Strega Nona is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. If considered as a folktale, the story is Aarne-Thompson type 565, the Magic Mill. It concerns Strega Nona and her helper, Big Anthony. With only a single "n", the title actually means "Ninth Witch" in Italian. Big Anthony causes the title character's magic pasta pot to create so much pasta that it nearly floods and buries a town led Big Anthony in trouble with Strega Nona due for his foolish observes. The book, which is likely dePaola's best-known work, was published in 1975 and won a Caldecott Honor in 1976. It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal. Strega Nona has been challenged or banned in some children's libraries in the United States because it depicts magic and witchcraft in a positive light.
Cover with correct "an original tale..." subtitle
Detail of title page of an early printing with incorrect "an old tale retold..." subtitle
Thomas Anthony "Tomie" dePaola was an American writer and illustrator who created more than 260 children's books, such as Strega Nona. He received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lifetime contribution to American children's literature in 2011.
Tomie dePaola