Strega Nona's Harvest (Strega Nona)

The illustrations, done in transparent acrylics, radiate all the warmth and gentle humor that have made the long-running Strega Nona series a favorite.

DePaola's cheerful story will satisfy Strega Nona fans and those looking for picture books about gardens and harvest cycles.

DePaola's bighearted witch returns in a winning tale about generosity and cooperation. When the full moon shines at the end of May, Strega Nona enlists Big Anthony and Bambolona to help plant her annual vegetable garden. After singing to the moon, bidding it to let the moonbeams shine from thee, / To make my garden grow, she adds her familiar "ingrediente segreto"secret ingredient: three kisses she blows to the moon. In a diverting subplot, Big Anthony, who wants to impress bossy Bambolona with his green thumb, grows his own (considerably more slapdash) garden next door (he blows six kisses to the moon just to be sure). In the fall, both gardens flourish, and Big Anthony anonymously leaves huge piles of veggies outside Strega Nona's door. She, too, decides to share her bountiful harvest, hosting a feast for the grateful villagers. Readers get an introduction to some basic Italian words throughout, defined within the text or, in the case of the vegetables, in dePaola's signature, cheerful acrylic illustrations. Without an ounce of moralizing, dePaola demonstrates the benefits of sharing (not to mention eating locally).

Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Gr 2-4.  While its characters are familiar and their actions predictable, this tale adds a second dimension, instructing young readers on how to grow vegetables. Strega Nona saves her seeds from last year's garden, rotates her crops to keep the soil "happy and strong," and, much to Big Anthony's chagrin, explains the importance of compost and manure in the planting process. But most importantly, she stresses the need to sow seeds in orderly rows, a step Big Anthony chooses to ignore. The results are two very different gardens, as depicted by dePaola's familiar transparent acrylic illustrations, with bumbling Big Anthony having much more produce than he can handle. Sure to reap lots of fans."C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.