning about another language. For students who are just beginning to read, the illustrations do a wonderful job of capturing the text, so if a student is confused they can always look to the pictures for a better understanding.
 * Book Review:**

I would use this book to teach my students about the plot development. The story would be a good way for students to comprehend what happened in sequential order, such as what happened first, what was the climax and how did the story end. So first we are introduced to Strega Nona and what she does and that her friend Amelia will be paying her a visit. The climax is when Amelia opens her own cure shop and it ends when Amelia leaves because her work is no longer needed because the villagers love the old way. The illustrations also help reinforce what is happening in the story which will helpful for those students who may have difficulty reading and comprehending.
 * Analysis:**

http://katezreflections.blogspot.com/2012/01/strega-nona-unit.html
 * Related links:**