(Used) Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola

There’s magic in these pages—the kind that’s been loved before and is ready to enchant again. This well-traveled copy of Tomie dePaola’s Strega Nona has weathered a few storms (perhaps literal ones, given our seaside location) and is ready for its next chapter in your home.

If you haven’t met Strega Nona yet, prepare yourself for one of the most beloved picture books of the last fifty years. This Caldecott Honor winner tells the tale of Big Anthony, a bumbling helper who can’t resist meddling with his employer’s magic pasta pot—with hilariously disastrous results. DePaola’s distinctive folk-art illustrations feel like they’ve been plucked from an Italian hillside village, warm and timeless.

What makes Strega Nona endure? It’s the perfect recipe: a dash of mischief, a spoonful of consequence, and heaping portions of humor. Children adore the escalating chaos. Adults appreciate the gentle lesson about listening and respecting wisdom. And everyone loves that pasta pot.

This used copy shows its story—a crease here, a gentle worn spot there—all signs that it’s been read, giggled over, and treasured. The pages still turn, the magic still works, and Strega Nona’s knowing smile still watches over Calabria.

Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom sharing, or introducing a new generation to a classic that’s been delighting readers since 1975. Some books are meant to be passed along, their magic multiplying with each reader. This is one of them.