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Strega Nona #2
Big Anthony and the Magic Ring
When springtime arrives in the little town of Calabria, Strega Nona notices that her helper Big Anthony is less attentive than usual to his chores. 'What you need is a little Night Life,' she advises him.
Paperback
First published April 25, 1979
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About the author
Tomie dePaola
451 books908 followersTomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 1, 2019
Strega Nona and Big Anthony are back in another hilarious book! When will Big Anthony learn to leave Strega Nona's magical items alone?
January 6, 2024
Four and a half.. My absolute favorite of Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona series. Big Anthony discovers the powers of Springtime, Amore, and a little Night Life.
May 28, 2013
I have been reading the “Strega Nona” series ever since I was a child and I have enjoyed the series ever since! Now, I have read the sequel to “Strega Nona,” “Big Anthony and the Magic Ring” by Tomie dePaola and it is just as hilarious as the first book! In this tale, Big Anthony gets into big trouble when he messes with Strega Nona's magic ring in order to have a little night life! “Big Anthony and the Magic Ring” is an instant treat for children young and old!
Oh my goodness! I never would have thought that the sequel to “Strega Nona” would be so hilarious! Tomie dePaola has done an excellent job at both writing and illustrating this book and I thought that Tomie dePaola's writing is beyond hilarious! I always loved the way that Big Anthony always seem so forgetful whenever he is doing work for Strega Nona, but whenever he comes to discovering one of Strega Nona's magical objects that might benefit him and he has to recite a chant to activate the magical object, he can really memorize those verses! I also loved the way that all the women in the village square started chasing after Big Anthony once he became “handsome” since it was so hilarious at seeing Big Anthony being chased by all the women of the village! I loved the way that Tomie dePaola incorporated various Italian words and phrases into this story such as “caro” and “un momento” into this story as it truly gave this story an Italian flare and it really helped me understand about the Italian language. Tomie dePaola's illustrations are extremely hilarious and my favorite illustrations were of Big Anthony turning into a handsome man as he truly looked like a prince that came out of fairy tales as his brown and unattractive shoes becomes beautiful tall boots and his mattered blond hair becomes elegantly combed out.
Overall, “Big Anthony and the Magic Ring” is a brilliant book for fans of the “Strega Nona” series and for children who enjoy reading Italian folktales. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since smaller children might have trouble understanding the Italian language used in this book.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Oh my goodness! I never would have thought that the sequel to “Strega Nona” would be so hilarious! Tomie dePaola has done an excellent job at both writing and illustrating this book and I thought that Tomie dePaola's writing is beyond hilarious! I always loved the way that Big Anthony always seem so forgetful whenever he is doing work for Strega Nona, but whenever he comes to discovering one of Strega Nona's magical objects that might benefit him and he has to recite a chant to activate the magical object, he can really memorize those verses! I also loved the way that all the women in the village square started chasing after Big Anthony once he became “handsome” since it was so hilarious at seeing Big Anthony being chased by all the women of the village! I loved the way that Tomie dePaola incorporated various Italian words and phrases into this story such as “caro” and “un momento” into this story as it truly gave this story an Italian flare and it really helped me understand about the Italian language. Tomie dePaola's illustrations are extremely hilarious and my favorite illustrations were of Big Anthony turning into a handsome man as he truly looked like a prince that came out of fairy tales as his brown and unattractive shoes becomes beautiful tall boots and his mattered blond hair becomes elegantly combed out.
Overall, “Big Anthony and the Magic Ring” is a brilliant book for fans of the “Strega Nona” series and for children who enjoy reading Italian folktales. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since smaller children might have trouble understanding the Italian language used in this book.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
July 27, 2020
Spring has come, and Big Anthony is feeling a bit fuzzy-headed in this sequel to the Caldecott Honor-winning
Strega Nona
. Advised by his employer to go into town and enjoy some night life, Big Anthony doesn't feel particularly motivated. Then he witnesses Strega Nona using her magic ring to transform herself into a beauty, trotting off to enjoy the tarantella. No sooner has Strega Nona gone off, than Big Anthony takes her ring and tries the same thing. Now a desperately handsome man, he finds that all that attention can have its downside. Will Strega Nona arrive in time to save him from his folly...?
It's another delightful adventure with Big Anthony and Strega Nona, as the witch's servant once again attempts to use her magic, only to find that he hasn't the skill or knowledge to do so properly. As someone who read and enjoyed Strega Nona countless times as a girl, but who never knew about the many sequels, I was happy to finally pick up Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, which is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor! I enjoyed both story and artwork here, and finished the book with a desire to continue on with the series about these characters. Recommended to anyone who loved Strega Nona , or who enjoys magical stories with a humorous bent.
