Strega Nona Does It Again

When Strega Nona's niece Angelina comes to visit, the 'grandmother witch' and her two assistants, Big Anthony and Bambolona, do everything they can to make her welcome. Unfortunately, the spoiled duke's daughter turns Strega Nona's assistants into her personal servants, and begins swanning around town in a way that alienates the locals. Wise in her ways, Strega Nona decides that something must be done, using her wisdom and her magic to arrange a marriage between Angelina and the similarly vain Hugo...

Strega Nona Does It Again is the eleventh and thus far final picture-book devoted to the doings of this grandmotherly witch and her two assistants. There are also two early readers (Strega Nona and Her Tomatoes and Strega Nona and the show more Twins), a pop-up book and an anthology featuring her adventures. I enjoyed the story here, and found author/illustrator Tomie dePaola's artwork as appealing as ever. That said, this didn't quite live up to some of the earlier stories, perhaps because Angelina is such an unsympathetic character. Usually, when Strega Nona faces off against an annoying adversary - such as her long-time friend and rival, Strega Amelia, in Strega Nona Meets Her Match - the character in question has some redeeming qualities. With Angelina, there is nothing to recommend her. Young fans of Strega Nona will undoubtedly still enjoy this one, and it is to them that I would recommend it. show less

Strega Nona has been asked to help her family by hosting her niece Angelina but it turns out to be a hard task. Angelina is a spoiled brat who only thinks of herself. She is despondent because the boy that she likes doesn't notice her, only because he is exactly like her - self-centered. Strega Nona figures out a way to ake them both happy in the end.

I really enjoyed reading this book for two main reasons. First, I loved how it was a multicultural book that was set place in Italy. When the main character is talking she says a few words in Italian and then says the same thing in English. For example, she will say arrivederci and then say goodbye. Finally, I liked how some phrases were repeated throughout the book. For example, when something would go wrong Strega Nona would say “Povero mei- dear me”.
The big idea of the book is to not be conceited. One of the characters is so into herself that she can’t find anyone good enough to marry her, so she never becomes happy.

Strega Nona Does it Again is an international book. It is written in mostly English, but has Italian phrases throughout the text. Strega Nona hosts her spoiled niece for a little while and the niece exceeds her welcome. Strega Nona comes up with a plan to get her niece to go back to her own home.

I like this book for the Italian vocabulary it contains and the illustrations are beautiful. The story, however is not my favorite. I don't enjoy books that features bad attitudes and rudeness. the niece in this book is stuck up, and just isn't an enjoyable character. Strega Nona manipulates her niece to want to go back home. In my opinion, it's filled with ugly attitudes, so it's not my favorite.

If I chose to read this in class, it would be show more only to learn a little bit about the Italian culture. It has a few Italian phrases within the text, that is beneficial for students. I would have the students draw a scene using the Italian phrases. show less

Fans of the other Strega Nona stories will enjoy this one, too.