Share your thoughts in a quick Shelf Talk!
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
In a sun-washed Italian village, a wise woman’s magic pasta pot promises plenty—until someone can’t resist trying it out. Brimming with folklore charm and gentle humor, Strega Nona is a delicious tale about respect, responsibility, and a lot of spaghetti.
Have you read this book? Share what you liked (or didn’t), and we’ll use your answers to recommend your next favorite read!
Love Strega Nona but not sure what to read next?
These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for Strega Nona below.
In Strega Nona, did you enjoy ...
... a kindly witch whose simple spells lead to big, funny consequences?
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
If Big Anthony’s pasta-pot fiasco made you grin, you’ll love the breezy mishaps in Room on the Broom. A friendly witch keeps losing her hat, bow, and wand, picking up new animal friends along the way, and caps it all with a cheerful spell that saves them from a dragon—much like Strega Nona’s gentle magic that can get out of hand and then set things right.
... playful, subversive humor that winks at classic tales while staying kid-friendly?
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka
If you chuckled at Big Anthony’s blunders and the town’s pasta flood in Strega Nona, you’ll appreciate the sly humor here. Told from the Wolf’s point of view, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! turns a familiar tale on its head—sneezes, pig houses, and all—with the same wink-and-smile tone that makes mischief feel fun (and a little bit wise).
... a clear, gentle lesson about honesty and consequences told like a timeless folktale?
The Empty Pot by Demi
If Strega Nona’s final lesson to Big Anthony—making him finish every last noodle—stuck with you, The Empty Pot delivers that same satisfying moral clarity. When Ping returns an empty flower pot to the Emperor, his honesty becomes the heart of the story, echoing Strega Nona’s warm, folktale-style justice.
... a cozy, small-town feel centered on everyday friendship and small, meaningful stakes?
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
If you loved the intimate village rhythms around Strega Nona’s cottage—the visits, the remedies, the gossip—you’ll enjoy the gentle pace of Frog and Toad Are Friends. Stories like the search for a missing button or sharing a plate of cookies carry that same small, comforting scale and heart.
... a mentor guiding a well-meaning novice to respect the rules of magic?
The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol
If Strega Nona’s warnings to Big Anthony about the pasta pot—and the lesson he learns—appealed to you, meet Arianwyn. After flubbing her witch’s assessment, she’s sent to the town of Lull, where she faces tricky glyph spells and troublesome creatures. Like Big Anthony, she learns responsibility the hard way, under the shadow of wiser magic.
Unlock your personalized book recommendations! Just take a quick Shelf Talk for Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola. It’s only a few questions and takes less than a minute.