Strega Nona Tomie dePaola – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Strega Nona Tomie dePaola

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book1975

72%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

A lovable grandma witch's magic pasta pot goes haywire in this cozy 1975 Caldecott Honor folktale—charming but showing its age.

Strega Nona Tomie dePaola

book

1975

72%

WISE Score

4.9

Amazon

A lovable grandma witch's magic pasta pot goes haywire in this cozy 1975 Caldecott Honor folktale—charming but showing its age.

4.9

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Screenwise Verdict

Strega Nona is a legit classic for a reason—the pasta-flood premise is absurd and funny, the art is distinctive, and it teaches a solid lesson about following instructions without being a drag. The 4.9 Amazon rating shows it's still beloved by many families.

But let's be real: this book is 50 years old and it shows. The pacing is slow, the illustrations have that muted 70s folk-art vibe that some kids love and others find boring, and the whole 'servant disobeys grandma witch' setup feels a bit dated. Modern picture books are punchier and more visually dynamic.

If you're building a classic picture book collection or your kid loves gentle folktales, this is a solid pick. If your kid is used to Dog Man and The Bad Guys, they might not have the patience for Strega Nona's slower rhythm. It's a nice book, but not essential unless you're specifically seeking out vintage Caldecott winners.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8. The simple plot, repetitive magic verse, and colorful illustrations work perfectly for preschool through early elementary. Older kids will likely find it too babyish, and the 1970s pacing won't hold their attention.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A warm, humorous folktale that models consequences without being harsh. Big Anthony's disobedience leads to chaos, but the resolution is gentle and the overall tone is playful rather than punitive. The village setting and Strega Nona's nurturing character create a cozy, emotionally healthy atmosphere. Loses a few points for the slightly dated 'servant gets punished' dynamic, but it's handled lightheartedly.

Imaginative

A magical pasta pot that produces endless food is a delightfully absurd premise that sparks imagination. The Italian village setting with its 'Grandma Witch' and simple magic verse invites kids to imagine their own magical scenarios. The illustrations are distinctive with dePaola's folk-art style. However, it's a fairly straightforward retelling of an old tale without deep world-building or open-ended creative prompts for readers.

Safe

Extremely safe content. The main 'conflict' is a pasta flood, which is comedic rather than scary. The 'witch' character is benevolent (she's the town healer and helper). Common Sense Media confirms it's a simple, fun story with no concerning content. The only minor caveat: some religious groups have challenged it for featuring a 'witch,' though she's portrayed entirely positively. No violence, scary imagery, or inappropriate themes.

Enriching

Teaches a classic lesson about listening to instructions and respecting boundaries, plus consequences for showing off. The Italian cultural elements (Calabrian setting, musical Italian phrases) provide gentle exposure to another culture. The cause-and-effect plot is clear for young readers. However, the enrichment is fairly surface-level—it's entertaining moral instruction rather than deep cognitive or emotional growth. The 4.9 Amazon rating suggests it's beloved, but it's not particularly challenging or thought-provoking.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely funny premise: a magic pot that won't stop making pasta floods an entire village
Teaches consequences and listening to instructions without being preachy or scary
Warm introduction to Italian culture and folktale traditions with musical Italian phrases throughout
Caldecott Honor book with distinctive folk-art illustrations that have a nostalgic, handmade quality
Perfect length for bedtime—not too short, not too long, with satisfying repetition

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'witch' label has made some religious families uncomfortable, though Strega Nona is entirely kind and helpful (she's the town healer)
Very 1975 in pacing and illustration style—modern kids may find it slow or old-fashioned compared to current picture books
Big Anthony's punishment (eating all the pasta) is played for laughs but is still a 'servant gets disciplined' dynamic
Some Goodreads reviewers note it's not super engaging for older kids—this is firmly early elementary territory

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Big Anthony wanted to show everyone the magic pot, even though Strega Nona told him not to?"
"What would you do if you had a magic pot that made your favorite food? When would you stop it?"
"Strega Nona is called a 'witch' but she helps everyone in town. What makes someone helpful vs. scary?"
"Do you think eating all that pasta was a fair punishment? What else could Strega Nona have done?"

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