Pistes d'exploration

Discuss the story and why you think Big Anthony disobeyed the rules. What would have been another appropriate consequence for his crime?

Make a story map which identifies the problem, solution, setting and characters.

Write another adventure story about Big Anthony or Strega Nona.

Re-read the story aloud with a friend and record it as a podcast.

Compare Strega Nona to witches in other folk tales. How does Anthony’s punishment fit his crime? What happens when you disobey rules at home or at school?

Make a story map which includes the setting, characters, problem, solution and ending.

Write a storyboard for a folk tale you could create, using this story as a model.

Rocksy

Mots-clés

Picture book , consequences , folktales , food , Italy , magic , respect , witches

Commentaire descriptif

Big Anthony has been hired by Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) to help around the house while the townspeople descend on her for her trademark potions and cures. But when he discovers the magic pot that cooks pasta by itself, Big Anthony ignores her warnings not to touch it. Unaware of the magic words needed to stop the pot from producing more and more pasta, he gets himself and the town all tangled up in a stringy mess. DePaola’s illustrations in a gentle rustic colour palette depict village life evocative of old-world Italy. The endearing image of Strega Nona in an old-fashioned apron and head scarf will reassure children who might be apprehensive of a book with a witch as protagonist. More image than text, the book pairs its narrative with a series of consecutive panels on some pages and a single representative illustration on others, a visual format that works well for emergent readers. Never talking down to readers, this book uses gentle humour to show the consequences of disobeying rules that are made to protect people’s lives.