Note: Subsequent to reading Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, which was first published in 1979, I discovered that it had been rereleased in 2018, as Strega Nona's Magic Ring. I'm not sure why the title change was necessary - perhaps to 'brand' this as a Strega Nona book? - but readers should be aware of this fact.
It's another delightful adventure with Big Anthony and Strega Nona, as the witch's servant once again attempts to use her magic, only to find that he hasn't the skill or knowledge to do so properly. As someone who read and enjoyed Strega Nona countless times as a girl, but who never knew about the many sequels, I was happy to finally pick up Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, which is every bit as entertaining as its predecessor! I enjoyed both story and artwork here, and finished the book with a desire to continue on with the series about these characters. Recommended to anyone who loved Strega Nona , or who enjoys magical stories with a humorous bent.
Note: Subsequent to reading Big Anthony and the Magic Ring, which was first published in 1979, I discovered that it had been rereleased in 2018, as Strega Nona's Magic Ring. I'm not sure why the title change was necessary - perhaps to 'brand' this as a Strega Nona book? - but readers should be aware of this fact.
February 2, 2022
Not as fun as the original! Strega Nona is still great though, Big Anthony is still a dope who hasn't learned to stay out of her magic. I'm not too keen on the depiction of women who go 'hysterical' when faced with a handsome man.
December 31, 2020
We just loved this series growing up as Strega Nonna reminded us of our Nonnie. I think this one is my most favorite. It remains in circulation in our home library and is now being read to another generation. We had an audio book of some of the stories and I can still hear the woman's voice in my head. I love Big Anthony. He's such a goofball and so um not bright, you just have to love him. The lesson, delivered by the always kind Strega Nonna, is simple and sweet.
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We've been reading these books literally my whole life, apparently, given the copyright dates. This one is not quite so charming as the first. Big Anthony is selfish and vain but of course learns his lesson. I always teased my sister she looks just like Bambalona, the baker's daughter. She always got mad but I never actually meant it as an insult. I always thought Bambalona was cute. Looking at the illustrations again, she looks like a younger Strega Nona. I always liked how she had a crush on Anthony yet he never saw it.
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We've been reading these books literally my whole life, apparently, given the copyright dates. This one is not quite so charming as the first. Big Anthony is selfish and vain but of course learns his lesson. I always teased my sister she looks just like Bambalona, the baker's daughter. She always got mad but I never actually meant it as an insult. I always thought Bambalona was cute. Looking at the illustrations again, she looks like a younger Strega Nona. I always liked how she had a crush on Anthony yet he never saw it.
May 28, 2009
This was a fairly entertaining read. I enjoyed seeing what kind of trouble Big Anthony would get himself into and how Strega Nona would save him...once again. I would recommend.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
October 31, 2021
Ipak je danas Halloween
January 18, 2010
We really love Tomie dePaola's books and this is a fun story. Big Anthony gets into trouble (again!) and has a little fun in the meantime. It's a fairly long story, so I would recommend it for Kindergarteners and up. Younger children might lose interest. We enjoy reading about these characters and Mr. dePaola's inimitable illustrations are fun too.
March 10, 2008
Hysterical!
October 27, 2020
5yo: ummm this ring is magical... I like it.
9yo: Big Anthony got himself in trouble again! What happened? Read this book to find out!
9yo: Big Anthony got himself in trouble again! What happened? Read this book to find out!
January 1, 2025
Another story involving Big Anthony and his escapades, this time with Strega Nona's magic ring. While I didn't love this one as much as other books, it was still a pretty good read. I don't know if I'd own this one, but I would definitely check it out at the library.
September 11, 2020
I was introduced to Strega Nona when I was a little girl. I remember my grandmother reading it to me because it took place in Calabria, where her mother was born. The connection to my family’s heritage is what has kept this book very much a part of my life as I have introduced Strega Nona, Big Anthony, Bambolona and company to my own children.
