Angelina, contradicting the “opposites attract” theory of love, is enamored of the equally self-absorbed, Hugo. Mia Madre! The poor duo is co opted into constructing a flowery love shrine to the man Angelina is smitten with. Sound familiar? Which is the real witch as far as insensitivity to the feelings of others becomes clearer as Angelina commandeers the services of Strega Nona’s friend, Bambolona, that recurring big baby doll of a character, as her maid and the bumbling Big Anthony as her footman. She has come for a visit to Calabria and Nona, because Angelina’s father, a cousin of Strega Nona’s, can do nothing with her. This book finds the beloved Strega Nona dealing with the narcissistic Angelina. Hence Tomie’s success with the picture book genre because you are talking about an author whose favorite holiday is Christmas! He has “the touch” as they say, to communicate with the young and the young at heart. Children can sniff out the insincere a mile away.

In order to write for children, you have to be able to tap into the heart of childhood and the hows and whys of the way in which children think and feel. His original “Strega Nona” and “Tomie de Paola’s Mother Goose” are both on that top 100 list and there is a good reason why. Originally published in 2013, “Strega Nona Does It Again.” is a noteworthy addition to the Strega Nona legendary Grandma Witch and her problem solving abilities. The New York Public Library recently printed its list of the top 100 Children’s books of the last 100 years and guess who, not surprisingly, is on that list not once, but twice! Yes, it’s the loveable cherub himself, Tomie De Paola. Strega Nona Does It Again! By Tomie de Paola

Strega Nona by Paola Tomie de