Rettile Strega Nona and the Magic Ring, Big Anthony’s trademark troublesome curiosity gets the better of him again. The winter blues takes a bite out of Big Anthony and he performs all of his tasks with less vigor than normal. He is constantly sighing and out of sorts. Strega Nona, astute as ever, picks up on these cues and recommends that Anthony investigate some night life opportunities. Strega Nona realizes that she also has been without the rush and flush a good dose of night life brings. The night of the big dance has arrived and Big Anthony overhears Strega Nona rummaging through a cupboard and spies her placing a gold ring on her finger, singing an incantation that transforms her into a beautiful, yet much younger, woman. With the luck that could only befall Big Anthony, Strega Nona announces she has to visit her godchildren, leaving him free to search for the gold ring and use it so he could become the most handsome fella in the village. Even though Big Anthony has an attention span liken to a toddler visiting Disney World for the first time, he somehow manages to recall all of Strega Nona’s spells. Once he slides the ring on his finger and mutters the magical song, Plain Big Anthony is now Handsome Big Anthony. Shallow as it may sound, Handsome Big Anthony is a huge improvement to his alter ego. At the dance, he attracts the eyes of all the women in the village and they want nothing more than to dance the night away with such a handsome devil. Be careful what you wish for, Big Anthony, because all of this attention can only lead to disastrous results. He brings out the absolute primal essence of these ladies, who batter and fight each other just to graze his skin or experience one last twirl of the tarantella with this hunky stranger. Big Anthony realizes his error and makes every attempt to end the spell. Since the ring gets stuck on his finger, he has no choice but to escape, only to be cornered up a tree. The lustful appetites of the women force Big Anthony to go flying out of a tree and land promptly at Strega Nona’s doorstep. Realizing immediately what he has happened, Strega Nona acts quickly to aid in the removal of the ring and saves Anthony from being accosted. In his usual fashion, well, at least from the lesson he learned in this book’s predecessor, Anthony vows never to use Strega Nona’s magic again. Very famous last words...
This became my daughter’s favorite book of all the Strega Nona books. There are many lessons that can be learned from this book: achieving a positive self-image, finding ways to escape the doldrums and the effects of seasonal depressive disorder, valuing other people’s privacy, being careful for what you wish for, respecting the trust someone places in you. I could really go on.
Overall, I have a special place in my heart for Strega Nona and her band of misfits. What I wouldn’t give to visit her in her little house on the hill in that village of Calabria to be the recipient of one of her life changing spells, or at least, sample some of her pasta from her magical pasta pot! Love and thanks to the brilliant mind of Tomie dePaola for creating our very dear Grandma Witch!
Rettile Strega Nona and the Magic Ring, Big Anthony’s trademark troublesome curiosity gets the better of him again. The winter blues takes a bite out of Big Anthony and he performs all of his tasks with less vigor than normal. He is constantly sighing and out of sorts. Strega Nona, astute as ever, picks up on these cues and recommends that Anthony investigate some night life opportunities. Strega Nona realizes that she also has been without the rush and flush a good dose of night life brings. The night of the big dance has arrived and Big Anthony overhears Strega Nona rummaging through a cupboard and spies her placing a gold ring on her finger, singing an incantation that transforms her into a beautiful, yet much younger, woman. With the luck that could only befall Big Anthony, Strega Nona announces she has to visit her godchildren, leaving him free to search for the gold ring and use it so he could become the most handsome fella in the village. Even though Big Anthony has an attention span liken to a toddler visiting Disney World for the first time, he somehow manages to recall all of Strega Nona’s spells. Once he slides the ring on his finger and mutters the magical song, Plain Big Anthony is now Handsome Big Anthony. Shallow as it may sound, Handsome Big Anthony is a huge improvement to his alter ego. At the dance, he attracts the eyes of all the women in the village and they want nothing more than to dance the night away with such a handsome devil. Be careful what you wish for, Big Anthony, because all of this attention can only lead to disastrous results. He brings out the absolute primal essence of these ladies, who batter and fight each other just to graze his skin or experience one last twirl of the tarantella with this hunky stranger. Big Anthony realizes his error and makes every attempt to end the spell. Since the ring gets stuck on his finger, he has no choice but to escape, only to be cornered up a tree. The lustful appetites of the women force Big Anthony to go flying out of a tree and land promptly at Strega Nona’s doorstep. Realizing immediately what he has happened, Strega Nona acts quickly to aid in the removal of the ring and saves Anthony from being accosted. In his usual fashion, well, at least from the lesson he learned in this book’s predecessor, Anthony vows never to use Strega Nona’s magic again. Very famous last words...
This became my daughter’s favorite book of all the Strega Nona books. There are many lessons that can be learned from this book: achieving a positive self-image, finding ways to escape the doldrums and the effects of seasonal depressive disorder, valuing other people’s privacy, being careful for what you wish for, respecting the trust someone places in you. I could really go on.
Overall, I have a special place in my heart for Strega Nona and her band of misfits. What I wouldn’t give to visit her in her little house on the hill in that village of Calabria to be the recipient of one of her life changing spells, or at least, sample some of her pasta from her magical pasta pot! Love and thanks to the brilliant mind of Tomie dePaola for creating our very dear Grandma Witch!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2018
This book is the sequel to "Strega Nona" and is just as fun and magical as its predecessor. While the storyline basically follows the same principle as the original, Anthony finding one of Strega Nona's magic items and using it without permission, then getting into trouble, it doesnt make it any less enjoyable.
The repeated sing song spells are back and great for inviting children to chime in. There is also several Italian words that children may not know, such as the dance Strega Nona and Anthony dance, the tarantella, that open up possible lessons and learning on other cultures.
If you enjoyed the original I would certainly recommend this book!
The repeated sing song spells are back and great for inviting children to chime in. There is also several Italian words that children may not know, such as the dance Strega Nona and Anthony dance, the tarantella, that open up possible lessons and learning on other cultures.
If you enjoyed the original I would certainly recommend this book!
February 22, 2020
Oh Big Anthony, will you never learn? It's almost spring and everyone wants to get outside and dance the tarantella. Anthony sees Strega Nona go to the village with her magic ring and enchant everyone by looking like a handsome woman. Once again he borrows her stuff without permission (stealing) and gets into shenanigans. Oops. It was a cute story, very Italian to boot. I cracked up at the Cypress tree for Learned League related reasons, but otherwise I was not super impressed. Oz enjoyed it though!
October 5, 2024
This is the first Strega Nona/Big Anthony story I've read and I really enjoyed it.
Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) and her helper Big Anthony live in the little town of Calabria. Strega Nona has a magic ring that turns her into a beautiful lady and she uses it one night to go dancing in town. Big Anthony decides to use it while she is out of town and has a great time being handsome and popular, until it all gets a little too much (the ladies won't leave him alone!).
A fun story.
Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) and her helper Big Anthony live in the little town of Calabria. Strega Nona has a magic ring that turns her into a beautiful lady and she uses it one night to go dancing in town. Big Anthony decides to use it while she is out of town and has a great time being handsome and popular, until it all gets a little too much (the ladies won't leave him alone!).
A fun story.
February 28, 2025
Big Anthony and the Magic Ring is a little bit of a retread of Strega Nona - Big Anthony gets into Strega Nona's magic and gets in over his head, this time in the form of a magic ring that makes him irresistible -too irresistible- to women. But just because it's working in the same ground doesn't stop the Magic Ring from being a fun time, though I do have to admit my preference for impending doom by pasta over death by ladies. That's true in real life, too.
October 15, 2023
Big Anthony discovered that Strega Nona had a ring to make her young and beautiful so she can go into town and dance. But when he tries it out for himself while Strega Nona is away, Big Anthony gets more than he bargained for. I didn't think this was quite as funny as some of the other books in this series, but it was still good.
November 7, 2024
This installment of Strega Nona, Big Anthony sees Strega Nona use a magic ring to become a beautiful young woman and go dancing, but he doesn't pay full attention. While she is away, he uses it to become handsome but can't get it to reverse and Strega Nona must come to his rescue. Another fun Strega Nona tale.
December 11, 2017
This book is about Anthony getting into trouble but having fun in the mean time. He tries his best to find every trouble he can find. Strega Nona once again has to save Anthony. This is a lengthy book so ideal for 3rd grade and up. Little ones will lose interest.
November 7, 2019
You might be tempted to skip over this one because at first glance it looks like a long, wordy story, but do yourself a favor and read it. The kids liked it and I found myself laughing at the comical trouble Big Anthony gets himself into.
December 1, 2020
Strega nona helps big Anthony get some nightlife which is just what big Anthony needs, she uses her magic power to use a gold ring to turn herself into a beautiful women. She danced the ternetella all night long.
December 29, 2025
As it is Spring, Strega Nona wants a little night life, so she uses a magic ring to transform and dance all night. Big Anthony spies on her and decides to try out the magic ring himself, with predictable results.
August 22, 2017
Fun fun fun. What will Big Anthony be up to next? Thank you, Leo.
May 29, 2018
Good little story.
December 6, 2018
Does Anthony never learn?
February 22, 2019
It's not often that a sequel is as good as this one.
March 21, 2019
I am such a sucker for Big Anthony. His repeated fecklessness, his messing with magic, his good heart and naiveté. And Strega Nona coming to save the day.
July 29, 2020
My pasta queen
November 18, 2020
Big Anthony never listens. We love this Strega Nona book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews